Manny Ramirez Suspended 50 Games for Positive Test

According to the Los Angeles Times, Dodgers superstar Manny Ramirez is to be hit with a 50-game ban for a violation of MLB's drug policy, making him the biggest name yet caught and punished.

Ramirez used HCG -- human chorionic gonadotropin -- a women's fertility drug, according to a report on ESPN.com. Sources in the slugger's camp have indicated that he was prescribed the substance because of erectile dysfunction, according to Yahoo! Sports, however, erectile dysfunction is a potential side effect of steroid use and many dopers use HCG or other similar substances to kickstart the body's production of testosterone as they come off of a steroid cycle.

Ramirez's drug test raised huge red flags with Major League Baseball because his testosterone levels were so out of whack, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. His testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio was greater than 4 to 1. In most humans, the ratio is closer to 1 to 1. Testers also got a hold of documents that showed he was using HCG, meaning they had a drug test that indicated PED use and an analytical positive.

Ramirez issued the following statement through the players' union, which said he did not challenge the suspension.

"Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was okay to give me. Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing; I've taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons.

"I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans. LA is a special place to me and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I'm sorry about this whole situation." – Manny Ramirez

Still, this is quite a blow to Manny, the Dodgers and baseball.

Manny had become beloved in L.A., where he had helped erase some of the bad publicity he created for himself by sulking his way out of Boston last summer.

"We share the disappointment felt by our fans, players and every member of our organization," Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said in a statement. "We will welcome Manny back upon his return."

Ramirez's entire career – 17th-all time in homers and 19th in RBI – is now tainted. "Manny being Manny," won't cut it any more. He's no longer quirky; now he's just another user.

On the field, the Dodgers have a nice cushion in the NL West, 6 1/2 games over the Giants. But all the excitement of a 13-0 start in home games now turns to consternation over Manny – who merely leads the team in average (.348), walks (26), on-base percentage (.492, best in the NL) and slugging percentage (.641). This is the kind of test to a team's mindset that Joe Torre regularly dealt with (successfully) in New York.

Most of all, this reinforces the notion that anyone who performed at a high level in the past 15 years was getting help.

If Hall of Fame voters keep out players who have been suspended for or admitted to using PEDs, the list includes Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez and Rafael Palmeiro. Add in Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, whose performances in front of Congress seem to have gotten them blackballed, and Barry Bonds and that's six of the top 17 in career home runs.

Latest Manny Ramirez Images

Los Angeles Dodgers Manny Ramirez hits a two-run double against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Lori Shepler).

Los Angeles Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw is tagged out by Washington Nationals catcher Jesus Flores during the fifith inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 6, 2009. Dodgers' Manny Ramirez was safe at first on a fielder's choice. (AP Photo/Lori Shepler).

Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez celebrates as he advances to third base off of an RBI single by teammate Andre Ethier during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, May 5, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez, right, grimaces after being hit by a pitch as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder stands at left, during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles on Monday, May 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Hector Mata)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez gestures after being hit by a pitch during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Los Angeles on Monday, May 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Hector Mata)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Los Angeles on Monday, May 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Hector Mata)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday, May 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Hector Mata)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 03: Manny Ramirez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates a 7-3 victory over the San Diego Padres with teammates at Dodger Stadium on May 3, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Ramirez

Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 30: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates a 8-5 win with Manny Ramirez #99 and Andre Ethier #16 over the San Diego Padres after the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on April 30, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers would win 8-5. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Kemp;Manny Ramirez;Andre Ethier

Getty Images

Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez, left, celebrates with Rafael Furcal after Ramirez hit a solo home run in the third inning against the San Diego Padres on Thursday, April 30, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Pasadena Star-News, Keith Birmingham) ** MAGS OUT NO SALES **