In yet another violation of baseball etiquette, Dodgers LF Manny Ramirez, writes the Philly News’ Marcus Hays “did not witness Rollins’ two-run double that won Game 4 of the National League Championship Series and gave the Phillies a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven competition. He was devoted to hygiene and dependent on technology.” To wit, while Jonathan Broxton was melting down, Manny was cooling off in the CBP visitors’ showers and watching the highlights after the affair had concluded.
“It’s really nothing different than he’s done before,” Joe Torre said. “I don’t think it’s disrespect of anything. He wasn’t going anywhere until the game was over, and we can’t put him back in the game.”
As he exited the shower room, Ramirez saw reliever George Sherrill, who had preceded Broxton on the mound. He snatched a quick view of the replay before teammates entered and turned off the televisions showing the elated Phillies and the rocking ballpark.
He remained in the clubhouse to share their gloom, even if he hadn’t shared their deflating in person.
“I think, the way it turned out, it doesn’t look good,” Torre said.
Indeed, though persons eager to clobber Ramirez should remember a few things. For starters, Keith Hernandez sipping a Bud in the Mets locker room in the midst of a wild Game 6 comeback has only become part of Mex’s legend. Rickey Henderson playing cards with Bobby Bonilla while the Mets were losing to the Braves in the 1999 NLCS wasn’t considered an egregious enough offense to keep the former out of the Hall Of Fame. And considering Manny’s past towel-related issues, this could’ve turned out far worse. (thanks to Chuck Meehan for the link)