Posted on 05/07/2009 8:52:53 AM PDT by kellynla
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 Dodgers informed triple-A outfielder Xavier Paul this morning that he was being promoted to Los Angeles.
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.
With the suspension taking effect with tonight's game at Dodger Stadium, Ramirez will not be eligible to return to the team until July 3.
Ramirez would become the biggest star suspended under an oft-criticized major league testing program that started in 2003. He had been a model citizen since arriving in Los Angeles last August, following a stormy tenure with the Boston Red Sox.
This is the second drug scandal to rock baseball within four months. In a year in which baseball officials hoped their greatest concern would be the slumping economy, the two highest-paid players in the game have been revealed to have failed a drug test.
Alex Rodriguez, the game's highest-paid player, acknowledged during a February news conference that he used steroids from 2001 to 2003. The admission followed a Sports Illustrated report that he failed a drug test in 2003, when players were not subject to suspension.
Ramirez did not appear in the clubhouse after the Dodgers' 10-3 victory over the Washington Nationals Wednesday night. After the game, Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti and Manager Joe Torre said they were unaware of any failed test or pending suspension.
As unconfirmed reports circulated around Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night, Scott Boras, the agent for Ramirez, declined to comment.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
“He looks like a pot smoker to me.”
“So what?”
THC has obviously destroyed a significant amount of his neurons.
bummer.. same here.. been watching every game of my Dodgers.. it’s helped me keep sane, as of late..
sheesh, I’ll bet it is pot, which doesn’t seem quite fair.. could he be suspended for that? after all, that is not a performance enhancing drug... in fact in would wreck performance..
No joke. The Red Sox are laughing heartily at this one. Not much of a drop off in production from Bay, plus he doesn’t have a frying pan for a glove in the outfield.
I suggest you get your facts straight BEFORE you smear someone...according to the BOSOX, they don't believe it and it will be reported later today that the drug was a prescription drug not steroids.
Baseball does not allow it.
That's Jason "Yankee killer" Bay.
WHOA...
this is ridiculous — it’s a baseball tradition, the horse is already out of the barn, hello
“He looks like a pot smoker to me?”
Nothing like the clean-cut “pot smoker” CA governor.
Sounds to me like Scott Boras will go down as the “Steroid Agent” in Major League Baseball.
And I simply cannot wait until Jeter or Posada takes one in the back as payback for Chambermaid’s immature antics....
frying pan for a glove-LOL
“lets see you keep up that national league recort now?”
“national league recort?”
what’s a “recort?” LOL
A 50 game suspension starting now will put Manny back in the game right around the All Star break.
Clean cut pot smoker and steroid abuser
Man-Ram should not have got the 2004 WS MVP either - Keith Folke deserved it, no question! This sheds light on why he wanted to skip spring training - to clean out his system. He could have signed the same $45 million deal months earlier.
Up yours Manny, you filthy, rotten cockroach!!!
A thug now living in a “thugocracy” under Barry Zero.
” I’ll bet it is pot?”
And you’d lose that bet...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.