As arguably baseball's biggest steroid suspension, Manny Ramirez accomplished an uneventful return to the LA Dodgers lineup on this 4th of July, 2009. Appears that steroid and PED abuse is so prevalent that a large segment of the population just either doesn't care about cheating the game, or worse even encourages the bloating of players. From Reuters:
Playing for the first time since the suspension was handed out on May 7 for violating the Major League Baseball drug policy, Ramirez brought the Padres home Petco Park to its feet during his first at-bat, a first-inning walk.
The right-hander also grounded out twice and popped out before being replaced in left field by Juan Pierre in the bottom of the sixth.
"It was great. I was nervous at first but it was fine," Ramirez told reporters.
So many athletes abused PEDs and AASs that Ramirez should not become the poster boy for 'roiders; on the other hand it is amazing that baseball gave up a premier player...something the sport could not effect for Sosa, McGwire, and Bonds.
"It was great. I was nervous at first but it was fine," Ramirez told reporters.
"I want to thank my fans. I think they drove from (Los Angeles) just to watch me play and it was unbelievable. This team can do a lot of great things without me. I'm just trying to follow those guys."
With a large contingent of Dodger supporters making their way to the sold-out stadium of 42,217 fans, Ramirez was welcomed warmly for the most part with the applause drowning out the boos.
His much anticipated return included a pre-game news conference in which he apologized to fans and team mates but refused to answer questions about the banned substances that evoked his suspension.
"I don't want to get into (that)," Ramirez told reporters.
"I don't want to talk about my record. I just want to talk about the game. It was tough but it's over.
"I'm moving on."
Manny should move on, but baseball shouldn't.
Obviously no one cares. Why else would the NFL be so popular?
Posted by: Merlin Williams | 08/17/2009 at 23:14