Terry Francona Decides Not To Comment On Manny Ramirez's Abrupt Retirement

Is Manny Ramirez An All-Time Red Sox Great?

One day after Manny Ramirez announced his retirement from baseball after 19 seasons following yet another failed drug test, the debate begins to solidify as to whether or not Ramirez is an all-time Red Sox great. Read more at Over The Monster.

Manny Ramirez Reportedly Tested Positive For PED In Spring Training

More information is beginning to come out following  Manny Ramirez's shocking retirement from baseball Friday afternoon after "an issue" with MLB's drug program. According to both the New York Post's Joel Sherman and Michael Schmidt at the New York Times, Manny tested positive in spring training and was only recently made aware of it. 

Ramirez tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug during spring training and was recently informed of the positive result, according to the people.

In a news release, the commissioner's office said it had recently notified Ramirez "of an issue under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program."

Assuming that's accurate, Manny would have faced a 100-game suspension. Rather than face that, the 38-year old opted to just retire. 

Ramriez signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as a free agent in the offseason but was just 1-for-17 while appearing in five games this season. The Rays have called up Casey Kotchman to fill his spot on the roster. 

Manny Ramirez Retires After 'Issue' With MLB's Drug Program

Major League Baseball just announced Friday afternoon that Manny Ramirez is retiring from baseball after the league recently notified him of "an issue" under baseball's drug prevention and treatment program. Per their official statement: 

"Major League Baseball recently notified Manny Ramirez of an issue under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. 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. MLB will not have any further comment on this matter."

The Tampa Bay Rays issued their own, brief statement as well: "We are obviously surprised and disappointed by this news. We will have no further comment on this matter." 

Ramirez, who had already been suspended 50 games for violating baseball's Performance Enhancing Drug policy in 2009, would have faced a 100-game suspension for a second violation. 

The 38-year old signed with Tampa Bay in the offseason had just 17 at-bats in five games with the Rays this season. Ramirez, one of his generations best hitter, will retire with 555 career home runs.