White Sox hoping for Manny happy returns

CLEVELAND - Manny Ramirez officially became a White Sox on Monday afternoon, and what's not to like?

The 38-year-old slugger didn't cost the Sox any players, veteran or prospect. As a straight waiver claim, the White Sox are only paying the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ramirez's old team, roughly $1 million this season and another $3 million by 2013.

Following an injury-riddled season with Los Angeles, Ramirez should be motivated to finish strong and show American League teams he can wrap up his Hall of Fame career as a designated hitter.

And if Ramirez helps the White Sox chase down the Minnesota Twins over the final month of the season, even better.

"The thought behind it was very simply for us," said Sox general manager Kenny Williams, who also made a run at Ramirez before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline. "We not only want to get into the playoffs, but once we get into the playoffs we'd like to have a chance to do something special.

"The teams that are there have some good pitching and you're going to need a hitter that not only can hit good pitching, but hit good pitching in the clutch.

"This guy's been there and done that before and it's just a matter, I think, of him getting his timing back."

Ramirez, who has the most postseason home runs (29) in history while ranking second all time with 78 RBI, was not in the White Sox' lineup against the Indians on Monday night.

Scheduled to catch a flight out of Los Angeles early Tuesday morning and arrive in Cleveland in the afternoon, Ramirez could make his Sox debut Tuesday night if manager Ozzie Guillen determines Ramirez has had enough rest.

"We'll wait and see how he feels after that long flight," Guillen said. "We'll see when he gets here."

Williams spoke to Ramirez after the waiver claim was completed, and it sounds like the Sox' new DH is going to be raring to go.

"He's excited," Williams said. "He's a funny guy, too. He's excited and really wanted to get going, get back out on the field and show, and these are his words, he wants to show that he's still one of the premier hitters around.

"What better way to do it than to come to a club that's competing for a championship and help us along the way."

Ramirez will wear his customary No. 99, and Guillen said he's going to bat fifth in the lineup, with Carlos Quentin likely dropping to No. 6.

"He comes here to play," Guillen said. "That's all I can say. How much is he going to produce? I don't know. I wish I knew. But he comes here to play, and he'll be in the lineup as long as he's healthy."

Ramirez has been on the disabled list three times this season, most recently from July 20-Aug. 20 with a right-calf strain.

He has a flaky reputation, but there is little question Ramirez still can carry an offense is he keeps himself healthy. And since he no longer has to play left field, that should be a more realistic goal.

"It's going to be fun to have Manny around again," said White Sox third baseman Omar Vizquel, who was Ramirez's teammate with the Indians from 1994-2000. "It's always nice to have a guy who can change a game with one swing of the bat.

"It's going to be neat to have him in the same lineup. It's a scary thing to see his name on that lineup; he can still do some damage."

And -

"There's no doubt in my mind that he's going to keep everyone loose with jokes," Vizquel said.

That's where the "Manny being Manny" factor comes in.

The Sox are in serious pursuit of Minnesota in the AL Central, and Ramirez has been known to wig out from time to time during his 18 years in the big leagues. As for being a potential disruption, the White Sox aren't the least bit concerned.

"This is an easy clubhouse," Mark Kotsay said. "Even when we were bad, things were loose in here and we kept spirits up. As far as fitting in, that's not going to be an issue. When he gets here we'll make him feel welcome.

"There are enough mood changers in this clubhouse - day changers, night changers, whatever. This clubhouse can't be changed."

If Ramirez wants to come in cracking jokes and high-fiving fans in the stands like he did after making a memorable catch for the Red Sox in 2008, so be it.

"What's wrong with a little flair?" Williams said. "What's wrong with a little character and having a little fun in the process? As long as Manny plays hard and goes out there and goes about his business as a pro, there will be no issues here."