The Dodgers have won exactly one playoff series in 20 years and are likely to head back into NL West obscurity if they don’t re-sign Manny Ramirez, but that’s not stopping the team from charging ridiculous prices for things like spring training and the opportunity to take a few hacks in the batting cage at Dodger Stadium.

(”We don’t need you, Manny. We can win it all with Blake DeWitt!”)

Last week, the Dodgers charged fans $500 a head to take batting practice and get pictures taken with baseball superstars Russell Martin and Andre Ethier. It was all part of a big fundraiser to help a worthy cause. That cause, of course, being Frank McCourt’s effort to extort as much money as possible from Southern Californians while they think the team still has a chance to retain Manny. They’re also charging as much as $90 for spring training tickets in 2009.

Meanwhile, Ned Colletti is already rationalizing not signing Manny…

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John Wooden & Vin Scully don’t usually like being the center of attention (especially when John just wants to watch a UCLA game in peace). But for evening, the legendary Bruins basketball coach & the equally legendary Dodgers broadcaster will be sharing the stage to share stories of their many years in sports service.

“Scully & Wooden For The Kids” will be held June 13 at the Nokia Center in Los Angeles, with all proceeds going to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA.

And T.J. Simers says you’re welcome. Read more…