Sunday, August 2, 2009

Star Manny Ramirez reportedly on 2003 list of positive drug tests

Manny Ramirez made his triumphant return to Dodger Stadium two weeks ago, with fans packing the Mannywood seats to welcome back the team's most popular player from his 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy.


Manny Ramirez





The Mannywood section will remain open, even after Ramirez on Thursday was linked again to the use of performance-enhancing substances. He and David Ortiz, the dynamic slugging duo that powered the Red Sox to World Series championships in 2004 -- Boston's first in 86 years -- and 2007, each tested positive for such substances six years ago, the New York Times reported.


Manny Ramirez photo




citing but not identifying lawyers familiar with the test results, stirred renewed debate within baseball about whether to release the names of all 104 players who tested positive in 2003, a list intended to remain confidential and currently under court seal.


Manny Ramirez smile





The names of four of the game's biggest stars -- Ramirez, Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa -- have been disclosed in three media reports over the last six months.


Manny Ramirez wallpaper





You have someone who's a little rat, who keeps poking his head out of the hole, "Why not just come out? Why throw a name out there every three months, every six months? Why keep playing these games?"


Manny Ramirez





Ortiz, known affectionately as Big Papi, issued a statement in which he said the players' union had confirmed the positive test for him and pledged to reveal more details as he learned them. "You know me, I will not hide and I will not make excuses,