Ortiz, Manny Tested PED-Positive In '03

And there it is. The one we've pretty much been waiting for and pretty much have expected. According to the New York Times, Big Papi and Manny are both on the list of 104 MLB players who tested positive for steroids in 2003. Add them to Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Alex Rodriguez, all of whom have already been linked to the list over the past year.

Well, this is quite the non-surprise. And to reiterate, it does not change how I feel about Manny or Papi. It is what it is: fucking everybody has been taking steroids since Brady Anderson hit fucking 50 home runs in the mid-90s, not to mention the Bash Brothers doing it even before that. Let's get over it, and adjust the curve accordingly please. It wasn't even illegal (in MLB rules), so who the fuck cares. Let's just accept that people were using *legal* shit to make them better, faster, stronger, and now that we've banned it, let's move on. Like swimming.

[New York Times]
[ESPN.com]
[Deadspin]

BREAKING: Manny Ramirez Tests Positive; Suspended 50 Games

Official announcement from MLB will come later today.

Right from Peter Gammons's mouth right now as I watch SportsCenter: Scott Boras says -- and Gammons believes him -- that Manny had an ailment, went to his doctor in Florida who prescribed something for Manny and assured Manny that it was fine to take, turns out it wasn't okay.

The Dodgers are 21-8 (modern record 13-0 at home); Manny's batting .348 with 6 HRs and 20 RBIs. Holy shit.

Manny released the following statement to the press via the MLBPA:

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.

I have to say, this is awful news for baseball fans. I've always liked Manny, even to a certain extent when he was on the Sox (i.e. to the extent that they weren't beating us), him and Papi. Both nice enough guys, funny guys. I hope he's able to get through this relatively unscathed, career wise, but to do that, he's gotta definitively prove everything he said in that statement. Doctor, medication, prescription, failed test, positive tests - everything. Really pulling for him.

[LATimes.com]
[ESPN.com]

Question of the Day

SportsCenter had this question to viewers. It's a good one.

Who would you want on your team? Terrell Owens, Manny Ramirez or Alex
Rodriguez?

They are all superstars and considered one of the best in their
respective sport. I'd add Sean Avery and Stephon Marbury to that list
for a NHL and NBA representation, but both those guys are replaceable.

I'd say TO. At least he'll play every possible game for you and he'll
come through in the clutch.