Follow up on Manny

After writing, "Don't hit one...Manny," I turned on the TV just in time to see Manny come to bat as a pinch hitter late in a 2-2 game with the bases loaded. He hit the first pitch into Mannywood for his 21st lifetime grand slam (only Lou Gehrig had more, 23). The fans went wild. I didn't.

My heart wasn't touched. It was good to see the Dodgers win another, but the thrill of seeing Manny win the game wasn't there for me. Some day the disappointment over his drug history will ebb and the thrill will return. But not yet.

Don't hit one out of the park, Manny

It's no fun rooting for Manny Ramirez any more. I do believe in redemption, and in forgiveness, but after Manny's 50-game suspension and no public evidence of apology, I just don't have the heart to root for him to be a hero, like I did last year. It's like with my formerly beloved Redskins, I don't have the heart to cheer for a sack by the guy who intentionally stepped on another players face wearing cleats.

Winning would be nice, but I can't quite identify with Manny or with Albert Haynesworth, or with the teams they play for.

Worship of another flawed hero

The TV is all Michael Jackson, around the clock. Iran, health care reform, the economy pushed off the news. What is it about our culture that makes us worship talented anti-heroes like Jackson? In sport, only the Giants fans worship Barry Bonds (but worship him they did); only Dodger fans are likely to cheer Manny Ramirez when he returns. Bot Jackson's appeal wasn't limited to ahome crowd. People from all over want to canonize this deeply unethical man.