Manny Ramirez returns to his birthplace in New York for the first time since his 50 game suspension for the use of performance enhancing drugs tonight as the Mets open a three game set vs. the Dodgers.

“There’s really nothing to prepare you for New York,” Dodgers manager Joe Torre told the team’s official Web site. “When he had his press conference the other day, I said, ‘Well, you’re going to have to do this one more time in New York,’ and he said, ‘We do?’ I said, ‘Yeah, you know we do.’

“He’s uncomfortable. He’s basically a shy person. He’s just uncomfortable, but he’s ready for it.”

It will not be easy for the Mets as the Dodgers sport the best record in baseball at 52-30. Mike Pelfrey will look to build upon his last solid outing vs. Clayton Kershaw.

It will be interesting to see the reaction that Manny gets. The majority of you in the pessimet poll have said you would not boo Manny at CitiField. It probably stems from the love affair most Mets fans have with Manny and all the pain he’s inflicted on the Yanks over the years helps. I’ll be at the game Thursday and if Manny is playing I probably won’t boo. As the saying goes it was just Manny being Manny. Tonight’s Lineup:

Castillo,Cora,Wright,Sheffield,Tatis,Church,Evans,Santos,Pelfrey