Manny Ramirez has some things to say

FROM PHOENIX — The phone rings, and the voice sounds familiar, the giggle unmistakable.

"It's me," Manny Ramirez says, "your girlfriend."

What perfect timing, Manny flying to L.A. on Tuesday night as The Times learns that discussions have resumed and progressed to the point where owner Frank McCourt wants to meet with Ramirez.

McCourt had a lengthy meeting with Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, and they are working toward consummating a two-year, $45-million contract, which still includes a player option to remain with the team the second year.

You remember just what made him so endearing a year ago in making the Dodgers relevant in L.A. once again, the last time we spoke yet another joke closing out his stay in town: "Gas is up and so am I."

Reminded now, he laughs. "No, gas isn't up any more, but the price of milk is the same."

Take a few minutes, and while at first it doesn't always make sense what the goof has to say, usually there's a message very close to the truth in there.

Due to earn $40 million over the final two years of his contract with Boston, he knows now it's not going to be much different if he signs with the Dodgers.

"Two years is fine with me," he says, and whoever thought they would hear that from Manny Ramirez?

He will turn 37 this season and had hoped for four or five years to take him to the end of his career, but now he says, "the economy is making me adjust. That's just the way it is."

But some folks, and they don't all live in Boston, believe he won't be happy with such a contract given his earlier expectations, and therefore won't put out.

"I cannot control what people might think," Manny says. "The economy is making everyone adjust. I will be happy to play for L.A., win and win a couple Gold Gloves just like Andruw Jones." At least he didn't say, "hit like Andruw Jones."

Manny's goofiness doesn't always play well in baseball, a game filled with so many serious folks, including many who make their living writing about the sport.

But in his time with the Dodgers, it became clear to those who hardly knew him previously, he's dedicated to working hard in order to hit the baseball hard with regularity.

The debate continues whether he is more into himself than his team, but inside the Dodgers' locker room it's unanimous -- unless someone is keeping quiet -- how much he meant to everyone on the team last season.