The LOS ANGELES TIMES reports that Manny Ramirez will be suspended for 50 games for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
The suspension is expected to start with tonight’s game against the Nationals, and Manny won’t be eligible to return to the Dodgers’ lineup until July 3.
The test results & suspension are expected to be officially announced later today. If the suspension does happen, Manny will lose about $7.7 million in salary - a pretty costly price for popping some pills.
But he already has an alibi lined up:
Ramirez is expected to attribute the test results to medication received from a doctor for a personal medical issue, according to a source familiar with matter but not authorized to speak publicly.
Maybe Manny was suffering from a little high blood pressure after spotting Kim Kardashian on the Dodgers’ mound in those tight white pants.
Even though the news will have L.A. baseball fans bummed out, one person seems to be benefiting - Xavier Paul, who’s getting the call-up from Triple-A to fill Manny’s soon-to-be vacant spot in the outfield.
Still, the failed drug test by such a big superstar as Ramirez is a big shock. My God - does this mean that Jose Canseco was right again?
*UPDATE*: YAHOO! SPORTS reports that Manny tested positive for an enhancer, all right - a sexual enhancer!
*UPDATE #2*: Manny released this statement through the players’ union:
“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.
“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.
“I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans. LA is a special place to me, and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I’m sorry about this whole situation.”
12:20 pm on May 7th, 2009
As a Giants fan, I freaking love this!
12:23 pm on May 7th, 2009
Why didn't Manny say to the testers or MLB "Hey, this might make me come up dirty" or check to make sure it's safe to take.
Honestly, at this point, who ISN"T going to be accused to taking steroids? Dustin Pedroia? Baseball is going to be a bunch of 5'8 150 lb slappy hitters by 2012 and no one from this era with 500+ homeruns aren't getting in the Hall Of Fame. Sickening.
http://www.wrestlingbeltworld.com
2:11 pm on May 7th, 2009
and this is why i hate base ball.
5:58 pm on May 7th, 2009
If someone is fighting a cold/flu bug and takes Vitamin C in order to stay healthy and continue to play at a level that a virus wouldn't allow, Vit. C is a performance enhancing substance….Let these guys play and entertain the crowds, or make them all stop ingesting protein powders, legal 'supps' etc….If I take an aspirin to knock out a headache so I can pitch better, that's a PED also…..sheesh.
7:00 pm on May 7th, 2009
@Eric, the MLB has a Hotline for just such 'questions'. JC Romero 'forgot' about it too. We know why Manny didn't call - he knew what he did and was hoping to have everything clear before his next pee test.
@Anonymous2 - I'd suggest you take up cricket 'bowling' (pitching). With that impressive spin you'll be unhitable. PED is short for IPED - ILLEGAL! Vit C is not 'roids or 'roids masking agents. Come on, you can't be that dumb. Must be a Dodgers fan.
7:23 pm on May 7th, 2009
Manny Ramirez is the worst piece of crap athlete there is: he quit on his teammates on the Sox just to get his way like a spoiled little brat. Two things I can't stand: betting on your own sport which ruins the integrity/credibility of your game turning it into nothing better than pro-wrestling and quitting on your teammates when they're trying to win it all. What goes around comes around, and I'm glad to see he got what's coming to him.
8:49 pm on May 7th, 2009
not surprised. pujols of the cardinals is next.
3:58 pm on May 9th, 2009
Ahhhahahahahahah Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu** yooooooooooooooooooooooooou Manny!!!
10:41 pm on May 14th, 2009
So Manny's out and A-Rod is in… I haven't heard yet if any of these guys will be barred from the Hall of Fame because of their confirmed drug usage