Manny Ramirez retires from baseball

[rice&beans]

Manny Ramirez retires from Baseball

Manny Ramirez has retired from Major League Baseball.

From NESN



MLB made the announcement on Friday afternoon. The league said it notified Ramirez of an "issue" with him regarding the MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, and rather than undergo the process, Ramirez opted to retire.

Ramirez, 38, got off to a slow start for Tampa Bay this season, going 1-for-17 in five games.

Ramirez, who's made more than $200 million in his career, signed a one-year, $2 million deal with Tampa Bay this offseason.

While the league didn't say explicitly that Ramirez failed another drug test, he would have been subject to a 100-game suspension as a second-time offender. He was suspended in 2009 for 50 games for testing postive for hCG, a female fertility drug typically used to mask steroid use.

 

[Frank the Tank]

He retired rather than take the 100 game suspension. No es mi culpa. Adios.

 

[rice&beans]

He was loved in Boston, until he kinda wore out his welcome at the end.......but if he ever visits Fenway again.....STANDING OVATION.....NO PROBLEMO!!!!!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51418611@N05/5601033913/" title="Manny%20Ramirez%204 by bocachica64, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5601033913_45185fb743.jpg" width="450" height="300" alt="Manny%20Ramirez%204"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51418611@N05/5601619808/" title="Manny%20Ramirez%202 by bocachica64, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5601619808_a8a7d1bfc1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Manny%20Ramirez%202"></a>

I'll always remember him like this, he gave alot of fans in Boston alot of memories.......

 

[Marianopolita]

----

I heard the news and have very mixed emotions about the issue and of course it raises the red flag once again about steroid use in baseball- who is and who is not. I don't believe Manny really had a choice this time and had to make a decision. A possible 100-game suspension, 38 years old, off to a very shaky start with Tampa Bay etc. It just seems like there are/ were so many odds against him.

I am sure his fans will hold good memories of him even though his reputation tarnished when he went to the LA Dodgers (in my opinion).


Who is next?


Slugger Manny Ramirez retires after drug policy issue - thestar.com


-MP.

 

[Richard Alberto]

It wasn't just the Dodgers. He tested positive while with the Red Sox. This was during a random testing and before the enforced drug policy. He was protected by the MLB Players Association at the time but could no longer hide. He and Big Poppy both tested positive.

 

[windeguy]

Good riddance.

 

[PICHARDO]

This is all based on an old test that was carried out by MLB at the time. Manny and his wife were under a medical treatment because he wasn't presenting enough "fish" to fertilize the eggs. His doctor prescribed the treatment and his handlers in the clubhouse got the run down of all the medical stuff he was put on.

Turns out that the club at the time claimed they didn't know of it and also claimed not to have prior knowledge of the stuff prescribed on the treatment when the test by MLB came up positive. The stuff used for the fertility treatment is known to be used as well by others to mask the use of enhanced performance roids and stuff.

Manny's doc sent the MLB panel proof of their diclosure to Manny's club at the time of the tests carried out. It was under appeal pending and MLB decided that the case presented by Manny was not strong enough to win them over and finally decided to pass a penalty (100 games suspension). Manny decided to take a "du*p" on all of them and quit! In Manny's view they're just using his name and person as an example to others, trying to appeal and excuse their use of the same type of drugs to mask roids use.

For Manny's head and world, he doesn't need to prove anything as his performance on the field and ethics of practice and preparation before each game, are a constant remainder that hard work provides results.

MLB never in their wildest dreams, even imagined that Manny would quit at this level and time. Well... They never understood Manny Ramirez at all!

They made their choice not to believe not only him, but his doctor and wife as well. To him this was personal but not only his to catch a slap again for.

Keep in mind that the first time Manny tested positive for any type of stuff in MLB, there was not banned substances in the list or roids to begin with. That's why the tests were voluntary and non-criminalizing at the time. The funny part was that what Manny came positive for at the time, was in fact very popular supplement active ingredient that was 100% legal for sale and use in the DR. Mostly prescribed by doctors to young people with needs of body development. I drank loads of that stuff when I was 11 until my 14th birthday!!!!

Manny is Manny, but when you push him too much he'll react like any of us would, when trying to defend those close to us that are silently being hurt as well from these actions.

MLB decided his appeal on grounds of medical treatment for infertility wasn't enough to clear his positive test, Manny decided they could all go stick their bat and balls where it fit them best most, for all he cared.

It took somebody close to the family about 4 months after all the silence (at the time of the test results long ago) to let the public know what 'Manny" the smiling "dumbo" was too reserved and private about for his family sake to make public.
That was a long while ago and now is when MLB "decides" to pass their judgement and offer their final decision on the matter to Manny. Which was here you are, and here you are!

Manny said: Not! Here you go and there I go! Bye!



Anybody that's a true baseball fan knows that following Manny's career since before his first MLB game debut, he never needed roids to perform on the field...

That's what you call a "natural" born hitting machine!!!

 

[Richard Alberto]

I my opinion, it's sad to see him go down so quickly. His skills diminished so rapidly that it was sad to see him bat up. Incredible that only a few years ago, Ramirez was a batting machine. Something other than father time deteriorated his skills so rapidly, almost overnight, much like all the others. It hasn't failed.

As far as testing positive the fact remains that he used banned substances as far back as 2003 and that in itself will taint his legacy. For now every time his name is mentioned as one of the best hitters of his era, the incrimination of failed drug tests will follow him.

Too bad. But in a way it's good for the kids to see that you can only go so far before your skills get depleted by using drugs.

 

[Tamborista]

Good Riddance!

 

[Berzin]

Pichardo, your post belongs in the clown bin.

I could hardly stay in my chair I was laughing so hard.

Another steroid freak bites the dust. And good-bye Hall of Fame, not that Ramirez ever cared about that.

 

[Mr_DR]

Pichardo, your post belongs in the clown bin.

I could hardly stay in my chair I was laughing so hard.

Another steroid freak bites the dust. And good-bye Hall of Fame, not that Ramirez ever cared about that.

It is easy for anyone to fail a drug test without even knowing that what they were taking was not illigal. Many people take those protein and muscles shakes and you would most likely could find one or two ingredients that may be banned by different authorities or sports leagues.

It could happen to anyone, how many people in the US or any part of the world do you think know that eating <b>Poppy seeds muffins</b> could result in a positive drug test?

 

[Mr_DR]

Manny Pacquiao

Pichardo, your post belongs in the clown bin.

I could hardly stay in my chair I was laughing so hard.

Another steroid freak bites the dust. And good-bye Hall of Fame, not that Ramirez ever cared about that.

Now if you want to talk about a Manny that uses drugs, Pacquiao is your Manny.
He has the opportunity to make the richest fight of the century by facing Mayweather but won't do it only because Mayweather wants that they both submit to blood test for drugs for the fight.

 

[manila]

Now if you want to talk about a Manny that uses drugs, Pacquiao is your Manny.
He has the opportunity to make the richest fight of the century by facing Mayweather but won't do it only because Mayweather wants that they both submit to blood test for drugs for the fight.

it's the other way around, mayweather does not want to fight manny period.
facts: manny pac has always submitted to the drug testing required by the boxing commission and taken by ALL boxers but mayweather wants his own way which is a way for not fighting, he knows manny is reluctant to have his blood drawn on the day of the fight (he thinks it makes him weak), btw mayweather didn't require mosley who has admitted using steroids in the past to take a test in their recent fight. manny has agreed to take this olympic style testing 14 days before the fight and right after which is fair. floyd's camp recently demanded a 100million guaranteed purse against pac, lollll, another excuse to avoid manny pacquiao.

 

[Marianopolita]

----

This article in today's List?n Diario is a great summary of Manny's baseball career and his issues with testing positive past and present.

Manny se retira - List?n Diario Digital


I don't think the issue is of any surprise to Manny. He got caught again and this time he had to make a decision. I think retirement was his only option. He would have been completely useless to Tampa Bay after sitting out a hundred games and then to play the remainder of the season already with a rocky road start. Au revoir Manny, your time is up.



-MP.

 

[Mr_DR]

it's the other way around, mayweather does not want to fight manny period.
facts: manny pac has always submitted to the drug testing required by the boxing commission and taken by ALL boxers but mayweather wants his own way which is a way for not fighting, he knows manny is reluctant to have his blood drawn on the day of the fight (he thinks it makes him weak), btw mayweather didn't require mosley who has admitted using steroids in the past to take a test in their recent fight. manny has agreed to take this olympic style testing 14 days before the fight and right after which is fair. floyd's camp recently demanded a 100million guaranteed purse against pac, lollll, another excuse to avoid manny pacquiao.

Lol, those two just need to stop all the BS and get the F in the ring and give the people what they want. Can you imagine someone dying to see this fight literally dying right before the fight taking place?

 

[Celt202]

If he saved his money he can open a string of colmados and watch his employees slow drip the profits. That wouild teach him the meaning of 'hustle'.

Manny, how are your managerial skills?

 

[Celt202]

On the other hand...

Drugs and hustle aside there's a side to Manny that he didn't hire a publicist to promote.

Here's a post from a blog in 2005 reporting an anecdote Mike Barnicle spoke of on a talk show.

"A mentally handicapped thirteen year old boy who simply adored Manny Ramirez attended his first Red Sox game recently and sat with his father in the sideline seats adjacent to left field. He was so wildly excited to see Manny in person, that he began yelling out, "Manny! Manny! Manny! Manny!" all throughout the first inning. Near the end of the inning, Manny turned toward the stands and gave the doubled-handed shot that he is apt to do. The boy thought it was just for him and jumped up and down. The next inning, after the boy continued to call out, "Manny! Manny! Manny! Manny!", the Sox left fielder fielded a fly-out to end the inning and pitched it into the stands, near to where the boy was sitting. The fan that caught it ventured over to the boy and gave it to him. When Manny came out for the next inning, the boy continued to call out to him, and dropped the ball on the field between pitches, calling, "Sign it Manny! Sign it! Sign it!" Manny scooped it up, put it in his pocket and returned to the dugout with the ball at the end of the inning. When he came out for the fourth inning, he went right over to where the father and son were sitting, and tossed the ball up to the father. When the father gave it the ball back to his son, Manny Ramirez's signature was on it."

Thank You, Red Sox clap clap clapclapclap - Sons of Sam Horn

 

[Berzin]

Hey Celt202, since we're sharing heartwarming little anecdotes about Ramirez, how about the one where he flung some hapless Red Sox employee, an older gentleman, to the floor of the clubhouse because he couldn't get him the number of tickets Manny required for a game?

Listen, I don't care about his steroid use. I loved him while he was playing for the Sox and was thrilled when they finally won the World Series. Those games were awesome. And I think he was one of the best hitters baseball has ever seen.

As for how he did it, I am neither an apologist nor a defender. He took 'roids and got busted.

What boggles my mind is how he got caught again, when he has the money to pay good people to administer his drug program to assure that he won't test positive.

Major League Baseball has the easiest steroids testing to pass. That's what I don't understand.

Talk about stupid.

 

[Celt202]

Hey Celt202, since we're sharing heartwarming little anecdotes about Ramirez, how about the one where he flung some hapless Red Sox employee, an older gentleman, to the floor of the clubhouse because he couldn't get him the number of tickets Manny required for a game? ...

Stipulated:

Manny is a complex semi mature manchild.

 

[rice&beans]

The Boston take on this......

Boston Red Sox - Positively baffling end to a career - The Boston Globe