Seems you can go home again, to Mannywood at least.
In Manny Ramirez's first game back at Dodger Stadium since serving a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy, fans voiced an apologetic and supporting sentiment, all but excusing the star slugger for missing nearly one-third of the season.
All was well Thursday night when Ramirez's first at-bat was met with a standing ovation and no indication of displeasure from fans.
And a spot check of Dodgers loyalists showed they could not deliver any type of barb without quickly rationalizing Ramirez's suspension.
"I think it was a really stupid thing to do," said Steve Davidson, 53, of Palos Verdes Estates, "but everyone makes mistakes."
Davidson, who attended the game with his 8-year-old son, said he opposed Ramirez's violation as a father, not a fan.
"He doesn't quite understand what the whole steroid issue is," Davidson said of his son.
"Kind of bothered me because he plays Little League . . . and I have to explain to him that Manny's going to miss 50 games because he used a performance-enhancing drug or illegal substance. It's kind of difficult."
There were no banners or placards either for or against Ramirez, but there were plenty of fans wearing "99" T-shirts and fake dreadlocks in Ramirez's honor.
One of those fans was Robert Huitron, 28, of Fontana, who said "it was a surprise" that Ramirez violated baseball's drug policy "because you always thought that he was one of the guys that was above that because he has so much natural talent.
"But what could you do? No one's innocent anymore. Disappointed, disappointed. You could be a little mad, but at the end of the day you know he's a great player and he's going to get us there" to the World Series.
Before the game, Ramirez predicted he would be received with open arms at Chavez Ravine.
"I'm excited," Ramirez said as he sat next to Manager Joe Torre in the dugout. "These are the best fans in the world and they're behind me, so I'm looking forward to this game. I'm ready. I can't wait."
Torre was holding his normal pregame meeting with reporters when Ramirez came out of the clubhouse and sat next to him.
"There goes all the attention I get," Torre joked.
Ramirez also was asked whether he wanted the spotlight from his suspension to fade away. "No, actually I like it," he said. "It makes me want to do better."
