The Dodgers announced that they would package "a limited number" of Manny Ramirez bobblehead dolls left over from last month's giveaway with a second bobblehead likeness of the slugger as part of a four-game ticket package.
The second Ramirez bobblehead will be distributed to the first 50,000 spectators who attend the Sept. 16 game against Pittsburgh. It depicts Ramirez tipping his cap to the crowd after his pinch-hit grand slam July 22, the night of the first bobblehead promotion.
Dodgers officials initially had said the first bobblehead would not be sold unless there were extras, but spokesman Josh Rawitch said there remained an unspecified number of dolls left over. He said all 56,000 spectators who attended the July 22 game received a bobblehead and that no new dolls were being produced.
Prices for the four-game ticket package that includes both bobbleheads range from $64 to $120 depending on seat location.
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Toeing the line
Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton has had some shaky moments late in the season the last two years, going 1-3 with a 5.11 earned-run average last August and compiling a 6.75 ERA in September 2007.
Broxton has embarked on a new biking regimen this year to improve his conditioning, but he said he is also careful not to overdo it.
"You don't want to kill yourself doing extra stuff," he said. "You want to be strong enough to go out there every day."
Broxton appears to have recovered from the irritated nerve in the big toe of his right foot that kept him out of the All-Star game; six of his previous seven outings had been scoreless before the Dodgers played the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.
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Comeback on hold
Doug Mientkiewicz arrived at Dodger Stadium early for throwing drills and it wasn't pretty. He fielded balls near first base and made what appeared to be labored throws home.
"He's pretty depressed today," said Manager Joe Torre, adding that the first baseman, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, probably wouldn't return before September.
"Offensively, he'll be ready before that, but figuring a way to get from 13 to 12 pitchers in order for that to be possible, that's another question mark. . . . For a guy to be just a pinch-hitter with four guys on the bench is tough, unless they can play a position."
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Short hops
