OFFICIAL: White Sox Acquire Manny From Dodgers
Back to frighten pitchers who haven't seen him regularly in a few years, Manny Ramirez will try to get the Chicago White Sox back to the playoffs.
As expected, the White Sox claimed the unpredictable but productive 12-time All-Star slugger on waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, hoping his powerful bat, full of so many October swings and homers, can help them make a postseason push.
"Hopefully, he can come in here and give us some help," White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko said. "We need to make up some ground. There's no doubt Manny can hit. He makes any team better."
Chicago began a key 10-game road trip to Cleveland, Boston and Detroit on Monday night, although Ramirez is not expected to join the White Sox, his fourth major-league team, until Tuesday. They began the day 4 games behind first-place Minnesota in the AL Central.
The 38-year-old Ramirez returns to the AL after spending parts of three seasons in Los Angeles, a stay that ended on a somewhat sour note. He batted .311 with eight homers and 40 RBI in 66 games with the Dodgers this season, but was on the disabled list from July 20 to Aug.20 with a right calf strain and missed 33 games.
His first appearance for Chicago will come against the lowly Indians, the team that drafted him and enjoyed his production for eight seasons. He'll then head to Fenway Park, where he was adored by Boston fans before he was traded to the Dodgers in 2008.