Manny Ramirez Making The Most Of Second Chance
PHOENIX (AP) — A bat in his hands and a smile on his face, Manny Ramirez bounded through the Oakland Athletics' clubhouse Saturday hollering, "I'm back in the lineup! I'm back in the lineup!"
Yes, Manny is back.
The sullied slugger with the long dreadlocks and red do-rag is getting a do-over.
He's trying to make it back to the major leagues a year after retiring from the Tampa Bay Rays rather than serve a 100-game suspension for a second positive drug test.
He's soaking it all in this time around, too, saying, "I'm just blessed to be here and playing the game that I love."
It shows in his work ethic and the way Ramirez interacts with his new teammates, especially Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
