A tarnished reputation is at best a weak euphemism to describe a career that fell from grace. Manny Ramirez announced he would be retiring from baseball, quite possibly opening up pandora’s box of deceit, betrayal and drugs of the Steroid Era.
They say when you hit rock bottom there is nowhere to go but go up, but in Ramirez’ case a second positive drug test in two seasons and anything worse is being six feet deep.
Ramirez tested positive on a drug test during spring training, and rather than face a 100-game suspension, decided to retire and close the book on a tumultuous MLB career.
“Major League Baseball recently notified Manny Ramirez of an issue under Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” the MLB Commissioner’s Office said in a statement. “Rather than continue with the process under the Program, Ramirez has informed MLB that he is retiring as an active player. If Ramirez seeks reinstatement in the future, the process under the Drug Program will be completed.”
Ramirez’ quickly regained popularity when Boston parted ways with the slugger. trading him to the Dodgers on July 30, 2008. Ramirez performed well on the field, batting close to .400 down the stretch and becoming a fan favorite, as “Mannywood” signs quickly dispersed throughout Los Angeles.
But after signing a two-year, $45 million dollar deal, the popularity was short-lived when he tested positive in May 2009 and was suspended for 50 games.
Yet another bridge was burned, and Manny was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox in August 2010.
Ramirez battled injuries all season, but still managed to bat .298 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs with the Dodgers and White Sox in 2010.
Ramirez signed a one-year, two million dollar deal with the Tampa Bay Rays this past off-season looking to revamp a recently tarnished career, but the damage done will see no relief.
Drug issues will ultimately be a stain Ramirez will be unable to wipe off.
Quite arguably one of the best hitters in the game with 556 career home runs will be another has-been from the Steroid Era.
A third positive test would ban him from baseball for life, but it only took two strikes for Ramirez to strike out and remain forever alienated from any Hall of Fame ballot.
Ramirez will not be remembered for “Manny being Manny.” He will not be remembered for diving in front of a cut off throw; he will not be remembered for heading into the Fenway Park scoreboard in left field to use the bathroom; and he will not be remembered for helping end the “Curse of the Bambino” while on the Red Sox 2004 World Series team.
Rather, Ramirez has permanently stamped his name on the blacklist roster that is growing at an alarming rate in the Steroid Era.
A .059 batting average with 0 HR and 1 RBI in five games with the Rays is what we will remember, not the .312 career batting average in 18-plus seasons.
“Manny being Manny.” Not this time. It’s Manny being blacklisted.