# Manny Ramirez to Get 50-Game Suspension for Drugs, L.A. Times Says **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 7, 2009, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661 "2009-05-07T15:52:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ColonelDax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@ColonelDax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColonelDax)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/1 "2009-05-07T15:52:36Z")
Story [here](http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-manny-ramirez8-2009may08,0,6324894.story). Doh! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/2 "2009-05-07T15:58:02Z")
Is LA’s non-Manny offense as fucked as it was last year? If it is, they’re in a lot of trouble. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/3 "2009-05-07T16:10:55Z")
Fantastic, he’s my favorite player. I suppose I was naive to believe he was clean. Now all we need is Pujols to test positive and we can effectively call it a generation. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/4 "2009-05-07T16:18:32Z")
> [@drm](#): > > Now all we need is Pujols to test positive and we can effectively call it a generation. La-la-la-la I can’t hear you! ---
**Author:** ![Redwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dfb087/32.png) [@Redwing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Redwing)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/5 "2009-05-07T16:19:24Z")
Manny being Manny. As long as Varitek’s still clean, I’ll be happy. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/6 "2009-05-07T16:21:38Z")
Eh. Nobody is outside of suspicion these days. Even Pujols. Honestly, I don’t know if I’m upset that Manny did, or that everyone should. ---
**Author:** ![jk1245](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@jk1245](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jk1245)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/7 "2009-05-07T16:49:40Z")
Ken Griffey, Jr. is the only one left. Given the way his body has broken down and his game declined, he might actually be clean. Wow. I actually thought Manny might be clean too. The article on SI says that’s it’ s not roids, but is still a banned PED, that has possible legit health uses. Sounds like HGH. Manny will not be challenging the suspension. ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/8 "2009-05-07T16:52:20Z")
Actually, they didn’t say it was steroids or otherwise performance-enhancing. All it says is that he took a drug that was on baseball’s ban list. Let’s not jump to conclusions. ---
**Author:** ![jk1245](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@jk1245](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jk1245)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/9 "2009-05-07T16:58:19Z")
> [@DudleyGarrett](#): > > Actually, they didn’t say it was steroids or otherwise performance-enhancing. All it says is that he took a drug that was on baseball’s ban list. Let’s not jump to conclusions. The article at SI says: > [@](#): > > The source said the substance was not classified as a steroid but was clearly defined as a banned performance enhancer according to the drug agreement between baseball and its players association. Manny’s quote is: > [@](#): > > Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me. Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing; I’ve taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons I might actually believe the guy, but unfortunately baseball players don’t get the benefit of the doubt anymore. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/10 "2009-05-07T17:00:11Z")
> [@jk1245](#): > > Ken Griffey, Jr. is the only one left. Given the way his body has broken down and his game declined, he might actually be clean. > > Wow. I actually thought Manny might be clean too. The article on SI says that’s it’ s not roids, but is still a banned PED, that has possible legit health uses. Sounds like HGH. Manny will not be challenging the suspension. I don’t think anybody pops for HGH. The tests aren’t good enough yet. If I remember correctly, you have to catch someone within hours of injecting themselves with HGH for them to show up on a test. Regarding the doctors story, i never believe these. Everyone has some story about how it must be some mistake. I’d love there be an innocent explanation but history tells me it’s BS. ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/11 "2009-05-07T17:02:28Z")
> [@jk1245](#): > > The article at SI says: > > Manny’s quote is: > > I might actually believe the guy, but unfortunately baseball players don’t get the benefit of the doubt anymore. I do believe him. Manny’s not like the others. Does anyone have a link to the “banned substances” list for MLB? I mean, almost ANYTHING can be described as a performance enhancer. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/12 "2009-05-07T17:03:23Z")
> [@jk1245](#): > > Ken Griffey, Jr. is the only one left. Given the way his body has broken down and his game declined, he might actually be clean. Right - there aren’t any previous PED users whose bodies broke down suddenly and had their game decline… ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/13 "2009-05-07T17:04:13Z")
I have to say that I believe his story. I know it makes me sound naive. But, he doesn’t seem like the sort of guy who would go to performance enhancers. And, I do like the quote he made. He did take responsibility, while explaining the situation. It sucks, though. Another layer of doubt on major league players. I hope Pujols never used. Every time I look at his stats I am overwhelmed by how great he is. But, more than that I think he is such a nice and charitable guy. I saw him talking about one of his daughters who has downs syndrome and they really made me like him even more. I also hope the rest of the Phillies aside from Romero never come out as using, because that would be a pretty big shame. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/14 "2009-05-07T17:05:47Z")
> [@DudleyGarrett](#): > > Actually, they didn’t say it was steroids or otherwise performance-enhancing. All it says is that he took a drug that was on baseball’s ban list. Let’s not jump to conclusions. The L.A. Times story says “performance enhancing” right at the start. Otherwise, given the kind of guy Manny is, I would have thought it could be any number of, um, non-performance enhancers. We’ll probably find out exactly what it was very soon. While he may have a legit medical issue, it’s also worth pointing out that the fact that it was prescribed doesn’t mean much. These guys can doctor shop, and you can also try to get an edge from prescription stuff - haven’t there been reports that a many players have obtained ADD diagnoses so they can get a boost from drugs like Ritalin? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/15 "2009-05-07T17:08:39Z")
It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Manny has been using all along. I still have some residual affection for him since his Cleveland days, but he has always struck me as a guy who is definitely in baseball for what it gains him. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/16 "2009-05-07T17:20:37Z")
duplicate ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/17 "2009-05-07T17:29:19Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > he has always struck me as a guy who is definitely in baseball for what it gains him. Who isn’t? I mean honestly, do you think there are any players in professional baseball who play purely for the love of the game. Really, going by broadcasters the only person in all of sports who would fit that mold is Brett Farve. And, who believes that? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/18 "2009-05-07T17:31:45Z")
> [@pricciar](#): > > Who isn’t? I mean honestly, do you think there are any players in professional baseball who play purely for the love of the game. Really, going by broadcasters the only person in all of sports who would fit that mold is Brett Farve. And, who believes that? I assume that everyone is, which is why I’m not surprised when players are busted for drugs. ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/19 "2009-05-07T18:02:18Z")
It doesn’t sound like he actually tested positive. The banned substance is also reportedly not a steriod. Probably best to not make too many assumptions until we get the facts straight. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661/20 "2009-05-07T18:05:20Z")
> [@Hawkeyeop](#): > > It doesn’t sound like he actually tested positive. What? It’s been repeatedly stated that he did. The LA Times and Sports Illustrated both start their articles by stating planly, “Manny Ramirez tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance.” > [@](#): > > The banned substance is also reportedly not a steriod. HGH isn’t a steroid, and neither are masking agents. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manny-ramirez-to-get-50-game-suspension-for-drugs-l-a-times-says/495661.md?page=2)