Manny Ramirez Returns From Drug Suspension With Triple A Albuquerque

Gambling News - June 25, 2009 - Written by Jimmy

One of Major League Baseball's most enigmatic players, Manny Ramirez, is now beginning his comeback to the big leagues. Ramirez, 36, is currently serving a 50 game suspension, handed down by MLB, for a fail drug test, for a fertility drug. The news of the suspension came down on May 8th, which really turned the baseball world upside down.

Man Ram, as he is affectionately called by fans and teammates, is an integral part of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and is now looking to pick up, where he left off, before serving the 50 game suspension. At the time, the Dodgers were cruising, in first place in the NL West, and the loss of Ramirez looked to be a death sentence for the ball club. Little did we know that the Dodgers wouldn't need Ramirez, to hold their first place lead. Currently the only team in MLB with a commanding division lead. In essence, they didn't miss a beat without Ramirez.

Now that Ramirez is slated to come back to the Dodgers, on July 3rd. Until then, he will begin a stint with the Dodgers top triple A affiliate club, the Albuquerque Isotopes. Though punished for using performance enhancing drugs, Ramirez was greeted warmly by the Albuquerque fans, as they flocked to fill the stadium, in record numbers. Before the game on Wednesday, Ramirez is quoted as saying "People love me everywhere I go," and then goes on to say "I'm excited to bring a lot of joy to a lot of people here. I feel good. I'm happy that I'm here." Ramirez began playing with the Isotopes on Tuesday, and has thus far only played two games for them, going a combined 0 for 3, with a walk.

Though playing against lesser talent, Ramirez can't be expected to just come back to game, in full swing. For that reason, the Dodgers felt it would be best for Manny to tune up, with the triple A club, which is allowed by Major League Baseball, for players returning from drug suspensions.

Manny Ramirez has always drawn heat because of his lackadaisical play in the field, and his laid back attitude, in the clubhouse. The Dodgers obtained Ramirez, last year from the Boston Red Sox, at which point, he single-handedly jump started the Dodgers, leading them to the NLCS, where they eventually lost to the Philadelphia Phillies. Ramirez also drew a lot of attention, in the off-season, while contract negotiations with Dodgers, stalled, started, and stalled again, in a dispute over compensation, and length of the contract. Ramirez, his agent, and Dodgers owner Frank McCord, were finally able to reach an acceptable deal, which was completed in time, for Manny to participate in Dodgers' spring training.

All eyes will be on Ramirez as he makes his return to the Major League. He will play tonight with Albuquerque, take Friday off, before playing four more games, with Dodgers Class A affiliate Inland Empire, in Lake Elsinore on Saturday, followed by three more games with them, in San Bernardino. This all leads up to Ramirez's return to the Dodgers, on July 3rd, as they take on the San Diego Padres, in San Diego, California.