Pete Carroll weighs in

Reaction to Manny Ramirez’ suspension came from far and wide Thursday. Here’s what USC football coach Pete Carroll had to say, via his Twitter feed:

“bummer manny went that way… we love him, but it hurts… now it’s all about opportunity for juan pierre… could he be the new wally pipp?

song of the day! goes out to juan pierre: light my fire by the doors.”

Mientkiewicz reaction

Here’s what veteran utilityman Doug Mietkiewicz had to say about today’s events:

“This is a team. This is not the ‘Los Angeles Mannys,'” said Mientkiewicz, who played with Ramirez in Boston and won a World Series together in 2004.

“You can’t change what’s happened. And it doesn’t change the way I feel about him as a person, as a teammate and as a player. We’re a family in here, and one of our family
members is not with us.

“But we’re a really good team here, and Manny’s a big part of our team. But as far as the team goes, this is a tremendous opportunity for us to prove to people that we’re not just Manny and 24 other guys.”

How Torre heard the news

Joe Torre said that he heard the news a little after midnight on Thursday morning, just hours after the Dodgers had broken the major-league record with their 13th straight home victory to open the season.

Owner Frank McCourt delivered the news.

“It was after midnight last night. I got a call from Frank McCourt that explained what went on, what’s happening and what’s going to happen.”

Asked about his initial reaction, Torre said:

“Disappointment. After the elation of winning another ballgame and then to have somebody punch a hole in the balloon, it’s very disappointing.”

He did not however, say he felt betrayed by Ramirez.

“Betrayed is a strong word to me. To me betrayed is something I don’t think you can ever forgive. As I said, I’m certainly not proud of everything that’s gone on in my life, and if it wasn’t for people who welcomed me back, I’m not sure how you make it back.

“Betrayed is a little strong for me, disappointed and sadness is more of where I go to emotionally.”

Bowa “turned off” by Ramirez

The reactions all around the Dodgers clubhouse have been marked by sadness, disbelief and disappointment. All though, made it clear they felt badly for Manny Ramirez and the pain he’s caused himself and the team.

Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa, never one to hide his emotions, wasn’t quite as forgiving.

“I’m turned off by players who try to test the system, it just doesn’t make sense,” Bowa said. “I get along with him, and I will get along with him (Ramirez), just like I got along with A-Rod.

“But I’m turned off by players who test the system.”