50 game suspension for Dodgers' Manny Ramirez
Dodger slugger Manny Ramirez will be suspended for 50 games, according to the Los Angeles Times this morning. Ramirez reportedly tested positive for a performance enhancing drug.
Here's the Times story:
Manny Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and will be suspended 50 games starting today, The Times has learned.
The test result and suspension is expected to be announced later today.
Ramirez works out at a Pasadena gym.
Here's what MLB.com is reporting:
LOS ANGELES -- Major League Baseball will suspend Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez for 50 games for use of performance enhancing drugs, sources told MLB.com on Thursday.
Major League Baseball has not yet made an official announcement.
Ramirez, who turns 37 on May 30, would be eligible to return July 3 if the suspension starts with Thursday night's Dodgers-Nationals game.
Ramirez -- an 12-time All-Star who immediately became the face of the Dodgers franchise upon his acquisition last summer -- is the biggest name player to be issued such a suspension under the MLB's stringent drug policy that was adopted in 2006.
According to the drug policy, a player receives a 50-game suspension for a first positive drug test, a 100-game suspension for a second positive test and a lifetime ban for a third positive test. The suspensions are without pay.
Ramirez re-signed with the Dodgers as a free agent this spring to a two-year contract that was to pay him $25 million.
Ramirez has been a key component in leading the Dodgers to the best record in baseball this year. In 27 games, he is batting .348 with six home runs and 20 RBIs. He is among league leaders in slugging and on-base percentage and has become the biggest drawing card the Dodgers have had since Fernando Valenzuela, even recently having a portion of the left-field box seats rechristened "Mannywood."
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
Kind of funny this is in a crime scene blog
I'm not sure there's anything funny about it for Dodger fans.
First it was J Rod now M Ramirez, this really puts some doubts about all the baseball players.
The perfect solution: Sign Barry Bonds for two months for the league minimum. The Dodgers will get a better outfielder, a better on base percentage, probably more home runs, and a more likeable player . . . at about $7.8 million less salary.
for Manny's case (and everyone in his position) the "I didn't know" excuse expired a long time ago