Manny suspended for 50 games

After last night's throttling of the Washington Nationals, I couldn't have been happier with the Dodgers. I can honestly say I have never witnessed such a strong start from the team; A record breaking 13-0 start at home, a league leading batting average of .320 at home, second in the league in ERA of 2.44 at home and 3.72 overall, and not to mention having the best record in the majors. The runs were piling up, the pitching was coming together, and the team was winning with great regularity. Once again I couldn't have been happier to be a fan of the boys in blue. That is, until I got the news that Manny had been suspended for 50 games for a drug violation.

The saddest part of it all, is that I cannot say that I am surprised. How can I be? Most of the games best have been brought back down to Earth with failed drug tests or steroid allegations; A-Rod, Clemens, McGwire, Bonds, Raffy, and now Manny. However Manny didn't test positive for the drugs we have come so accustomed to hearing our athletes use. It wasn't HGH, andro, and it wasn't a steroid. No it was gonadotropin, a banned substance under MLB drug policy. The drug is used for women as fertility drugs and by men to help with erectile dysfunction. So basically the Dodgers will be without their most dangerous hitter, because he wanted to keep Mrs. Ramirez (and possibly his road beef) happy in the bedroom.

The erectile dysfunction could have been the result of years of steroid abuse or because he is on the wrong side of his 30's. No matter the reason he was taking these drugs, he was dumb enough not to check with his team trainer or the team doctors to see if it was a banned substance, and lastly he could have just used Cialis or Viagra. Now that Manny has his rod in working condition, I and the rest of the true blue are left with a deflating feeling.

It reminds me of the time I was looking forward to seeing my dog Sammy after my first semester at college. He was a former homeless dog who had to fight other dogs for food, we rescued him. In doing so I became his best friend. He was always happy to see me, and I couldn't wait to go play fetch with the mutt. After the 7 hour drive home I dropped my bags off in the living room and gave my parents a quick hug. I was inquisitive as to why my dog hadn't greeted me at the door like he always had. So I asked where he was. Then the news came, my dog had to be put down. My parents didn't want to tell me on the phone, so they waited till I came home. The only thing I wanted to do was play fetch with my dog, and that was no longer possible. It was a deflating feeling, much like the news that the savior of the Dodgers is using PEDs.

Anyways the Dodgers will be without his services until July 3. Outfielder Xavier Paul was promoted from triple-A to take Ramirez’s place on the roster. The suspension will cost Ramirez close to $8 million in lost wages. And now I will leave you with a song that will make me think of Manny every time I hear it from here on out.