MANNYWOOD Shutdown

Weeks after removing the ever so popular 'Mannywood' signs that stood in left-field of Chavez Ravine, uncertainty was in the air regarding the sluggers final month in L.A. And for good reason, there should have been as Ramirez was released by the team and claimed on waivers Monday by the Chicago White Sox. In what many believed would be his final days in a Dodger uniform, Manny found himself pinch-hitting in a bases loaded, one out situation at Colorado's Coors Field. With a chance to get a hit and drive in a few runs that could have been somewhat of a storybook ending to his tenure with the team that embraced him when no one else would, Manny's days as a Dodger come to an end on a rather sour note.

After seeing only one pitch, home plate umpire Gary Cederstrom called a strike on a ball that appeared to be off the plate. Ramirez turned around and began arguing the call and was eventually ejected moments later. The unsportsmanlike toss from the game might have made the Dodgers' decision to release him a little bit easier as he's been notorious throughout his career for being a virus inside the clubhouse and doing his abnormal antics as seen in his final years in Boston in what became known as, "Manny being Manny." ESPN insider Buster Olney called it the most unprofessional exit he has seen in his 15+ years covering baseball and I'd have to agree.

Before departing Boston for Hollywood in 2008, Manny's final at-bat in a Red Sox uniform ended in a similar fashion. In a game against the archrival New York Yankees and their closer Mariano Rivera, Ramirez took place in a controversial three-pitch strikeout as he never took the bat off his shoulder. While watching all three strikes go right down the pipe, Manny returned to the dugout with the sound of boo's leaving the Boston faithful in disappointment.

Ramirez, who's in his second and final year of a 2-year, $45 Million dollar deal he signed with the Dodgers in March of 2009, now serves as a rent-a-player for a team aiming to gain some ground on the division foe Minnesota Twins in hopes of making the postseason for the first time in two years. With less than a month on the MLB calender and some 3 1/2 games back in the AL Central, ManRam finds himself in a familiar situation similar to that of 2008 when he single handily carried the Dodgers to the Playoffs upon his arrival. If the Dominican born slugger can duplicate what he did for L.A. down the stretch in '08, he may be in store for a lucrative contract with the Chicago based team this offseason.

While Dodger fans begin throwing away the little memories they had of the slugger faster than the team site can remove the Manny dreadlock-wig merchandise, a new chapter of the 'Manny Being Manny' chronicles surfaces. According to sources, he will join the team as early as tomorrow against the Cleveland Indians, the team he broke into the Major Leagues with. And with a hot headed manager like Ozzie Guillen under control, it's only a matter of time before the fireworks ignite between the two. The duo can either be one of the best things for the team or quite possibly one of the worst. Let's sit back and grab some popcorn and watch how this whole thing unfolds shall we? My guess is it'll end up being a recipe for disaster.