Ramirez has taken the Los Angeles Dodgers further than they have gone in 20 years - to the National League Championship Series, which begins tonight against the Philadelphia Phillies.

But there are critics who'd rather he not enjoy the ride.

Fox broadcaster Tim McCarver on Tuesday called Ramirez's exit from Boston despicable. Ramirez deflected questions about the comment Wednesday.

Ramirez has been labeled everything from high-maintenance to Terrell Owens in dreadlocks.

And yet, he continues to hit.

That's what Ramirez has always done, since he was a rookie in Cleveland, since he was a $20 million man in Boston and since he became a cultural phenomenon in Los Angeles the past three months.

Reasons to pick the Dodgers to advance to the World Series all eventually come back to Ramirez. He's so good, he helped carry two teams to the postseason this season. So just scribbling his name in the lineup, whether he takes a swing or not, makes the Dodgers better.

''I don't know about all that. I just know that I am happy here,'' said Ramirez, who walked through the bowels of Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday undisturbed and unrecognized in baggy jeans, a white pullover and music strumming in his ears. ''I am enjoying the game. I play hard and go home happy. If you are dogging it, that's when you have problems.''

McCarver is the latest to contend Ramirez did just that in Boston in order to facilitate his exit. His last days in Boston were ugly. Ramirez admits that sometimes ''he jogged it out'' rather than hustle.

But Ramirez has undeniably made an impact in Los Angeles.

With Ramirez in the lineup, the Dodgers' batting average has gone from .256 to .280. Runs have spiked from 4.2 to 4.7 per game. So potent is Ramirez that talk here Wednesday centered on what he won't do - namely be given the opportunity to squash the Phillies.

''He's as good as it gets right now, we have to make sure we pitch him intelligently,'' Phillies closer Brad Lidge said.

Shortstop Jimmy Rollins was more blunt: ''If Manny is swinging a hot bat, we better not pitch to him, you let somebody else beat you.''

This Dodgers' lineup bears little resemblance to the one that slogged its way through much of the season. Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Kent, Andruw Jones, Juan Pierre and shortstops du jour are on the bench.

While Ramirez has reveled in his role of hero, Rafael Furcal's return has been just as important in the playoffs. Furcal was one of baseball's best players when he irritated a disc in his back on May 5, missing the next 4 1/2 months. The Dodgers were 18-14, and he was hitting .366.

Ramirez has hit safely in 38 of his past 43 playoff games (57-for-163), and homered twice in the Cubs' brooming.

''I look at Manny in this series like Barry Bonds,'' Manuel said. ''He will make you change your ideas on things. He puts pressure on you because you know he can beat you.''