Manny Ramirez retires

[Invader3K]

Being reported by Jerry Crasnick on Twitter just now. More info coming.

This tweet has more info:

Ramirez was notified of issue under the MLB's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Rather than continue with the process, Manny retired.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Guess he didn't like their 0-6 start. That and the fact that he sucks.

[owbc]

Wow, he mustered just one hit for the Rays. A stunning fall from grace that was likely accelerated by drug testing.

[PrinceEatMeat]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6310125

 

Looks like it has to do with a failed drug test.

[Invader3K]

One has to think this may put a damper on his future Hall of Fame chances.

[DocBrewPack]

Myabe im being a bit cold, but i love seeing guys like him (by that i mean steroid users) have exactly thing like this happen. I hope he doesnt get in HOF

[JimH5]

That's a shame. Bill Simmons should be entertaining in the coming days.

 

I like Manny, but clearly he failed another test, and is done.

[bigredrobbo]

Manny being Barry!

[DocLuna7]

Another link: http://msn.foxsports.com/...-policy-violation-040811

 

Looks like its definitely drug related. I'm wondering if it's steroids or something that's non performance enhancing.

[chuckiehacks]

I refuse to take accountability for my actions, I'll just quit.

 

I should probably head over to the political board before I make any comparisons to politicians.

[Invader3K]

This whole thing kind of proves that MLB's drug testing works, though.

[owbc]

ESPN is reporting that Manny tested positive for a banned substance in Spring Training and would have faced a 100-game suspension.

 

Hopefully he fades into oblivion.

[GormanHarvey]

Another link: http://msn.foxsports.com/...-policy-violation-040811

 

Looks like its definitely drug related. I'm wondering if it's steroids or something that's non performance enhancing.

 

 

It said in the ESPN link that it was PEDs and that he retired to avoid a 100 game suspension

[MJLiverock]

Considering this was probably his last year, a 100 game suspension would have effectively retired him anyway.

[crewcrazy]

Kind of a bummer to see his career end like this, because he's probably up there with Pujols as the scariest right-handed hitters over the past 10 years. The sad thing is you pretty much have to be a moron to actually get caught cheating under the MLB drug testing policy, and he's gotten popped twice now.

 

Still a Hall of Famer in my book.

[RockCoCougars]

This guy is not a Hall of Famer by any stretch of the imagination. He is now a twice proven cheat, and was likely juicing for his entire career. Case closed.

[The Truth]

I do not think Manny or McGwire or Sosa or any other very obvious Steroid taking cheater belongs in the Hall of Fame, but certainly not Manny who has been caught twice now

[davemakovec]

I think the multiple positive tests cast serious doubt on his Hall of Fame chances, and imply that he was using for much of his career.

 

Those numbers don't look nearly as good with an asterisk next to them.

[I Heart Brewers]

Do you think he will go into the HOF as a Ray?

[joepepsi]

Manny was always one of my favorite players. He was a great hitter, so I'm sorry to see he was cheating. He was never the sharpest tool in the shed, so I guess if someone was going to be stupid enough to get twice, it's not surprising it was him.

[DocBrewPack]

The headline should be he quit, not retired.

[LouisEly]

Considering that McGwire doesn't even get 25% of the vote I highly doubt that Ramirez gets anywhere near the HOF.

[RyDogg66]

Manny was twice the player McGwire was.

[COBrewerfan]

Manny was twice the player McGwire was.

 

Because he tested positive twice to McGwire's zero?

[Invader3K]

I think some are seriously underselling what a talent Ramirez has been. Baseball-reference.com's similar batters for Manny Ramirez:

 

1. Frank Thomas (864)

2. Jimmie Foxx (860) *

3. Ted Williams (832) *

4. Jim Thome (819)

5. Ken Griffey (815)

6. Gary Sheffield (813)

7. Mickey Mantle (812) *

8. Frank Robinson (806) *

9. Chipper Jones (802)

10. Reggie Jackson (792) *

 

I'd say that's a pretty good list. He should go into the Hall of Fame if you base it solely on career stats, but won't do to the pall of PEDs cast over his career.