Manny Meets the Press

The Great One has touched down in Los Angeles.
During his meet and greet with the L.A. media prior to today’s game against Arizona, Manny Ramirez announced he’d be wearing No. 99 — the same number Wayne Gretzky wore when he played for the L.A. Kings, although Manny admitted he didn’t know much about hockey being from the Dominican.
Ramirez also joked about becoming a slap hitter and that he would start stealing bases. No mention of going for a gold glove, however. But he did say he’d be willing to cut his dreads if Joe Torre wanted him to, which might have been the first unselfish thing he’s said in three years.
He also avoided ripping the Red Sox during the press conference, but I guess he did plenty of that in Boston.
“I don’t wish nobody no harm,” he said. “I just wish them the best.”
Here are a few other Ramirez comments worth sharing, although he forgot to add three key words throughout the press conference — FOR TWO MONTHS. Maybe they were lost in translation (half the press conference was in Spanish) or on the flight back from Boston.

“It’s a new chapter in my life. … I’m just happy to be here [for two months], that’s all I can say.”

“I’m like a little kid. I’m nervous. It’s a new team, a new city. I’m just going to be Manny and play the game. … I’m going to play hard and do all I can to help the team win [for two months].”

“They have rules here and I don’t want them to treat me any different than the other guys. If they want me to cut my hair, I’ll do it. I don’t care [for two months]. It’ll grow back.”