  Orlando Hudson is thankful for being traded from the Blue Jays in 2005. (Sun Media/Mike Henson) |
LOS ANGELES -- Orlando Hudson wants to say thanks.
"I thank J.P. Ricciardi for trading me, he changed my career," Hudson said yesterday on a rainy workout day in Southern California. "I didn't want to leave, I loved the city; the fans there were so good."
Two days after Christmas in 2005, Ricciardi dealt Miguel Batista and Hudson to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Troy Glaus and minor-leaguer Sergio Santos.
Hudson played three years with Arizona and earned an all-star berth in 2007 and again this season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manager Joe Torre started Ronnie Belliard at second in the division sweep against the St. Louis Cardinals.
"I don't want to knock the guy -- because he might get another job somewhere," Hudson said. "But I bet the Jays fans are happy. I bet the players are happy."
Paul Beeston, the Blue Jays CEO on an interim basis, fired Ricciardi with two games remaining in the season with a year remaining on the general manager's contract.
"I talk to Vernon Wells, Roy Halladay all the time," Hudson said. "I watched Vernon on TV. He'll be OK next year. He's too good. I love him three times. Vernon is my boy.
"I never played for Cito Gaston, but knew him well from spring training; I hope they get him some more soldiers to put around Aaron Hill and Adam Lind."
Manny's fave
Manny Ramirez grew up near Yankee Stadium. His favourite player?
"George Bell, that MVP year he had (1987) we'd always go to the Yankee games and cheer for Bell, he was the best Latin player at the time," Ramirez said yesterday. In those days, a Bell homer would prompt fans to carry Dominican Republic flags around the stadium. Was Ramirez in any of the ensuing fights?
"I'm a lover, not a fighter," Ramirez said.
Matchups
Dodger manager Joe Torre will start lefty Clayton Kershaw against lefty Cole Hamels in Game 1. Kershaw is 0-3 with a 6.45 ERA in six career games against the Phillies, including playoffs. He is 0-2 with a 5.23 ERA against them this season. Hamels is 4-0 with a 1.43 ERA.
BOB.ELLIOTT@SUNMEDIA.CA
