L.A.-cool Ramirez enjoying Dodgers' success

has a slightly new look for the NL championship series to go with his reformed West Coast attitude. On the field, it's the same old Manny. He just keeps hitting. Ramirez changed the culture of the Los Angeles Dodgers, leading them to the playoffs with a dynamic performance after forcing his way out of Boston. Riding their slugger's torrid hitting and a couple of masterful pitching performances, the Dodgers swept the heavily favored Chicago Cubs out of the first round. Getting past the Philadelphia Phillies and their strong pitching in the NLCS won't be that easy. "They're the best team out there," Ramirez said Wednesday. "These guys are great. We don't think we are better than them, but the key in the playoffs is to get in and anything can happen." Game 1 is Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, with Derek... [read full story]