PHOENIX - Manny Ramirez is back in Los Angeles Monday to renew his love affair with the city, but before his career ends he hopes to be reunited with his first love: the Cleveland Indians.

"I would like to play for Cleveland one more time, to go back where I started," said Ramirez, with the Dodgers playing their home opener today against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. "I have so many good memories there, why not? That would be so special."

Ramirez, 37, who spent the first 10 years of his career in the Indians' organization, shared his sentiments this spring with Chicago White Sox DH Jim Thome. They were teammates in Cleveland from 1993 to 2000, but each departed when the Indians were out-bid in free agency. Ramirez left following the 2000 season for a eight-year, $160 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. Thome signed a six-year, $85 million contract after the 2002 season with the Philadelphia Phillies and, after a 2005 trade, is in his final year with the White Sox.

Thome and Ramirez may each be eligible for free agency this winter if Ramirez opts out of his two-year contract. And if they become free agents, Ramirez told Thome, they should both consider returning to Cleveland.

"Manny was very sincere when he brought that up to me," Thome said. "Manny was saying how special that would be for us to both go back together. He was very passionate. Baseball's such a weird thing. You never know what's going to happen, but it would be pretty neat."

If Ken Griffey Jr. can return to the Seattle Mariners, Ramirez says, certainly he and Thome could make a last stop in Cleveland before their careers end.

"Me and Thome back in Cleveland?" Ramirez said. "How special would that be? I love L.A. I really do. But the way the city responded to me, it reminded me a lot of how it was in Cleveland."