Manny Back to Baseball with a Bang

In Manny Ramirez's second game back to Major League Baseball after his 50 game suspension he showed the LA Dodgers' fans what they had been missing. In his first at bat of the night Manny hit a monster home run. The fact that it was a high change up should not detract from the fact that his first hit back in the MLB was a home run. Although it should be noted that it is only hit since returning from suspension. Manny is one for six with a walk, since returning to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Even though the game was played at the San Diego Padres you would never know it; a majority of the people at the park were LA Dodgers' fans who cheered Manny Ramirez at his every at bat but were ecstatic when he launched the home run in the first inning. As a fan of baseball, I can only hope Manny can keep this up.

Doctor Connected to Manny Ramirez Steroids Under Investigation

Manny Ramirez being one of baseball's biggest stars has had almost constant coverage since being suspended for 50 games for violating Major League Baseball's substance abuse policy. He has so much attention and so much crowd pull that he has sold out the triple-A stadium in Albuquerque and ESPN has shown his at-bats live even though he currently is 0-3 with strikeout and a walk. Since Manny Ramirez was traded to the Dodgers the obsession with him has grown almost to the point of being one of the most recognizable names in the league. This was all well and good until early in the season he was suspended the fifty games for violating the drug policy.

Most people just accepted the penalty because Manny Ramirez himself did not fight the suspension. While there was heavy discussion about the penalty and whether or not Ramirez should even be allowed to play baseball until his suspension ends no one really gave much thought to where he got the illegal substance from. As reported by ESPN the DEA is investigating Miami Doctor Pedro Bosch and his son for their involvement with and possible supplying of steroids to Manny Ramirez. While the investigation has been announced most details have not yet been released.

NL West Predictions

I move from AL East predictions all the way to the NL West. Now this one is pretty easy for me so I'll add a catch I'm going to predict the exact number of wins and the number of games back by the second place team.

Well I have to first start off with the Dodgers who right now have the best record in baseball with an outstanding 40-21 record. With or without Manny Ramirez they seem to be dominating not only their division but all of baseball. With no small credit going to Juan Pierre, Manny's replacement. While Mannywood may not be as popular without it's star, his absence seems to have not hurt the Dodgers as much as most thought it would. Although I do think when he returns it will only do the Dodgers good.

As for the rest of the division, the Giants, Padres, Rockies, and Diamondbacks have not put up much of a fight in the wake of the Dodger dominance. Although I have to hand it to the San Francisco Giant's pitchers who have a collective ERA of 3.75 which is the second best in the National League. Although sadly pitching just isn't enough for them. While being 3 games over .500 they are still 8 games back of the leading Dodgers.

Now as for my actual predictions I have the Dodgers winning of course but with an outstanding 105 wins. I then have the Giants an amazing 20 games back but still competing for the Wild Card but not getting it.

More Manny

This just in (even though it was probably to be expected) the L.A. Dodgers have been contacted by Major League Baseball regarding Manny Ramirez and his comments to reporters the other days. According to the rules no suspended player is allowed to have contact with reporters while in the clubhouse or even be in the clubhouse at the same time as reporters. I'm not sure what ramifications this will have but I am sure that some will most likely say this isn't just another case of Manny being Manny.

Manny Ramirez

Now everyone probably knows by now that Manny Ramirez was suspended 50 games for using a banned substance. And most everyone also knows that this banned substance was actually a female fertility drug which led to some laughs but because this drug was used by steroid users to restimulate their own testosterone production after relying on on steroids to produce artificial hormones. Manny did not tell anyone in the organization about his use of the fertility drug which helped lead to his suspension.

But I'll tell you that the reason he didn't tell anyone was most likely cause he was embarrassed that he needed to take the female fertility drug in the first place. And that he had a legitimate need to use it not to get pregnant but to produce testosterone like a normal person but not from the use of steroids. I'm saying that maybe he really did need this drug but did not use steroids, but I could just be fooling myself but I know if I got suspended for a female fertility drug I would be so embarrassed that I just wouldn't want to talk about it and take the suspension without saying anything.

But that's just me.