Manny Ramirez is scheduled to join the White Sox on Tuesday morning. He may or may not play Tuesday night against the Indians.
Having worn out his welcome in Los Angeles, Manny Ramirez heads to the fourth team in his career, and could possibly play Tuesday for the White Sox against the Indians at Progressive Field.INDIANS CHATTER
Clubhouse confidential: So far the Indians’ Kangaroo Kourt has not been called into session by judge Travis Hafner.
A shoe box is sitting on one the tables in the locker room to collect real or perceived transgressions by players on or off the field. The guilty parties get a chance to plead the case before a verdict is rendered.
Shelley Duncan has been a driving force behind the Kourt. “I’ve never been on a team that didn’t have a Kangaroo Kourt,” said Duncan. “They’re a lot of fun.”
Dog days: Missed in Thursday’s Puppypalooza promotion at Progressive Field was Indians reliever Frank Herrmann. He and his puggle, Dennis, walked around Progressive Field with a parade of 268 other dogs. A puggle is a mix between a pug and a beagle.
“My fiancee [Johanna] missed her first two days of graduate school at USC because she wanted to see it,” said Herrmann. “She got a big kick out of it.”
So did Dennis.
“I took him around,” said Herrmann. “Took him into the bullpen for a sniff. He behaved himself.”
Stat of the day: These prominent members of the Indians’ 1995 World Series team have gone on to play for the White Sox in the years between 1996 and 2010: Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton, Sandy Alomar Jr. and Tony Pena.
— Paul Hoynes
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With Manny Ramirez expected to arrive in Cleveland at 6 a.m. Tuesday from the West Coast, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he might not be in Tuesday night's lineup against the Indians at Progressive Field.
"It all depends on how Manny feels," said Guillen.
If Ramirez says he's ready to play, he'll DH and bat fifth for a White Sox team that went into Monday night's game trailing first-place Minnesota by 4.5 games in the AL Central with 31 to play.
"We're not expecting Manny to save us; we just need him to help us," said Guillen.
Ramirez has always had good timing at the plate, as his 554 career homers suggest. Joining the White Sox at the start of a critical 10-game trip, he's not doing too bad in the intrigue department as well.
Ramirez made his big-league debut with the Indians, helping them reach the World Series in 1995 and 1997. He's been booed in Cleveland ever since he left through free agency after the 2000 season.
The next stop on Chicago's trip is Boston. Ramirez signed with the Red Sox after leaving Cleveland. He was the MVP when Boston ended its 86-year drought by winning the World Series in 2004. In 2008, Ramirez was dealt to the Dodgers amidst speculation that he quit on his teammates.
"I don't know why people think Manny is a bad guy or a pain in the butt," said Guillen. "It's funny how people say 'Manny being Manny.' I don't like that. I think it's just Manny being real.
"I never heard any of Manny's teammates complain about Manny. He's just a quiet guy who goes about his business."
Ramirez hit .311 with eight homers and 40 RBI in 66 with the Dodgers. He missed a big chunk of time with a strained right calf that put him on the disabled list.
"It's going to be really cool to see Manny again and wear the same uniform as him," said Chicago infielder Omar Vizquel, who played with Ramirez on the Indians. "He's a funny guy and I've always enjoyed his company. And having a bat like that in the lineup is going to be nice."
Guillen anticipates no problems with Ramirez. He has two rules -- everyone stretches together and everyone shows up for the National Anthem.
As for Ramirez's shoulder-length dreadlocks and baggy uniform, Guillen took a hands-off approach.
"That comes from God [owner Jerry Reinsdorf]," said Guillen. "If Jerry has any problem with his hair or the way he wears his uniform, that goes directly to him. ... We talked about that three or four days ago. That's not my department."
Different story: Guillen said he didn't need Ramirez to save the White Sox. When the subject switched to Vizquel, Guillen said, "If you want to talk about a saver, Omar has been saving the White Sox for a long time. We never thought Omar was going to be playing this long and for this good."
Vizquel, 43, is hitting .288 (74-for-257) with 29 runs, eight doubles, one homer and 25 RBI. He's started 68 games, 56 at third, six at second, five at short and one at DH.
"The job he's doing on the field and off the field is terrific," Guillen added. "I'm proud to manage this kid. Kid? He's three years older than me."
Actually, Guillen is 46 and Vizquel 43, but Guillen says he has more hair.
Early in the season, Vizquel was talking about retiring. He's changed his mind.
"I'm going to try and play next year," said Vizquel. "I've been playing so good this year that I think I'm going to give it another shot."
Testing, testing: Matt LaPorta, who left Sunday's game with a strained left hip, could be available to pinch hit Tuesday.
"If everything goes well, he could be back in the lineup by Wednesday," said manager Manny Acta.
Finally: Acta said he didn't know if Carlos Carrasco would be among the first wave of call-ups from Class AAA Columbus.