LOS ANGELES (AP) — Amid the celebration in the Dodgers' clubhouse, first baseman James Loney wore a T-shirt that said it all: "We love Manny being Manny."

Who doesn't in L.A. these days?

Manny Ramirez came west from Boston two months ago with a sullied reputation, joining an underachieving team plugging along at .500, fortunate to be playing in one of baseball's weakest divisions.

His impact has been remarkable in every way.

Almost immediately, the slugger added energy to a previously drab clubhouse and became a crowd favorite. And despite changing leagues, he began one of the best streaks of his career — or anyone's, for that matter — in leading Los Angeles to its first NL West title in four years.

"I just came to play the game and to show people I could play," he said. "I wasn't expecting anything out of myself. I wanted to show people I could run and play the outfield and that was it."

He's made a difference in the stands, too, as the fans at Dodger Stadium who traditionally arrive late and leave early spend more time in the seats. There are more people, too, with attendance going up about 4,300 per game since the trade.

By the time the Red Sox traded Ramirez on July 31, both sides were sick of each other. Playing in the final season of an eight-year, $160 million contract, Ramirez forced the move, saying the Red Sox didn't deserve a player of his caliber and displaying a purposeful lack of hustle at times.

When the split was final, all sides were glad. The defending World Series champion Red Sox wound up with Jason Bay in the three-team deal, and headed back to the playoffs.

Now, shocking as it might sound, Ramirez is a role model and team leader with the Dodgers, hustling at every turn.

"When I left Boston, it was great. A new life. My dream come true. I know a lot of people doubt me," he said. "Whatever people say out there, well, that's good because I came and I proved everybody wrong. It feels great. I'm just happy everything worked out great."

So now, it's on to Chicago for the start of the playoffs Wednesday against the Cubs.

The postseason begins earlier that day in Philadelphia when the NL wild-card Brewers visit. After the Dodgers-Cubs, the Red Sox visit the Los Angeles Angels.

Dodgers third-base coach Larry Bowa, who's seen a lot in baseball in his 62 years, said he's never seen anything close to what Ramirez has done.

"No, not in this short a time, the impact he's had," Bowa said. "We weren't very good at scoring runs. We fell behind by three runs, we didn't have much of a chance. Not anymore.