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Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games
#539798
05/07/09 02:41 PM
05/07/09 02:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,595
fathersson
OP
Underboss
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OP
Underboss
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,595
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AP - May 7, 12:27 pm EDT 1 of 13 MLB Gallery NEW YORK (AP)—Manny Ramirez(notes) was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball on Thursday, becoming the latest high-profile player ensnared in the sport’s drug scandals.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star said he did not take steroids and was given medication by a doctor that contained a banned substance. The commissioner’s office didn’t announce the specific violation by the 36-year-old outfielder, who apologized to the Dodgers and fans for “this whole situation.”
“Recently, I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me,” Ramirez said in a statement issued by the players’ union.
“Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing; I’ve taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons.”
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The suspension began Thursday and barring any postponements Ramriez will be able to return to the Dodgers—who now have the best record in baseball—for the July 3 game at San Diego. Ramirez will lose about $7.65 million of his $25 million salary.
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig couldn’t comment on the suspension because of provisions of the management-union drug agreement, spokesman Rich Levin said.
While Barry Bonds(notes), Roger Clemens(notes), Alex Rodriguez(notes), Jose Canseco and a long list of stars have been implicated in the use of performance-enhancing drugs, Ramirez is the most prominent suspended under the drug policy players and owners put in place seven years ago.
In February, Rodriguez admitted taking steroids while playing for Texas from 2001-03 and acknowledged testing positive under a 2003 survey. But testing with penalties didn’t begin until 2004, and the New York Yankees third baseman doesn’t appear likely to be suspended.
The players’ association said Ramirez was suspended by the commissioner under the “just cause” provision of section 8.G.2 of the joint drug agreement. That allows players to be penalized for use, sale or distribution of banned substances, even where the agreement doesn’t specify a particular penalty, such as for a positive test.
In his statement, Ramirez addressed Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt, and manager Joe Torre.
“I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans,” Ramirez said. “LA is a special place to me, and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I’m sorry about this whole situation.”
His suspension was first reported by the Los Angeles Times on its Web site.
Ramirez became the third player suspended this year under the major league program, following Philadelphia reliever J.C. Romero(notes) and Yankees pitcher Sergio Mitre(notes).
Just two relatively low-profile players were suspended under the major league program last year, San Francisco catcher Elizier Alfonzo and Colorado catcher Humberto Coto.
In the past, the best-known player penalized was Baltimore’s Rafael Palmeiro, who received a 10-day suspension in 2005, the first year of penalties for first infractions.
Ramirez was acquired by Los Angeles from Boston last July 31 and became a fan favorite. His contract negotiations became a long-running drama during the offseason, and he agreed in early March—well after the start of spring training—to a $45 million, two-year contract that gives him the right to void the second season and become a free agent again.
Los Angeles even renamed a section of seats in left field at Dodger Stadium “Mannywood” in his honor.
In St. Louis, a clubhouse attendant stuck his head into manager Tony La Russa’s office and said “Manny Ramirez, 50 games, steroids.”
La Russa’s reaction: “You’re kidding me.”
Last edited by fathersson; 05/07/09 03:15 PM.
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Re: Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games
[Re: BAM_233]
#539863
05/07/09 11:12 PM
05/07/09 11:12 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,797 Pennsylvania
klydon1
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,797
Pennsylvania
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I don't believe that Sammy Sosa was clean. He's one of these guys, who had a sudden and dramatic growth spurt in the 1990s accompanied by a dramatic spike in his homeruns. He boldly proclaimed in 2002 that he'd be the first to be tested for steroids, knowing that was not possible due to the players' association refusal to allow the tests, and when Rick Reilly made arrangements for him to clear his name, he angrily refused.
There was no testing for HGH and steroids when he played, and his absence in the Mitchell report by no means exculpates him. It just means that he didn't procure steroids within the specific circles revealed by the Mitchell investigation, like Balco, Radomski, and Signature Pharmacy. Alex Rodriguez wasn't implicated in the Mitchell Report, and where did he obtain the steroids where he was able to escape detection? The Dominican Republic, which was where Sammy spent most of the off season.
Then you add Sosa's lack of credibility from the corked bat and the fib about not leaving the stadium before his last game as a Cub ended. I think it is very apparent that Sosa used performance enhancing drugs.
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Re: Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games
[Re: klydon1]
#539872
05/08/09 12:37 AM
05/08/09 12:37 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,944 East Bay
Blibbleblabble
Poo-tee-weet?
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Poo-tee-weet?

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,944
East Bay
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Then you add Sosa's lack of credibility from the corked bat and the fib about not leaving the stadium before his last game as a Cub ended. I think it is very apparent that Sosa used performance enhancing drugs. To add to that, he also conveniently forgot how to speak English in front of Congress. I think Sosa is as dirty as the rest of these guys. EDIT: Is Manny going to forget how to speak english during his 50 day vacation too?
Last edited by Blibbleblabble; 05/08/09 12:38 AM.
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want." -Calvin and Hobbes
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Re: Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games
[Re: Blibbleblabble]
#539887
05/08/09 09:04 AM
05/08/09 09:04 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,762 Anytown, USA
goombah
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,762
Anytown, USA
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Then you add Sosa's lack of credibility from the corked bat and the fib about not leaving the stadium before his last game as a Cub ended. I think it is very apparent that Sosa used performance enhancing drugs. To add to that, he also conveniently forgot how to speak English in front of Congress. I think Sosa is as dirty as the rest of these guys. EDIT: Is Manny going to forget how to speak english during his 50 day vacation too? Thanks, Blibble. That is exactly what I would have said. In 1998 during the HR battle, Sosa took every opportunity to speak to the media and sounded clear enough in English. Yet he feigns ignorance in front of Congress in 2005. On top of that, like Klydon mentioned, he had the corked bat. I think he has every bit the stain of McGwire and Bonds. I hope Sosa never gets into the Hall of Fame, or if he does, it should be with a HUUUUUUGE asterisk.
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