Manny being Manny?
↵Manny Ramirez reportedly flunked his second drug test this week, and rather than face an 100 game suspension, Ramirez has decided to retire from Major League Baseball. Ramirez signed with the Tampa Bay Rays over the winter after drawing minimal interest on the open market. The Texas Rangers had been linked to Ramirez as a possible destination, but the Rangers brass and Ramirez obviously never came to an agreement.
↵It's rather stunning to say the least - even for a character like Manny. We've heard "Manny being Manny" countless times, myself especially living in Connecticut. Still, his episodes were seemingly benign. Ramirez was traded by the Red Sox to the Dodgers in 2008 after the Ramirez honeymoon ended in Boston after the clubhouse - as well as the fans and media - turned against Ramirez.
↵Ramirez signed a two-year deal with the Dodgers in 2009, but it didn't take long for the Ramirez era to cool off there. In May 2009, Ramirez failed his first drug test and was suspended for 50 games. Ramirez was placed on waivers by the Dodgers last August and claimed by the Chicago White Sox, where he posted only a .729 OPS.
↵This ending, though, is bizarre even for Manny, retiring after just five games with the Rays. Looks like it was a blessing that Texas didn't sign Manny.
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