After testing positive for an illegal substance during spring training for the Tampa Bay Rays, Manny Ramirez has decided to promptly retire from MLB baseball after 19 seasons in the majors’.
Whether you agree are a hardcore baseball fan who disagrees with all types of cheating – including performance enhancing drugs – or someone who is willing to look the other way in favor of “entertainment”, Ramirez actions today should still come off as offensive and cowardly.
Rays Caught Off Guard
It’s safe to say that Manny was aware of the failed test …

Major League Baseball‘s October classic kicks off today in fine fashion, matching up the league’s best for a memorable playoff season.
Yesterday’s 1-game playoff between the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers was an instant (ESPN) Classic.  12-innings, something like 24 hits and 20 stranded base runners in total.  Both teams were hungry, but the Twins executed in the clutch and pulled out the win to advance to meet the Yankees – baseball’s best (regular season) team.
American League Series
New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins
The Yankees enter the postseason with the major’s best …

Some recent NFL signings have made me look back at how many times a sports franchise has made a dumb move by signing a player to a high-priced, long-term contract.  Whether the player was getting up there in age, hadn’t proved themself (really), or was just being paid on their historical performance, the teams that signed the players were affected in the long-term financially and took losses on the player.  Sure, the right signing can carry a franchise (e.g. Shaq, Manny Ramirez, Drew Brees), but the wrong signing can set …

Baseball News from L.A. Times
The first baseman drives in the game’s first run and has a three-run double in the seventh inning. Juan Pierre gets three more hits and Orlando Hudson extends hitting streak to 17. Continue reading on L.A. Times
The Los Angeles Dodgers are hardly missing a beat w/out slugger Manny Ramirez and still hold the major’s best record.  While many, including myself, thought they would struggle w/out Ramirez in the lineup, they have actually thrived.  Starting pitching is the primary reason, w/ both Billingsley and Wolf dominating so …

Baseball News from L.A. Times
They sweep the Padres and set a franchise record by starting 10-0 at Dodger Stadium. Outfielder Manny Ramirez sang to himself and juggled a couple of baseballs as he walked out of the Dodgers‘ clubhouse, his spirits visibly lifted by what transpired on the field Sunday.   Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times
He has two home runs, including a grand slam, and five RBIs while Andre Ethier and Orlando Hudson drive in three runs each.  The Dodgers are playing so well these days that they gave Manny Ramirez half the game off, without a care in the world.   Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times
He says his hamstring feels pretty good after playing three innings.  Manager Joe Torre said he knew it would be useless to tell Manny Ramirez to take it easy. Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times
He pitches six scoreless innings and has a two-run double in the second inning of an 11-4 victory over the Texas Rangers.  Randy Wolf pitched longer than any Dodger pitcher has pitched this spring, tossing six scoreless innings Sunday in an 11-4 victory over the Texas Rangers at Camelback Ranch.   Continue reading on L.A. Times

Despite Manny Ramirez‘ apparent hamstring injury, he did a promotional spot playing Cricket out in Gilbert, AZ.  This, after reports that he had confined his workouts to the pool.  Can’t say I’m surprised by Manny’s actions, but I would be highly upset if I was the Los Angeles Dodgers since they just promised Ramirez $45m over 2 yrs.
He is not running as he tries to relieve tightness in his left hamstring, which is keeping him out of spring-training games. Manny Ramirez says he is exercising in a swimming pool but …

Baseball News from L.A. Times
The team travels without him and defeats the Chicago Cubs, 5-4, with Jeff Weaver throwing two scoreless innings and Doug Mientkiewicz hitting his second home run in four games.  Manny Ramirez had his first full workout of the spring today with the Dodgers but missed their trip to HoHoKam Park and a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.   Continue reading on L.A. Times
After months and months of negotiating what turned out to the the same offfer, the Los Angeles Dodgers have Manny Ramirez under contract.  …

Baseball News from L.A. Times
The deal calls for million this season and million for the next — providing the slugger chooses to exercise the second-year option.  Intending to discourage further questioning about Manny Ramirez‘s absence from the Dodgers‘ spring training camp, Manager Joe Torre said on Wednesday that the All-Star outfielder probably wouldn’t be playing through the weekend.  Continue reading on L.A. Times
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Manny Ramirez are at odds again over their latest contract offer, reportedly $45 million over 2 yrs, including a player option …

Baseball News from L.A. Times
Dodgers made an offer almost three months ago, the slugger’s agent rejected it, and now neither seems about to blink.  Jeff Kent had cried his last tear. He gathered his family and went on with the rest of his life, and the Dodgers went on with the rest of their business.  Continue reading on L.A. Times
Perhaps the retirement of Jeff Kent will help the Los Angeles Dodgers free up some more money to re-sign Manny Ramirez to a multi-year deal.  The issue is his stability and …

Baseball News from L.A. Times
The Dodgers have agreed to trade or release Jones in exchange for his deferring much of the million remaining on his contract.  Andruw Jones and the Dodgers? One and done. Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times
In the five years Frank and Jamie McCourt have owned the team, the cost for a family of four to attend a Dodgers game has increased almost 57%. The Team Marketing Report, which tracks the costs of attending baseball games with information provided by most teams, says it cost a family of four last season $229.14 to attend a Dodgers game. Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times
On the day that he officially signs with the Dodgers, the shortstop says he never agreed to a deal with Atlanta. On the day Rafael Furcal passed a physical and signed his name on a three-year, -million contract with the Dodgers, he found himself deflecting questions about his agents’ dealing with the Atlanta Braves. Continue reading on L.A. Times
Perhaps it is just me, but I believe that the Atlanta Braves would’ve regreted signing Rafael Furcal to a long-term deal – an expensive one at that.  Let …