Manny suspended 50 games for using PEDs!!!

[Kingdom]

I would have guessed he was guilty of huffing glue vs. guilty of steroids.

[Porter]

Mofo, just fell off a cliff.

[missionhockey21]

I am always so disappointed to hear news like this when the player involved has talent like Manny does. His swing, his presence at the plate... a AAAA'er I can understand, but is Ramirez really this dumb to get caught, especially at this stage of the steroids scandal? At least Rodriguez's illegal test was a few years back.

[DirtyKash]

Any chance we'll get Manny to pose for a magazine, A-Rod style?

[missionhockey21]

Well, I guess there goes the chance for Dodger fans to tell their children that Manny's might bat power came from his glorious dreads of hair

[catman]

I have no problem believing that a Dr gave Manny this drug, but I have a problem with his judgement. He was a FA when he saw the Dr, but MLB would certainly have sent him to a reputible Dr if he would have asked.
This brings me back to my point that MLB must either market or license supplements for use by players. Anything with the sanction is fine, anything without it is potentially a problem.
Here is another point -- the players that are currently under suspension -- Manny, JC Romero, and Sergio Mitre (not to mention A'Rod) -- are all Dominicans. Is there a problem in DR or is this just a coincidence?

[DirtyKash]

Statement from Manny

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.

[nyjunc]

Shocking One by one they keep getting exposed, is Ortiz next?

[love_that_reefer]

Statement from Manny

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.

That's why you give the list MLB gave you to your doctor or go to a doctor inside MLB. Its not hard.

To catman's point, I do think its a coincidence. Manny has been in the league for a very long time and knows how things work. This should have never happened if the story is true a doctor gave this drug to him.

[missionhockey21]

catman, I think you bring up a valid point. I am willing to withhold judgment until I know the whole story about Manny, and while the "I didn't know what it was" is an excuse that is likely used dishonestly, there has to be some validity to it for some players and the MLB needs to step in to take action.

Manny does have a point that he has passed many many drug tests before, to get caught now seems a little odd so perhaps he is telling the truth. Either way, it was poor judgement and he deserves his punishment though.

[browntown653]

I'm in total agreement with catman on this one. But the bottom line is this - even if a doctor tells you it's OK, you have to double and triple check to be sure. Baseball's not messing around here.

[love_that_reefer]

The "I didn't know what it was" is not a valid excuse anymore. MLB provides lists to every single ballplayer and I am sure Manny has a team behind the scenes that know it too. MLB has taken action. I agree that MLB should start sellign their own supplements but they are communicating with the players and the players keep ****ing up. Fault lies with the players.

[DirtyKash]

Source: Ramirez’s substance a sexual enhancer

By Tim Brown and Steve Henson 1 hour, 12 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES – A source close to Manny Ramirez(notes) said Thursday that the illegal substance for which the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger tested positive was not “an agent customarily used for performance enhancing.”

At least not on the baseball diamond. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the substance is supposed to boost sex drive. It is not Viagra, but a substance that treats the cause rather providing a temporary boost in sexual performance, the source said.

Ramirez tested positive for the substance during spring training, then was administered a second test more recently, and it also was positive. Major League Baseball notified Ramirez of the second positive test after Wednesday night’s Dodgers victory over the Washington Nationals. Ramirez admitted to having taken the substance and declined to appeal. His 50-game suspension begins today.

“The substance is not a steroid and it is not human-growth hormone,” the source said.

Ramirez, the source said, acquired the substance through a prescription from a doctor in Miami for his medical condition. The source intimated that Ramirez might bring legal action against the physician.

Ramirez released the following statement Thursday morning: “Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was okay 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.

The Dodgers, who have won a Major League record 13 consecutive home games to start the season, will be without Ramirez until July 3. Outfielder Xavier Paul was promoted from triple-A to take Ramirez’s place on the roster. The suspension will cost Ramirez close to $8 million in lost wages.


Source: Ramirez's substance a sexual enhancer - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

[love_that_reefer]

They are reporting now on ESPN that the drug he was busted for is for dopers to come off a steroid cycle. Not looking any better as more info comes in.

[GiantsFanatic]

anyone that thinks Manny wasn't using when he was on the Red Sox is only kidding themselves. no more holier than you attitude from the Sox fans.

Right, I must have missed the story where he tested positive for steriods.