SB Nation Boston - Manny Ramirez Retires After 'Issue' With MLB's Drug Programhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2011-04-09T17:41:40-04:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18633342011-04-09T17:41:40-04:002011-04-09T17:41:40-04:00Terry Francona Decides Not To Comment On Manny Ramirez's Abrupt Retirement
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jjLHUmtSDznRZQXE-EfmQpii0IU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828103/large_boston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Terry Francona managed <span>Manny Ramirez</span> when he was a member of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> for four seasons from 2004 through 2008, but the Red Sox skipper <a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/2192331/tito-manny-hes-not-our-player" target="_blank">didn't have anything to say about his former players' decision to retire</a> amidst <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2011/4/8/2099293/manny-ramirez-retires-drug-program" target="_blank">new steroid use allegations</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal;">"I thought about it [Friday] night a little bit and I really don't have a comment," the Red Sox manager said before Saturday's game with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a>. "He's not our player. I don't know anything about it. I saw a blurb and I guess I really don't have a comment.</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Ramirez played 19 seasons in the major leagues, finishing with a lifetime batting average of .312 and 555 career home runs. In eight seasons with the Red Sox, Ramirez batted .312 and had 1,232 hits, 274 home runs and 868 RBI.</p>
<p>Ramirez signed a one-year deal worth $2 million in the offseason with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a>, but only appeared in five games with the team before announcing his retirement. He had one hit in 17 at-bats with one RBI this season.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2011/4/9/2101056/manny-ramirez-retirement-steroids-red-sox-terry-francona-commentsGethin Coolbaugh2011-04-09T12:03:16-04:002011-04-09T12:03:16-04:00Is Manny Ramirez An All-Time Red Sox Great?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gDjZYLBQfSzXbvy6ra6Rcx7r0G0=/0x177:517x522/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/2408170/GYI0064258949.jpg" />
<figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>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 <a href="http://www.overthemonster.com" target="new"><strong>Over The Monster</strong></a>.</p> <p><span>Manny Ramirez</span> has been labeled many things during his 19 seasons in Major League Baseball. He's been called one of his time's best right-handed hitters, he's been called a quitter, and almost everything in between.</p>
<p>When push came to shove, it was just Manny being Manny. But was Manny being Manny enough to insert him into the discussion of one of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a>' all-time greats?</p>
<p>The answer varies from person to person, but if you sit down and look at the cold hard facts, how can anyone argue that he isn't?</p>
<p>Like him or not, Manny Ramirez was indeed one of the greatest hitters of his time. Following his retirement on Friday afternoon, Ramirez career numbers are the following: .312 batting average, 2,574 hits, 555 home runs, 1,831 RBI. </p>
<p>In eight seasons with the Red Sox, Ramirez hit .312 with 1,232 hits, 274 home runs and 868 RBI.</p>
<p>Ramirez ranks sixth all-time in home runs in franchise history and is seventh all-time in RBI. In addition, Manny ranks ninth in lifetime batting average and 18th in hits in franchise history.</p>
<p>More importantly is the fact that Ramirez was key to bringing the Red Sox two World Series titles in the last decade, even winning the World Series MVP award in 2004.</p>
<p>It's clear that Manny has the numbers of an all-time great, and he's certainly got the hardware in two World Series rings and a World Series MVP award.</p>
<p>However, there is another part of the debate that is important to consider: he was a proven cheater. Ramirez was suspended for 50 games back in 2009 after violating MLB's performance enhancing drug policy. </p>
<p>Now, Ramirez's latest illegal drug snafu led to his decision to retire, as reports surfaced that he had failed a performance enhancing drug test in spring training that would have resulted in a 100-game suspension.</p>
<p>Ramirez played only five games for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> this season after signing a one-year deal worth $2 million in the offseason. Ramirez was a mere 1-for-17 (.059 batting average) with zero home runs and one RBI.</p>
<p>There's no defending Manny on the drug front. He broke the rules of baseball, and he did it twice. That in itself is unacceptable, and will most likely cost him a spot in baseball's Hall of Fame, a place where a player with his numbers certainly belongs.</p>
<p>Yet, as crazy as it might sound, that has little to no bearing on whether or not Ramirez is an all-time Sox legend.</p>
<p>Regardless of his steroid use, Ramirez solidified himself as a Red Sox all-time great by winning two World Series titles. It's safe to assume that, had the Red Sox not had number 24 in left field in both 2004 and 2007, they may still be stuck at five World Series title. In fact, the Sox may have been in the midst of a 92-year World Series drought.</p>
<p>Like it or not, Ramirez's steroid use has no bearing on his status as a Red Sox legend. I am in no way defending or supporting Manny's drug use, but you just can't ignore the facts, and the facts prove that Ramirez is a Red Sox legend.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2011/4/9/2100523/manny-ramirez-retirement-steroids-red-sox-raysGethin Coolbaugh2011-04-08T18:04:52-04:002011-04-08T18:04:52-04:00Manny Ramirez Reportedly Tested Positive For PED In Spring Training
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jjLHUmtSDznRZQXE-EfmQpii0IU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828103/large_boston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>More information is beginning to come out following
<meta charset="utf-8">
<span>Manny Ramirez</span>'s <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2011/4/8/2099293/manny-ramirez-retires-drug-program" target="_blank">shocking retirement</a> from baseball Friday afternoon after "an issue" with MLB's drug program. According to both the New York Post's <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Joelsherman1/status/56455887946133504" target="_blank">Joel Sherman</a> and Michael Schmidt at the <a href="http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/ramirez-retires-after-testing-positive/?smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto" target="_blank">New York Times</a>, Manny tested positive in spring training and was only recently made aware of it. </p>
<blockquote>
<p>Ramirez tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug during spring training and was recently informed of the positive result, according to the people.</p>
<p>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."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Assuming that's accurate, Manny would have faced a 100-game suspension. Rather than face that, the 38-year old opted to just retire. </p>
<p>Ramriez signed with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> 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 <span>Casey Kotchman</span> to fill his spot on the roster. </p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2011/4/8/2099491/manny-ramirez-retires-drug-test-pedRyan Hudson2011-04-08T16:45:50-04:002011-04-08T16:45:50-04:00Manny Ramirez Retires After 'Issue' With MLB's Drug Program
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jjLHUmtSDznRZQXE-EfmQpii0IU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828103/large_boston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Major League Baseball just <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/4/8/2099314/manny-ramirez-retires-after-issue-with-mlb-drug-policy" target="_blank">announced</a> Friday afternoon that <span>Manny Ramirez</span> 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: </p>
<p>
<meta charset="utf-8">
</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span style="line-height: 16px;">"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."</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span style="line-height: 16px;">The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> 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." </span></p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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. </p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2011/4/8/2333049/manny-ramirez-retires-after-issue-with-mlbs-drug-programRyan Hudson