Manny Goes Hitless to Start Rehab

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP): Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez was welcomed back to baseball with rousing cheers.   In the minor leagues, anyway.   Ramirez, easing back into playing shape after a 50-game drug suspension, suited up for Tuesday night's game with the Albuquerque Isotopes, wearing No. 99 for the Dodgers' top farm club. He played four innings and was hitless in two at-bats. The capacity crowd of 15,321 was the largest in Albuquerque's baseball history. Fans lined the walkway from the clubhouse as Ramirez entered the field. They gathered near the dugout, clustering for autographs, and they seemed ready to forgive Ramirez for violating baseball's drug rules. "People love me everywhere I go," Ramirez said before the game. "I'm excited to bring a lot of joy to a lot of people here. I feel good. I'm happy that I'm here." There were scattered boos before Ramirez batted leading off, but cheers began before he was introduced and grew louder when he approached the ... (link)