Photo: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielders Manny Ramirez and Andre Ethier were all smiles after yesterday’s season opener against the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers beat the Padres 4-to-1. The Dodgers and Padres battle again tonight at PETCO Park in San Diego.

Photo courtesy  Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

A billboard creates an interesting effect as Los Angeles Dodgers Andre Ethier makes the catch at Dodger Stadium last Thursday, April 2. Also, the right fielder hit a run-scoring triple and homered in the eighth inning to help the Dodgers dust the Angels 6-to-2 in that exhibition game. 

Photo courtesy: Juan Ocampo

Los Angeles Dodgers Rafael Furcal takes to the air in a double play during the fourth inning of a game against the Oakland Athletics in the spring training ball park at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona yesterday. Still, the A’s beat the Dodgers 9-to-5. 

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers heavy hitter Manny Ramirez is back in the swing of the game. Yesterday, Manny cracked one over the left-field bullpen at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona — his first home run in spring training this season. It happened in the first inning with two out during a game against the Mariners. Nevertheless, Seattle beat the Dodgers 8-to-6.

Still, Manny’s performance last night gave the Dodgers something to cheer about. After being out for a week or so with a leg injury, Manny returned to play on Monday and had a less than spectacular day at the plate. The left-fielder struck out twice against the Los Angeles Angels, who pounded the Dodgers 10-to-4. Now to the relief of the team and Dodgers fans, the 36-year-old slugger appears to have his batting groove back.

No matter who wins the Super Bowl on Sunday, the Steelers or the Cardinals, it will probably be a super weekend for former NFL star quarterback Jim Plunkett. A movie deal, which involves the life rights for Plunkett’s story, was announced in Variety today.

 Plunkett, who is Mexican-American,  was raised by blind parents who struggled to make a living in San Jose, California. Plunkett went on to become a star quarterback at Stanford University. Plunkett won the Heisman Trophy and led Stanford to a 27-17 victory over Ohio State in the 1971 Rose Bowl. 

 Later during his career as an NFL quarterback, Plunkett led the Raiders to a 27-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV. Plunkett was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. In another dramatic win, Plunkett and the Raiders rolled over the Washington Red Skins, 38-9, in Super Bowl XVlll. Plunkett retired from the NFL in 1986.

Act2 Entertainment will be producing the Plunkett film along with manager/producer Richard Arlook of the Arlook Group management firm. In Variety, Plunkett said he felt the time was right to take his story to the big screen: “I would like to leave behind some kind of legacy.”