Manny Ramirez, 41, hired by Cubs as player-coach on triple-A team

Old Dodgers never die … they just come back as triple-A player-coaches?

Manny Ramirez -- the one and only – has been hired by the Cubs and sent to Des Moines, Iowa. Say this for the 41-year-old Ramirez: He’s determined to stay in the game. In whatever capacity.

This reunites him with his Cubs General Manager Theo Epstein, who held that position with the Red Sox during Ramirez’s heyday. And Epstein made it very clear in a release that Ramirez is not going to Iowa to earn a spot with the Cubs.

“While Manny is not and will not be a fit on the Cubs’ major-league roster, we do think at this stage of his life he’s a nice fit as a mentor for some of the young, talented hitters we have in the organization,” Epstein said. “Manny will coach full time and play part time in a limited role that does not take at-bats away from our prospects.

“If he shows there is still some magic in his bat, perhaps he will find his way to the major leagues and help another team, but that is not why he is here. We are thrilled that he wants to work with our young hitters and make a difference.”

Manny showed plenty of magic in his bat when he first came to the Dodgers in 2008. For the second half of the season, he was the most electric bat they’d ever seen.

But steroids and age took their toll, and Manny had bounced around after the Dodgers traded him to the White Sox in 2010. There were failed attempts to stick with the A’s and the Rangers, and a stint playing in Taiwan.

Now comes Manny Ramirez, mentor. This is all kinds of crazy, though it’s not like he doesn’t have a diverse history to tap in to.

“I’m at the stage of my life and career where I really want to give something back to the game that I love -- the game that has meant so much to me and done so much for me and my family,” Ramirez said in the release. “I know I am nearing the end of my playing days, but I have a lot of knowledge to pass on to the next generation -- both what to do and what not to do.”

Can’t argue with that.