Which Manny Ramirez will return to Los Angeles?

As the baseball world awaits the return of Manny Ramirez in a little over a week, many are wondering which Manny Ramirez will return after a 50 game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's steroid policy. This evening Ramirez begins a stint with the Albuquerque Isotopes, the AAA affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, to help rid himself of nearly 2 months of rust and prepare to return to the Dodgers next Friday. The question remains though, which Manny will we see when Ramirez takes the field in San Diego next week?

Most baseball fans are used to a brash, confident (even over confident), and constantly smiling Manny doing and saying what he wants. Manny being Manny as they say. Ramirez is no stranger to controversy and has no doubt heard his fair share of boos and jeers in stadiums around the country. Manny has long been accused of being perhaps the laziest, if not most over-rated, outfielder in MLB. Manny's redeeming quality was his ability with a bat in his hand. His home-runs and RBIs, and clutch hitting allowed the Boston Red Sox to look past several Manny being Manny behaviors like constant trade demands, taking time off in between (or worse in the midst of) innings in the outfield, and then of course pushing around a Red Sox employee who wouldn't allow him to abuse player ticket allowances by demanding more.

The folks in Dodgertown are hoping Manny is the man to help lead them back to playoffs this year, and hopefully all the way to the World Series. Now the question is can Manny still be the player he was before getting busted? Is he still worth all the money Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt spent on him? When Manny returns to the lineup will he still be a fastball smashing, power hitter who can protect the young talent in the Dodger lineup and lead L.A. to the promised land? Or will Manny just be a 37 year old outfielder crumbling under the physical and mental rigors of an MLB season? Will he be able to withstand the torrent of outcry that will greet him on each road trip? Will he be able to overcome all this and just be Manny again?

Ramirez doesn't have fate on his side in this one, he need only look at two other big name players who suffered his fate during their playing careers for a possible peek at his future. Jason Giambi came clean about his steroid use and had the worst season of his career. Alex Rodriguez came clean and is currently batting .213 and was just rested for a couple of games due to fatigue. Maybe Giambi has outlived his baseball ability, maybe Rodriguez is still recovering from his hip surgery, or maybe neither guy was quite the same without a little chemical assistance.

Whatever happens in the coming weeks, Manny will have a much harder time winning back the hearts and minds of baseball fans who were fooled by his big smile and sweet swing. Other who have been proven guilty or are suspected of steroid use continue to struggle. We don't hear or see much of Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, and Barry Bonds. The only person able to withstand the intense pressure of the steroid spotlight was Barry Bonds, and that was thanks to his world class arrogance. For the time being, Manny's smile will no longer seem as innocent and his every swing of the bat will be very closely analyzed.