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Sacramento pulling out red carpet for Ramirez
Darron Cummings / the associated press archives Manny Ramirez, seen with his wife Juliana, is already creating a buzz with the River Cats minor-league team. (CP)
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Sacramento River Cats' latest post on Facebook: "It's Manny Time."
Suspended slugger Manny Ramirez is scheduled to begin a 10-game minor league stint with Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday in Albuquerque, N.M., and the club is already preparing special ticket packages for his home games in Northern California.
Barring rainouts, the dreadlocked designated hitter and outfielder is eligible to be activated by the Oakland Athletics from his 50-game suspension on May 30 -- his 40th birthday -- for the finale of a three-game series at Minnesota.
The A's announced his schedule Tuesday, and the River Cats have already been busy planning for his much-anticipated arrival in the state capital.
The limited edition "Manny Pack" ticket packages in Sacramento will include 20 or 40 ticket vouchers good for any game this season along with a Ramirez River Cats T-shirts, while supplies last, of course.
"Manny's name is getting thrown around quite a bit," said A's outfielder Collin Cowgill, recently promoted from Sacramento. "It'll be good for the fans in Sacramento to see a guy like him come through. Obviously, he's going to fill the seats there, as he should. He deserves it. He's one heck of a player."
While the A's could have sent Ramirez to Class-A Stockton this weekend and guaranteed a big draw at the gates, general manager Billy Beane wanted to get Ramirez prepared against the best competition and pitching possible before his return.
The 12-time All-Star has to serve a 50-game suspension for a second positive drug test.
This will be the 20th major league season for Ramirez, a career .312 hitter with 1,831 RBIs.
The A's signed Ramirez to a one-year minor-league contract on Feb. 20 that is worth approximately $500,000 if he's added to the big-league roster.
-- The Associated Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 16, 2012 C5
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