Breaking News: Manny Ramirez Retires | Baseball Digest

Breaking News: Manny Ramirez Retires | Baseball Digest

Tampa Bay Rays’ DH Manny Ramirez has announced his retirement, effective immediately, reportedly to avoid the 100 game suspension he would face for failing a second MLB drug test.

Ramirez informed MLB of his decision shortly after learning from the league that there was another issue with a drug test. Ramirez was suspended for 50 games in 2009 for violating the league’s drug policy. He was just 1-17 in his first season with Tampa Bay and retires with 555 home runs.

Ramirez’s initial failed drug test may have prevented his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame, but a second violation certainly will close the doors to the Hall for him.

A-Rod, Pettitte in Anti-Steroid Fundraiser

The Associated Press is reporting that Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettitte are among the athletes that will be taking part in the August 19 Taylor Hooten Foundation fundraiser to raise awareness of the dangers of performance enhancing drugs.

The 17-yr old Hooten committed suicide in 2003 after abusing steroids and suffering through depression when he stopped. Since then his parents have been active anti-steroid activists.

We Hate Steroids, if it's Not Our Guy

Just read a feature by Yahoo! Sports' Steve Henson concerning his perception that fans are caring less and less if players use performance enhancing drugs. The article, in part, was spurred on by the huge standing ovation Manny Ramirez received upon his return to Dodger Stadium last night.

While Henson made many valid points, we beg to differ. Fans do care about PEDs...if it is not their player. Alex Rodriguez already received boos throughout baseball before his forced admonition that he cheated. But now he is vilified even louder by fans on the road. Do you think if it came out that David Ortiz was using PEDs during the Red Sox' World Series run in 2004 that anyone in Fenway Park would care? But they would still call A-Rod a cheater.

Just look at the way Barry Bonds was loved in the Bay area during his run at Hank Aaron's home run record, and the disdain that is still shown towards Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmiero and other big names that are no longer in the game.

The star players are also the true targets- no one cares that Sergio Mitre or J.C. Romero were suspended.

The player's personality obviously affects attitudes too. Yankees fan loved Jason Giambi, seeing him as a flawed individual, and generally, a nice guy. But he did have to win the fans back after his body broke down and he made his version of an apology (without openly admitting what it was for).

And finally, it all comes down to the player's success or failure. Do you think Mannywood will still be cheering Man-Ram if he's hitting .230 in September?

For me personally, it's a difficult situation. I don't want A-Rod to fail because I want the Yankees to win. But I do not have the same regard for him as a ball player (never had much regard for him as a person).

So just like with your friends or family, you accept baseball, warts and all. Unfortunately, no matter how things are perceived, baseball will never be the same.

How Far 'Wood' You Go?

HGH, Anabolic steroids, we've heard all we probably want to hear about them. Well apparently a new drug is now being used as a performance enhancer. Technically it already is that, but it's being used to enhance athletic performance.

If you haven't guessed it by now, we're talking about Viagra. The New York Daily News is reporting that Roger Clemens is one of many athletes now using the little blue pill for off-brand purposes.

Clemens stashed the clearly marked, diamond-shaped pills in a GNC vitamin bottle in his locker at Yankee Stadium, according to a source familiar with the clubhouse, perhaps keeping the drug undercover to avoid the inevitable wisecracks about all the girlfriends he needed to please.

Widespread use of the drug now has anti-doping official scurrying to learn more.

"All my athletes took it," BALCO founder Victor Conte, whose acolytes included Jason Giambi, Barry Bonds and Marion Jones, said of an over-the-counter supplement he claimed mimicked the effects of Viagra.

Off-label uses include:

• Helps build endurance, especially for athletes who compete at high altitudes
• Delivers oxygen, nutrients and performance-enhancing drugs to muscles more efficiently
• Counteracts the impotence that can be a side-effect of testosterone injections

Viagra is also used by athletes in the traditional sense, but because steroids have impacted their sexual effectiveness. Teammates better just look out in the shower.

How Far 'Wood' You Go?

HGH, Anabolic steroids, we've heard all we probably want to hear about them. Well apparently a new drug is now being used as a performance enhancer. Technically it already is that, but it's being used to enhance athletic performance.

If you haven't guessed it by now, we're talking about Viagra. The New York Daily News is reporting that Roger Clemens is one of many athletes now using the little blue pill for off-brand purposes.

Clemens stashed the clearly marked, diamond-shaped pills in a GNC vitamin bottle in his locker at Yankee Stadium, according to a source familiar with the clubhouse, perhaps keeping the drug undercover to avoid the inevitable wisecracks about all the girlfriends he needed to please.

Widespread use of the drug now has anti-doping official scurrying to learn more.

"All my athletes took it," BALCO founder Victor Conte, whose acolytes included Jason Giambi, Barry Bonds and Marion Jones, said of an over-the-counter supplement he claimed mimicked the effects of Viagra.

Off-label uses include:

• Helps build endurance, especially for athletes who compete at high altitudes
• Delivers oxygen, nutrients and performance-enhancing drugs to muscles more efficiently
• Counteracts the impotence that can be a side-effect of testosterone injections

Viagra is also used by athletes in the traditional sense, but because steroids have impacted their sexual effectiveness. Teammates better just look out in the shower.

Baseball Enacts to Prevent Future Taint

Major League Baseball owners have unanimously ratified the new drug testing policy that was negotiated with the player's union last month. The union is currently reviewing new policy as well and is expected to approve.

The new pact will add a powerful new administrator to oversee the tougher testing policies and the entire program.

The agreement also addressed those identified in the Mitchell Report. Though there will not be any suspensions, those players who are still active will be required to do community service.

Baseball Enacts to Prevent Future Taint

Major League Baseball owners have unanimously ratified the new drug testing policy that was negotiated with the player's union last month. The union is currently reviewing new policy as well and is expected to approve.

The new pact will add a powerful new administrator to oversee the tougher testing policies and the entire program.

The agreement also addressed those identified in the Mitchell Report. Though there will not be any suspensions, those players who are still active will be required to do community service.