Manny Ramirez is MVP: most valuable pledger

When he arrived, he agreed to pledge so much money for home runs, RBIs and hits, asking the Dodgers to take the money out of his paychecks -- more than $36,000 already going to the kids at the cancer ward.

That makes more than $70,000 for Mattel's with Steve Soboroff agreeing earlier to match Ramirez's donation.

"Thanks to Manny," Soboroff e-mailed, "I had to take a night job."

Ramirez met with a group of kids from Mattel's a few days ago and received a painting by Ashanti, one of the youngsters who has been contending with cancer.

It now hangs prominently in his locker.

ARIZONA BEGINS play at 11:15 this morning in St. Louis. They lose and the Dodgers will clinch the division title while driving to the ballpark.

So what's the rule on drinking champagne before a game?

RAN INTO Vin Scully, and while talking about what he might say when the Dodgers clinch, he told a great story. What a surprise.

"All year long Willie Davis is being interviewed here and there and telling everyone, 'We're going to do it,' in that baritone voice of his. 'We're going to do it.' Over and over, 'We're going to do it.'

"So the Dodgers clinch, everyone's celebrating and someone puts a microphone in front of Willie Davis, who says, 'I can't believe it.'

JEFF KENT got a standing ovation when appearing as a pinch-hitter, which brought Daily News columnist Steve Dilbeck out of his seat in the press box, shouting, "Vin who?"

THE DODGERS introduced long-time team employees before the game, mentioning each employee's name and their time of service.

"With 49 years of service, Jaime Jarrin," said the PA, everyone giving him a hand, while Jarrin could be seen saying on the big screen, "50, it's 50 years."

"They got it wrong last year too," he said later.

The Dodgers have had a lot of forgettable years, but hard to believe Jarrin had one.

THE IMAGE-minded Dodgers, of course, just can't help themselves. They showed highlights from the Dodgers' clinching win in 2004, Steve Finley rounding the bases, and the camera then cutting and lingering on Frank McCourt. It was reminiscent of Forrest Gump suddenly appearing with JFK, Lyndon B. Johnson, Elvis and John Lennon.