MLB suspends Manny Ramirez 50 games for drug violation
May 7, 2009 by Tariq under World News
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Los Angeles Dodgers star outfielder Manny Ramirez tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and was suspended for 50 games, Major League Baseball announced Thursday.Through a statement released through baseball’s players’ union, Ramirez said the positive test resulted from a medication prescribed by a doctor, and not from a steroid. Ramirez waived his right to challenge the suspension.
“Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue,” Ramirez said in the statement. “He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was okay 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.”
Ramirez is the biggest star player to test positive for drugs since Rafael Palmeiro, who tested positive in 2005. Palmeiro blamed it on a B-12 shot administered by teammate Miguel Tejada, and is out of baseball, finishing with 569 homers and 3,020 hits.
Ramirez, who signed a two-year, $45 million contract, has helped lead the Dodgers to a major-league leading 21-8 record. He is batting .348 with six homers and 20 RBI.
Scott Boras, Ramirez’s agent, was unavailable for comment. He is expected to brief reporters on the reason for Ramirez’s positive test, according to his office.
The news is expected to shake the Ramirez’s image in Los Angeles. He had been a model citizen since being traded July 31, 2008, to the Boston Red Sox. He also becomes the second star this year to be linked to performance-enhancing drugs. New York Yankee All-Star third baseman Alex Rodriguez acknowledged in Feburary that he used steroids from 2001 to 2003.
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