Manny Ramirez has been suspended for 50 games, beginning immediately, after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The former Red Sox and current Dodgers outfielder is by far the biggest name to be suspended yet under the sport’s drug-testing and punishment system that began in 2003.
Ramirez waived his right to challenge the ruling, attributing the test results to medication he received from a doctor for a personal issue.
Manny issued a statement this afternoon:
"Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK 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."
"I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans. LA is a special place to me and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I’m sorry about this whole situation."
Ramirez had been hitting .348 with six home runs and 20 RBI in his first 27 games for the NL West leading Dodgers, who will be without Ramirez until early July.
According to the L.A. Times, Manny Ramirez abruptly dropped an appeal of his 50-game suspension after realizing that Major League Baseball had his medical records.
