Ramirez enjoys L.A.

LOS ANGELES – Manny Ramirez hit the ball hard, but right at Colorado third baseman Ian Stewart. So it appeared to be nothing more than a routine out.

But instead of jogging to first, as the whole world saw Ramirez do a few times with the Boston Red Sox last month, he ran hard all the way. And it paid off when Stewart mishandled the grounder before throwing too late to first.

Then, to the shock of just about everyone in Dodger Stadium, Ramirez stole just his second base since 2005, getting such a big jump catcher Chris Iannetta didn’t bother to make a throw.

A single by James Loney drove Ramirez in with the tying run, and the Dodgers were on their way to another victory.

Manny being Manny seems to have taken on an entirely different meaning.

“He’s a regular guy when it comes to being a teammate,” manager Joe Torre said. “The thing I’ve gotten to learn about him is his work ethic is pretty impressive. He knows he’s a pretty special player. He’s gone about it impressively.”

Many in Boston would beg to differ. They believe Ramirez quit on the Red Sox to force a trade, and not long after it happened, general manager Theo Epstein said: “We had a meeting with 25 players who felt like a team. We haven’t felt like that for a week.”

Torre, in his first year with the Dodgers, said he could relate to what Ramirez recently went through.

“Evidently the Boston thing was something he wanted to change,” he said. “I had a great 12 years in New York (managing the Yankees). It was time to go somewhere else.”

Almost from the minute Ramirez arrived in Los Angeles on Aug. 1 – a day after one of the most stunning trade-deadline deals made – he’s been at the center of a lovefest, revered by the fans and praised by his new teammates.

The 36-year-old Ramirez, whose 516 homers rank 20th on baseball’s career list, has said he loves his new surroundings but won’t say he’ll be a Dodger next season. As a free agent, he could very well command a huge payday with, say, the Yankees or Mets. It just so happens he spent much of his youth in New York.

“The guys have received me with open arms, it’s been great,” Ramirez said of his new teammates. “It feels like I’m on vacation; I’m here for another month or two. After this, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m living day by day.”

Ramirez has breathed life into what was a somewhat quiet clubhouse. Asked if Ramirez had changed the dynamics, fellow outfielder Matt Kemp responded with an incredulous look.

“Where have you been, man?” he said.