This is absolutely awful news.
As a die-hard Los Angeles Dodger fan, to read that left-fielder Manny Ramirez will be out 50 games for violating Major League baseball's anti-drug policy is discouraging beyond belief.
Yes, our friendly lefty, Mr. Snarkle, will write to say "I warned you" about Manny. Mr. Snarkle is a Boston Red Sox fan. And glad to have seen Manny leave.
All I can relate is that Manny had been a Godsend to the Dodgers.
After attending a game last week against the San Diego Padres, Mrs. rightviewfromtheleftcoast and I witnessed a towering homer from Manny into the Left Field Pavilion. And it was 421 feet from home plate.
Since Manny has been with the Dodgers, the team has gelled into what it is today. The fans have been like I have never seen before.
And to be fair, according to the linked article, there is no indication that steroids were involved. If so, it would be the height of stupidity.
Manny needs to come clean-no pun intended-and let us, the fans, know the full story.
The blame for this mess should be right at the feet of the worst commissioner in the history of the game, used car salesman Bud Selig.
The inability of Mr. Selig to deal with the issue of performance-enhancing drugs has led to many players bucking the rules and taking life threatening short cuts to bulk up their bodies.
But, that is because the former used car salesman and former owner of the Milwaukee Brewers installed himself as commissioner. Under his stellar leadership, baseball lost a World Series in 1994 due to his locking out players and trying to renegotiate the collective bargaining agreement. And, Mr Selig looked the other way as Barry Bonds, Mike McGwire and many others took the dangerous shortcuts to bulk up and hit a ton of homers during the late 1990s.
Only now, under a lot of pressure, has Mr. Selig made half-hearted efforts of cracking down on the abuse of performance enhancing drugs.
And, regrettably, Manny Ramirez was caught with some kind of drug on the periphery of steroids. Not quite steroids, but close apparently.
Manny, Manny, Manny.
Come clean for us, your fans.
We want to see you back and healthy. All around healthy in mind, body and spirit.
6 comments:
Hi Mark,
I had never heard of that substance but if it has a high estrogen component it is consistent with something that juicers would take after going off their cycle.
The rules are the rules but I do wish him the best.
I have made *a few* mistakes in my life so I can't judge him. I feel blessed that the national media wasn't around to cover them ;)
Ryan
M.Ramirez| Positive Drug Test| 50 Game Suspension! - http://tinyurl.com/cto97e .... A-Rod Steroid Allegations http://tinyurl.com/dx4x3j .... and our old friend Barry... so what's new?
another one bites the dust.... i am quickly losing respect for professional athletes and the horrible message they continue to send to their fans and admirers. It was sad to see the reactions of the fans on CNN to the news about Manny. One interview struck me. It was a man with his 5 or 6 yr old son talking about how upset his son was. And how he the father had to explain to him what happened. The father went on to say he still supported Manny, despite his use, or alleged use of performance enhancing drugs. I say you the father are sending the wrong message to your son, by continuing your support of Manny. Manny Ramirez and any other professional athlete who is caught using performance enhancing drugs, should be banned from the sport they are in, permanently!! This would send a strong message not only to the athletes but the young fans who admire them as well. "You cannot use drugs and commit illegal acts and get away with it"
Manny was a pain in the ass before this came out.
Most professional athletes have gone through life with the idea that they can get away with anything. That's just the result of the big pedestal our culture puts them on. Don't expect an explanation or apology from the guy.
These guys take these drugs as just another way to get an edge on everybody else. The competition is that keen, and the pressure to perform and keep the money coming in is that severe.
Why is anybody surprised?
The answer's pretty clear to me - eliminate professional sports. Don't make it possible to earn a living by playing a game. If people want to be athletes, they can play something on the side.
But, of course, that'll never happen. There's just too much freaking money out there.
Does he not know that this is going to shrink his man parts? Is that NOT more important??? Just sayin' :)N
Manny is toxic and the Dodger's should never have signed him. I wonder if he would be hitting 400+ foot homers if he wasn't taking steroids?
He's a cheater in the same vein as Barry Bonds. The sooner the Dodger's rid themselves of this miscreant the better off they will be, however because winning is more important than truth and honesty, he will be retained.
Post a Comment