Will new-look Manny Ramirez win over fans?

Former Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez is back in North America after his Taiwanese baseball adventure, but there’s something different about him.

No, he’s still washed up, but his trademark dreadlocks are now gone.

As part of his minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, the polarizing ballplayer was told he’d need to get a haircut in order to comply with the team’s organizational rules. So, Manny, being Manny, decided he’d make sure he was institutionally in sync with the franchise by shaving his head.

I know the Dodgers marketing department was great at making sure “Mannywood” was supplied with plenty of dreadlock wigs upon his arrival in Los Angeles nearly five years ago, but will Manny’s new look catch on with Round Rock Express fans? Ramirez skullcaps shouldn’t be too hard to make.

Still, Ramirez’s return to professional baseball in North America could be a short one. Ramirez struggled in his first two games with Round Rock, but he did go 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs on Wednesday. Here he is in action:

At least Ramirez didn’t have to go this route:

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