Happy Manny arrives in L.A., ready for Dodgers debut

LOS ANGELES -- Manny Ramirez showed up at Dodger Stadium with a new attitude, a new number and a willingness to cut his flowing dreadlocks.

"I feel great, man. I'm happy," Ramirez told some 200 media members behind home plate about three hours before making his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night. "Whatever happened in Boston is in the past. I'm excited, man. I can't wait. I feel like I took 5,000 pounds off my back.

"It's just a new chapter in my life. I'm happy to be here. That's all I can say. LA's a great city. I'm happy to be a Dodger."

The Dodgers acquired the future Hall of Famer from the exasperated Red Sox a day earlier, giving up two minor leaguers in a shocking three-team trade that sent outfielder Jason Bay from Pittsburgh to Boston.

Ramirez said he spoke with former teammates David Ortiz and Julio Lugo after the trade was announced, and harbored no bitterness toward the Red Sox.

"I want to say something from the bottom of my heart," Ramirez said. "I want to thank the fans in Boston. I love you guys. I just want to move on. I'm thinking Blue right now, I'm thinking about the Dodgers. I want people to judge me on what I do here, not what I did in Boston."

Ramirez is greeted by Mr. Dodger himself, Tommy Lasorda. (AP)

Ramirez played with the Cleveland Indians from 1993-2000 before signing an eight-year, $160 million contract with the Red Sox.

"I'm in a new league," he said. "I'm just going to do my best."

When asked what changes he might make, Ramirez laughed and replied: "I'm going to start maybe stealing some bases. I don't go deep anymore. I just hit line drives to right field."

Ramirez has one stolen base this season -- his first since 2005.

The 36-year-old Ramirez, among baseball's career leaders in several categories, answered questions in English and Spanish before ending the availability after less than 15 minutes by saying: "Can I go and get something to eat, get ready for the game?"

Ramirez, who homered on the first pitch he saw in his first home game with the Red Sox on April 6, 2001, also connected with the first pitch Randy Johnson threw to him in his first plate appearance as a Dodger -- but grounded out to shortstop leading off the second inning.