How time flies. Manny Ramirez rejoins the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday and it seems like only yesterday he was saying he was sorry for his 50-game drug suspension.

Sort of.
Or was he sorry that he was caught? It’s hard to remember which.
Anyway, he’s back, just like the Terminator. He’s returned, with only slightly less fanfare than General MacArthur to the Philippines. And about the fans, as the prodigal son prepares to man the post again in left field - have they forgiven and forgotten? Are you kidding?
The only reason Ramirez won’t get a standing ovation in Dodger Stadium Friday night is because his team is playing in San Diego, to open a long road trip. The L.A.-Manny love fest will have to wait until July 16, after the All-Star Game. It’ll have everything Valentine’s Day has, except roses.
We could work up a lather about how a guy who allegedly flouted the rules in a rather knuckleheaded way should at least have to twist in the wind awhile.
We could argue that rehabilitation should come in stages. Respect and trust first, before adulation and hero worship.
We could plead that the matter of accountability not be lost in the quest to hold back the San Francisco Giants.
But why bother and waste your time? Manny knows what’s coming. You know it. I know it. Somewhere, Abner Doubleday knows it.
When Ramirez steps to the plate the first time in Dodger Stadium, a mighty roar will rise from the customers in a display of mercy and compassion and understanding for their fellow man. They’ll be there to show him they’re with him in sickness and in health, until trade or free agency do they part.
Unless, of course, he’s been hitting into too many double plays or striking out too often, and then he’s on his own.
Know who ought to hear the cheers that night, to see how quickly and easily Manny slipped out of the doghouse? The governor from South Carolina and the senator from Nevada and the former governor from New York and the rest of the army of politicians who have wandered into trouble and had to trudge before the public - not to mention their wives - and grovel for forgiveness.
It’s easy to guess what they’d be thinking when they saw how the whole Dodger world loves Manny: “If I could only hit a slider.”
It must be noted that several numbers suggest how the Los Angeles lineup could use Ramirez.
The Dodgers were 13-0 at home with him and 15-13 without. Mannywood is not the same without the mayor.
On May 7, when the suspension came, the Dodgers were averaging 5.55 runs a game. Since then, they’ve been averaging 4.4.
They were a very respectable 29-21 while Mannyless. But they were also shutout four times and held to one or two runs in eight other defeats.
A few other things should be added, however. The Dodgers were 6 and one-half games ahead in the National League West when Ramirez went on suspension.
At the close of business Tuesday, they were still six games ahead, making heavy use of pluck this season with nine walk-off wins.
They owned the best record in baseball when the shoe fell.
They still do.
Juan Pierre had to play left field in Ramirez’ absence.
He’s hitting .322.
Baseball, and the Dodgers, carried on without him.
Nobody is above it all, or bigger than the game whose rules he allegedly chose to ignore.
Is it too much to ask for at least a brief pause to recognize that, before the “Welcome back Manny” banners go up?
Probably.