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**googlopharm** · 07-05-2009, 04:48 PM

Ramirez Is Banned 50 Games After Positive Tests

By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT

Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers All-Star outfielder, was suspended by Major League Baseball on Thursday for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

Ramirez’s suspension will begin tonight, M.L.B. said in a written statement, and will cost him about a third of his $25 million salary this year. He will be eligible to return July 3.

Scott Boras, Ramirez’s agent, told ESPN that his client did not test positive for a steroid but for a drug his doctor prescribed him for a medical condition.

The suspension shows that baseball’s drug testing program is working, however, it once again tarnishes one of the game’s premier sluggers. Ramirez joins the ranks of the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire, who have been tied to the use of performance-enhancing drugs over the past decade.

In February, Rodriguez admitted that he used a performance-enhancing substance from 2001 to 2003 after it was revealed he tested positive for steroids in a preliminary phase of baseball’s drug-testing system in 2003. Positive tests then did not yet draw punishment. Now, the first positive drug test draws a 50-game ban.

Ramirez’s loss will jolt the Dodgers, who Wednesday night set a modern Major League record with their 13th straight home victory to start the season. Their 21-8 record is the best in baseball.

Ramirez joined the Dodgers via trade from the Boston Red Sox last August. He propelled the Dodgers to the playoffs last season, hitting .396 with 17 homers after the trade. He signed a two-year, $45 million contract before this season and was hitting .348 with 6 homers and 20 R.B.I. in 27 games this season.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/sp...=nytimessports

07-05-2009, 04:48 PM	#1
googlopharm Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 421 Senior Member	Manny Ramirez Tests Positive - Suspended 50 Games Ramirez Is Banned 50 Games After Positive Tests By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers All-Star outfielder, was suspended by Major League Baseball on Thursday for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Ramirez’s suspension will begin tonight, M.L.B. said in a written statement, and will cost him about a third of his $25 million salary this year. He will be eligible to return July 3. Scott Boras, Ramirez’s agent, told ESPN that his client did not test positive for a steroid but for a drug his doctor prescribed him for a medical condition. The suspension shows that baseball’s drug testing program is working, however, it once again tarnishes one of the game’s premier sluggers. Ramirez joins the ranks of the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire, who have been tied to the use of performance-enhancing drugs over the past decade. In February, Rodriguez admitted that he used a performance-enhancing substance from 2001 to 2003 after it was revealed he tested positive for steroids in a preliminary phase of baseball’s drug-testing system in 2003. Positive tests then did not yet draw punishment. Now, the first positive drug test draws a 50-game ban. Ramirez’s loss will jolt the Dodgers, who Wednesday night set a modern Major League record with their 13th straight home victory to start the season. Their 21-8 record is the best in baseball. Ramirez joined the Dodgers via trade from the Boston Red Sox last August. He propelled the Dodgers to the playoffs last season, hitting .396 with 17 homers after the trade. He signed a two-year, $45 million contract before this season and was hitting .348 with 6 homers and 20 R.B.I. in 27 games this season. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/sp...=nytimessports
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