Thursday, May 7, 2009

Manny Ramirez Tests Positive for Performance Enhancing Drugs; Suspended 50 Games

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Manny Ramirez has tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and has been suspended by MLB for 50 games effective today.

This means he will not return to the lineup until July 3rd, shortly before the All-Star break.

The MLB Network can tune into any game at any time. Not surprisingly, it often tunes into Dodgers game when Manny is at the plate. Last night was no exception. (Of course, it is always a pleasure to listen to Vin Scully so I have no objections.) Manny hit a bases loaded double against the lowly Washington Nationals to spark a seven run sixth inning en route to a 10-3 victory. Needless to say, Al Leiter and Harold Reynolds were singing his praises. Somehow I think they will be singing a different tune today.

The Dodgers are undefeated at home this season with a 13-0 and have the best record in baseball with a won loss mark of 21-8. Not surprisingly, Manny has been right in the middle of it with a .348 batting average, 6 home runs and 20 RBIs.

Well, now it's time for the Dodgers to put up or shut up. Can they win without Manny? Or are they a house of cards about to collapse now that the curtain has been lifted? The NL West is for the taking and look for the San Francisco Giants to soon make their move.

It is worth noting that Manny is being suspended the day before Alex Rodriguez is supposed to make his 2009 debut with the New York Yankees. A-Rod wasn't suspended but it was revealed in the off season that he took performance enhancing drugs when he was with the Texas Rangers. A new book by Selena Roberts of Sports Illustrated contends that A-Rod began using these substances when he was in high school.

Of course, this will be discussed at length here in Boston. Manny didn't exactly leave here on good terms. With that said I am sure many in Red Sox Nation are glad he is no longer our problem.

Here is an article I wrote about Manny Ramirez the day the Red Sox traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a deal that saw the Sox acquire Jason Bay from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Jason Bay is quietly hitting .311 with 7 home runs and 25 RBIs. Jason Bay is looking better and better with every passing moment.

Look for Jason Bay to get a huge standing ovation at Fenway Park tonight.

1 comment:

Nomad said...

I've always thought of Manny as more dependent on talent than muscle, so this is a huge surprise to me