After failing a second drug test, Rays designated hitter Manny Ramirez has decided to retire rather than appeal or face a 100-game suspension as a repeat offender.
Ramirez would have been the first player suspended 100 games.
Instead of notifying the Rays directly, Ramirez, who wasn't with the team today, notified the league, who issued the following statement (via MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez):
"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."
To take the roster spot vacated by Ramirez, the Rays have called up first baseman Casey Kotchman.
On the season, Ramirez was off to a rough start (like most of the Rays, who scored a league-worse eight runs in their first six games): one hit in 17 at-bats.
But as ESPN's Stats & Info blog points out via Twitter, Ramirez is one of only five players in Major League history to have hit .300-plus and 550-plus home runs for his career. The other four are Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Alex Rodriguez.
Is Manny a Hall of Famer? Let the debate start now ...
Showing posts with label Willie Mays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Willie Mays. Show all posts
Friday, April 8, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Nelson Cruz hits home run in fourth straight game
Heading into tonight's game against the Mariners, Ranger teammates Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz each had a three-game homer streak to start the season.
Although Kinsler did not hit a home run tonight, Cruz did.
That means that Cruz joins Willie Mays and Mark McGwire as the only players in baseball history to begin a season with a home run in each of the first four games.
Last year, Cruz started hot as well as he hit a home run in four of his first five games to start the season.
Of course, the end of the season is more important than the start of the season for Cruz, who has missed a combined 88 games in the past two seasons.
Over the past two seasons, however, Cruz still managed to belt 55 home runs and steal 37 bases, which would be a 162-game pace of 37-25 as I noted in my fantasy outfielder rankings.
Although Kinsler did not hit a home run tonight, Cruz did.
That means that Cruz joins Willie Mays and Mark McGwire as the only players in baseball history to begin a season with a home run in each of the first four games.
Last year, Cruz started hot as well as he hit a home run in four of his first five games to start the season.
Of course, the end of the season is more important than the start of the season for Cruz, who has missed a combined 88 games in the past two seasons.
Over the past two seasons, however, Cruz still managed to belt 55 home runs and steal 37 bases, which would be a 162-game pace of 37-25 as I noted in my fantasy outfielder rankings.
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