After hosting the mourning moonwalkers at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles is bracing for the return of Mannywood at Dodger Stadium. Next Thursday, Manny Ramirez makes his long-awaited home comeback after serving a 50-game suspension for a doping violation.
It should be a seamless transition for a city accustomed to oversized public spectacles, only too happy to forgive and forget the foibles of its favourite adopted sons. Dodger Stadium, after all, was where more than 17,000 tickets were distributed via drive-through - how else in car-worshipping California? - ahead of Michael Jackson's memorial service this week.
A road trip and the All-Star break have delayed Ramirez's first appearance in front of LA fans since the start of his ban on May 7.
After a brief stint with the Dodgers' Triple-A team in Albuquerque, the 37-year-old returned to action on July 3 in San Diego before travelling with the team to face the New York Mets. Although he was ejected in game one at Citi Field for angrily throwing equipment after striking out, Ramirez played his part in Los Angeles' strong form as they approached the halfway point of the season with the best record in baseball. But the Dodgers actually increased their division lead when their biggest drawcard was absent.
Chasing their first World Series title since 1988 under former Yankees manager Joe Torre, the Dodgers acquired Ramirez last July in a trade from Boston. Teaming up with the 11-time All-Star seemed like a match made in heaven. That was until Ramirez admitted to using a banned drug used to re-start testosterone production when athletes come off a sustained period of steroid use.
The timing couldn't have been worse for the Dodgers, who had Ramirez at the centre of a lavish marketing drive. Huge billboards, bus adverts and radio and television spots featuring Ramirez and the words: 'I'm Back' were hastily replaced by the 'This Is My Town' campaign, with photos of other Dodgers players and celebrities. Mannywood - the nickname for the leftfield section of Dodger Stadium for Ramirez devotees - was renamed 90090 after the zip code for the venue's neighbourhood of Chavez Ravine. Refunds were offered to disappointed fans.
But in a stunning about-face, club officials have decided to reinstate Mannywood, 'due to popular demand', starting with the home comeback against Houston where Manny T-shirts will sell for US$30 and replica jerseys will go for US$280. Ramirez 'bobblehead' night - a tribute to the outfielder and his trademark hairstyle - is now expected to go ahead during the July 22 home game against Cincinnati. It's almost as if the Dodgers are welcoming back a triumphant hero who has overcome a career-threatening injury or personal tragedy instead of a self-confessed drug cheat, caught trying to cover his illegal tracks.