Well, it was only a matter of time until the latest big star fell through the cracks and was caught by MLB for taking performance enhancing drugs (reportedly a banned substance but NOT a steroid). This time, according to the LA Times, it is Manny Ramirez, who will now be suspended 50 games, more below.
UPDATE: MLB is confirming the suspension according to ESPN.
UPDATED x2: To remove reference to Torre, that was a bit over the top...
Link: Manny Ramirez will be suspended 50 games for positive drug test
Quote:
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.
The suspension will cost Ramirez $7.7 million, or roughly 31% of his $25-million salary. Players in violation of baseball's drug policy are not paid during suspensions.
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.
Manny Ramirez (better known as Man Ram) has long been one of baseball's more self-impressed characters (the media referred to his antics as "Manny Being Manny"). He famously forced a trade in Boston last year after alienating himself from a team that he had helped lead to two WS titles. Both he and the LA Dodgers seemed to be reborn last season as he helped lead the team into the NLCS after his arrival. He now appears, however, to have become the latest player to take performance enhancing drugs and as such will be suspended.
It is hard to see necessarily that Man Ram had any sort of real jump in his numbers in the past few years for taking these drugs. Although he performed better in LA than in Boston, that may be more a matter of his happiness in LA versus Boston.
Let me know what you think.