He hits lots of homeruns.

Jayson Stark really can't figure out why Dodger fans want Manny back in the lineup:

"But maybe, Lipsyte suggested, that 'something' is no more complicated than a massive disconnect between fans and media.

'I don't think fans are trapped in the righteous indignation of all the sportswriters who blew the steroids story as it grew on their watch,' Lipsyte, a long-time New York Times columnist who also has done work at ESPN, wrote in an e-mail. 'Fans understand that ballplayers have the same goals as they do: win. How mad can you get at someone who endangers their health to entertain you (like Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson)? These aren't the crooked financiers or irresponsible politicians who do deserve our anger.'

Oh, he's right about that, clearly. One thing we can all agree on about Manny: He's no Bernie Madoff.

But that doesn't explain why this man is getting such a heroic welcome back. Does Manny really fit the mold of previous baseball players whose PED stains have been forgiven? Not that we can see."

Nobody's reputation has been severely stained by steroid use. The popular players remained popular. For the unpopular players -- such as Bonds, ARod, and Clemens -- steroid outrage is just backfilling.