Manny Ramirez finally faced his teammates on Friday for the first time since being suspended for 50 games for using a banned substance. Ramirez spoke to the club at the team's hotel in South Florida, where the Dodgers were to open a three-game series with the Marlins a few hours later and near where Ramirez makes his offseason home.
There was one report that the meeting lasted all of about eight minutes. Manager Joe Torre confirmed to reporters that the meeting had taken place, but he wouldn't get into details of what was said.
"We had a meeting that was private," Torre said. "(Ramirez) and we felt that that was the best way to do it. He was a little anxious, and it was the human side of it. He is remorseful and embarrassed. In his mind, he let the team down."
Torre also told KCAL-TV, the Dodgers' flagship television outlet, during Friday night's broadcast that Ramirez will return to Los Angeles soon and possibly work out with the club during homestands, then either stay in Los Angeles or go to the Dodgers' spring training facility in Glendale, Ariz., to continue working out while the team is on the road.
DODGERS 6, MARLINS 4: After being held to one hit through the first five innings by Marlins right-hander Chris Volstad, the Dodgers opened up on him in the sixth, an inning that started with back-to-back home runs by Casey Blake and Xavier Paul. Juan Pierre's two-run single in the seventh put the Dodgers in front for good. Although the bullpen was shaky, the Dodgers held on, stranding six Marlins baserunners, four in scoring position, in the last four innings.
