No Manny for 50 Games
Out of the blue, we hear that Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers was suspended for 50 games due to a test for performance-enhancing drugs. Didn't see that coming, eh?
As much as we sat on our hands waiting for the effects of the Mitchell Report to come to the surface, the cases of Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez show how much weight this report still has in the Commissioner's Office. Though no disciplinary action was taken on A-Rod at the time of the revelations, the Commissioner's Office went into light speed to serve Ramirez his sentence.
Is justice unfair at the Commissioner's Office? If the suspension was a way to show the league that it is serious about disciplinary actions based on a player's use of performance-enhancing drugs and other banned substances, then perhaps Commissioner Bud Selig, President and Chief Operating Officer Bob DuPuy and everyone else trying to figure out how to deal with this issue with over a year since the Mitchell Report was released certainly think they might have this right.
I very much doubt this to be true. Still, we are awaiting the tablets from the mountaintop as to an exact policy on performance-enhancing drugs based on the recommendations of the Mitchell Report. Still, a historical test from the early 2000's and a snap test made in private do not account for a transparent policy.
It should not take a second month into the second season from the release of the Mitchell Report to implement a policy all of the sudden. Is this the first time anyone in the stands heard about the "three-strike" disciplinary policy? If Manny is tested positive for PEDs again, he serves a 100-game suspension. His third offense will mean a lifetime ban from the game. Is there an actual document stating this is the absolute policy as a result of the recommendations of the Mitchell Report? When was this implemented?
To make Manny as its first fall guy is more fodder than anyone needs right now. Not at a player's loss of $7.7 Million through 50 scheduled games. To the fans in Mannywood, that's several home games without the Dodgers' re-acquired sparkplug - one of the catalysts for the record 13-straight home runs. It's now Juan Pierre's position in the lineup for the next 50 games, Dodger fans.
I'm certain the press conference will tell us more about this situation, especially the timeframe of the test on Manny, the notification about the test and the result reporting procedure.
Inquiring minds want to know: How and why?
Eric Montgomery wrote on Facebook: Randy I didn't know that the "Heirloom" was your blog. Kudos on a cool gig. As a Dodger fan I am disappointed that we lose a bat in our lineup but I know the team will overcome it.
Randy's response: Thanks, Eric! This has been a fun gig for the past year or so.
There is more on this: First of all, Manny said that he was prescribed a medication by his doctor for some ailment he had. It turned out that the medication showed up on a random drug test which was seen as a banned substance.
Secondly, the discipline schedule was announced at the beginning of last season as a response to the Mitchell Report. I did not see such a policy stated on MLB.com unless i went back deep into the archives as an announcement by the Commissioner's Office. I stand corrected.
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Whether things moved faster than normal for this to happen with Manny, the result is still the same. I have very little sympathy for the player, but I do feel for the fans and Manny's teammates. Is he a scapegoat? Is the league setting an example? Probably, but I don't really mind it. There's no room for cheats in this game. If it has to start at the top and feed it's way down, then so be it. But the Dodgers are a great franchise with a proud history and a strong fanbase. This won't affect them as mcuh as everyone is saying it will. Yes it's a distraction they don't need. And yes, they can't replace his bat like-for-like. But the Dodgers are too classy to let this derail them.
Ash
http://ashleymarshall.mlblogs.com
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Hi Ash, good points!
At my "water cooler," we talked about the "star as example" ideal. Comapred to most of the major sports leagues in North America, rarely do you hear of any disciplinary action against their PED policies levied on their stars. The NFL comes close, but only their high profile (and, mainy, just-drafted) troublemakers are caught. Leagues were always afraid to target their most shining stars in part to not lose precious revenue from advertising, promotions and media coverage. If this is an honest and fair response by the Commissioner's Office and the Executive Team, then this is indeed a message to the rest of the sports business and this game.
Randy
http://heirloom.mlblogs.com
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Eric Montgomery wrote on Facebook: ESPN has reported that Manny didn't fail a test but was being investgated for elevated testosterone levels. During the investigation it was found that he had taken a banned drug. As the day goes on more comes out.
Randy's response: I just read that, Eric. Somehow, the policy is becoming more of an "end justifies the means" type of enforcement. It seems that from what Manny said, he was prescribed the medication - it wasn't his choice. So, how does the policy, as enforced by the Commissioner's Office and the Executive team of MLB, handles scenarios such as this? Also, I tried to find whether this policy has an appeals process through Jimmie Lee Solomon's office (Exec VP of Baseball Operations, MLB). Normally, most disciplary actions from Bob Watson's (Sr. VP Baseball Operations, MLB) usually have appellate processes - so is this more a "three strikes and your out - and don't argue about it" situation?
Back to the Mitchell Report...
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Eric Montgomery wrote on Facebook: Reports are says Manny declined any appeals. That he was going to appeal the suspension today but withdrew it. It's looking like Manny was up to something but time will tell.
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