Manny Ramirez slides into home plate with Los Angeles Dodgers. After today's revelation that he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, Manny won't be sliding anywhere anytime soon, except down the Hall of Fame ballot. Ramirez has been suspended 50 games, and will not be eligible to return to Los Angeles until July 3rd. (Photo courtesy of New York Daily News)
Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Jason Giambi, Andy Pettitte, and Alex Rodriguez. All of these names have a common thread between them: They have all admitted to; or tested positive for, performance-enhancing drugs. Today, this exclusive Who's Who of baseball welcomed a member whose credentials are just as impressive.
In a bombshell revelation, the Los Angeles Times reported today that the offensive volcano that is Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez, regarded by many to be among the best pure hitters the game has ever seen, tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs; and therefore would be suspended 50 games. Ramirez will forfeit $7.7 million of his salary according to the Times, and will not be able to wear Dodger blue again until July 3rd.
Ramirez attributed his positive test to a "personal health issue." He also stated that his physician had given him a "medication, not a steroid, which he thought was okay to give me." He later added that the medication was "banned under our drug policy. Under the policy, that mistake is now my responsibility." With Alex Rodriguex having admitted his steroid use during the 2001-2003 seasons, when steroid testing had yet to be implemented in Major League Baseball, Ramirez now becomes the biggest name to be suspended under the testing, inheriting that title from disgraced slugger Rafael Palmeiro, who failed a steroid test in 2005, just months after a memorable testimony to Congress where he emphatically pointed his finger and said that he "had never done steroids. Period."
The Ramirez revelation further vindicates Jose Canseco, regardless of how one may see him in the steroid era. Last month, Canseco went on record saying that there was a "90%" chance that Ramirez was one of the 104 players that failed a steroid test in 2003, a test that was supposed to be kept in anonymity. However, this infamous list produced A-Rod as one of the 104, the only player to be publicly outed as a steroid user of that group.
With Ramirez out of the lineup, Juan Pierre is his likely replacement in left field tonight for the Dodgers, who continue their series against the Washington Nationals tonight at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers currently possess the best record in baseball at 21-8, and are a perfect 13-0 at home.
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