Miami Doctor Denies Prescribing HCG to Manny Ramirez

Sports Betting News - July 11th, 2009 - Written by Bruce

Miami doctor Pedro Publio Bosch has denied he ever prescribed Manny Ramirez with HCG. Two weeks ago ESPN did a report in which they said investigators were looking into the relationship between the Dodger's Ramirez and both Bosch and his son Anthony. It had been reported that the senior Bosch had provided Manny with a prescription for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which is banned by Major League Baseball. Pedro Publio Bosch issued a statement on Friday saying that "Mr. Manny Ramirez is not, nor has he ever been my patient. I have never prescribed drugs of any kind to Mr. Ramirez." He went on to say, " in my 33 years of practicing medicine in Coral Gables, Florida, I have never prescribed HCG, not to Mr. Ramirez not to anyone else."

ESPN issued a statement on Friday in which they stood by the original story saying that Bosch is indeed under investigation. Their statement talking about ESPN said,"stands by the original story which reported Dr. Bosch is being investigated by the DEA." The statement that Bosch issued on Friday refuted this claim saying that, " to the best of my knowledge there is no DEA investigation involving me in any matter whatsoever." It should be interesting to see how this case plays out as the investigation continues. It is speculated that the son, Anthony Bosch, was the connection between his dad and Ramirez. Whether the Bosch's have dealt with other athletes is another concern as the investigation continues.

All of this is the fallout from the 50 game suspension that the Dodgers Manny Ramirez recently completed. He was suspended for testing positive for the banned substance HCG. The product is a women's fertility drug, but is commonly used by athletes who are coming off of a steroid cycle. Ramirez has been back from suspension for about a week and joins a Los Angeles Dodgers team who has the best record in the majors at 55-31.