TJ Simers of the LA Times has been rather vocal in his mancrush on Dodgers Manny Ramirez, and it looks like he now has some competition in the form of Doug Krikorian of the Long Beach Press Telegram. The way these two are lusting after Manny and lapping up everything he says, it makes you wonder if something’s wrong with the jaded ink-stained wretches in Boston?

Since the others were Dodger Stadium regulars and I’ve been an irregular one, I decided it was a journalistic imperative to say hello to a gentleman who has inspired a passionate cult following in the Los Angeles basin since arriving here under the darkest of clouds from Boston last summer … I went up and introduced myself to Ramirez … And Manny Ramirez immediately charmed me right out of my moccasins.

Somewhere, Dan Shaughnessy is saying to himself: “Sucker!”

I asked him where he now lives, and he told me Glendale.
“There are a lot of Armenians in Glendale,” I replied. “Have you tried any of the Armenian restaurants?”
“No, but I hear Armenian food is very good,” he said. “I had a close Armenian friend in Boston, and he always bragged about it. Do you have any recommendations?”
“Sure,” I replied.
“Look, write your phone number down,” he suddenly implored to my astonishment. “When I have an off day here, I’ll call you and you can take me to your favorite Armenian restaurant.”
So, I dutifully scribbled down my cell number on a piece of paper, handed it to Ramirez, who carefully inserted it into his safety box.
“I’m going to call you,” said Ramirez after we shook hands and I started to walk away from my newest pal…

We know guys who have given their number to strippers thinking it was lock city … and then waited up until 6 am (clothed and ready for action) hoping for the call. It never came. Hope you’re not waiting by the phone, Doug.

Manny is my new best friend (Press Telegram)