'I'M BACK': MANNY RETURNS TO DODGERS

After four months of negotiations, the deal that everyone has been talking about finally got done Wednesday as Manny Ramirez signed a 2-year $45 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. A press conference was held Thursday at the Dodgers spring training facility in Glendale, AZ and the key members of the front office as well as Joe Torre were all smiles.

"I'm happy to be back," Ramirez said. "Like I told Joe, we got some unfinished business. I'm here to play the game like I did last year...That's what you guys are going to get from me."

Ramirez was aquired during the second half of last season and had an immediate impact on the club. He hit .396 with 17 HR and 53 RBI in just 53 games with the Dodgers and helped lead his team all the way to the NLCS. His separation from Boston was a popular story as well, because teammates were starting to get annoyed with him. It appeared at times he wasn't playing that hard and his numbers showed. However, once he got to Los Angeles, it was a totally different Manny. The fans loved him and almost became obssessed with his likeable character.

"That emotional bond (with fans) was tremendous and I think that's what you're always looking for in sports," Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said. "Manny can bring joy and happiness to people in LA."

McCourt also pointed out that Ramirez's contributions are going beyond the baseball diamond. After signing this deal, Ramirez agreed to donate $1 million to a Los Angeles charity in which baseball fields are built for children. McCourt also said if Ramirez wants to, there's the chance to build a field in the Dominican Republic as well.

"I told Manny in our conversations that we are going to put a provision in every player contract, as long as I'm the [owner] of the franchise, called the Ramirez provision," McCourt said. "Every contract will have a Ramirez provision with a blank line and it will be up to the player to fill in how much he is going to give to the community in which he plays."

Manager Joe Torre spoke to the media as well, and he was very pleased to have Ramirez come back to the Dodgers. The former Red Sox star was somebody Torre always had to worry about when he was manager of the New York Yankees. Now, the 68 year-old-manager can continue to pencil him into his own lineup.

"To have a player that I tried to find a way to get out for eight years be on your ballclub for his first full year is pretty special," said Torre, who also jokingly added,"Of course the hair is another situation."

It was a very relaxing and laid-back atmosphere at the press conference, despite just having a grueling four-month negotiation. The first thing that Ramirez said standing up at the podium as he gazed out at the reporters was "I'm Baaack."

It was just Manny being Manny.

Shawn Marosek