Manny being Manny Suspended… what did you think?

When I first heard the news that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games for a drug violation, I immediately thought… steroids… and I then I felt disappointment.

I thought about steroids first, because at this point nothing surprises me. You could tell me Vin Scully has been on performance enhancing drugs, and I wouldn’t be surprised. I think steroids were like Flintstones vitamins for major leaguers. It’s just one of those things that players needed to do… to stay competitive with all the other kids on the playground. Don’t get me wrong… I think they are bad for the game and are illegal for a reason… I am just saying that I can’t fault players for taking them nor can I be surprised by who used them. Whether someone used them or not, is a personal morel/ethics issue, not a baseball competition issue. Steroids are just going to become one of those things that define a certain era in baseball, like Dead-Ball, Lively-Ball, Integration, etc. So why should I be surprised, if A-Rod, Bonds, and McGuire can be linked to steroids, so can Manny.

I then felt disappointment because, I like Manny. I wrote an article last year, praising him, after he reached up and gave that fan a “high-five”, after catching a fly ball. I took a little crap for it; with all his selfish antics and quitting on the team stuff… how could I root for a guy like that. I like Manny… that’s how. He is one of those “Stop and Watch” guys. If you’re walking by a TV and see him up to bat… you watch. His batting knowledge is tremendous… his presence at the plate is menacing… his ability to change the game is substantial. I let my respect for his ability and talent, overlook his antics, as long as it doesn’t impact his ability to be a good teammate. Some will argue though, that how he left Boston was because of his actions, impacting his ability to be a good teammate. I am fine with that. That is why he is in Los Angeles now. At least he didn’t bad mouth everyone he knows after he left the team, like others (Gary Sheffield). I like Manny and feel bad that now he probably won't get voted in to the Hall of Fame.

So the story just broke today and I am sure that more of the details will come out and ESPN will be talking about it for weeks. Will he serve the full 50 games? Why is he waiving his right to challenge the suspension? Is it steroids… is it HGH… is it a female fertility drug? At this point… who cares… does it really matter? If one of your favorite players gets caught… do you really care?

After I got over the disappointment of the whole thing, one thing became abundantly clear. The scary thing is… the more people that get linked to performance enhancers… the smarter Jose Canseco looks. That is scary.

National League- Standings & Predictions: May 2009

With a month of the season in the books, let’s take a look at the standings and point out some of the surprises and predictions in the National League.

NL East: The division of “have’s and have not’s.”
Mets have a new stadium and pitching… Florida has no stadium or pitching. Atlanta has no fans… Phillies have fans with no class… and the Nationals don’t even have a major league roster. I see that the Marlins are currently in first place, but that won’t last. After starting the season 11-1 (beating bad teams), they are 3-10 since. The Mets and Phillies are going to end up at the top, with one winning the division and one winning the wildcard.


NL Central: My favorite division in Baseball.
The Pirates are my favorite NL team (ever since “We are Family” in the 70’s), but their MLB leading ERA won’t last and they can’t hit. There was a lot of talk about the Reds making a move this year, but the division is too tough and the Big Red Machine will end up looking more like a Toro lawn mower. I love the stadiums in Houston and Milwaukee (they are on my list of ballparks to visit), however having a bam box won’t be enough. This division is filled with so much history and tradition. History says that the Cubs will make a run and will fall just short. Tradition says that the Cards will be representing in the end.


NL West: The division where Manny is king.
This is the worst division in the National League. I think the Giants, Padres, and Rockies will all end up sub-500. The Diamondbacks have the pitching (once Webb comes back) to compete in a weak division. When push comes to shove, this is the Dodgers division. When they finally signed Manny, they locked up the division. October won’t be able to get here soon enough for Joe Torre; injuries are the only thing that can stop them.

Division Winners: Mets, Cardinals, and Dodgers
Wildcard: Phillies
Pennant Winner: Cardinals

American League- Standings & Predictions: May 2009

With a month of the season in the books, let’s take a look at the standings and point out some of the surprises and predictions in the American League.

AL East- The power division in the AL.

Toronto is at the top for now and is looking like the best team in baseball right now, but eventually Marco Scutaro and Scott Richmond will come back to earth and so will the Jays. Once Big Papi gets over the swine flu (the only reason I can think of why he stinks right now), look for Boston to take over the top spot. And the wildcard team from this division will be at risk as the Yankees keep waffling around third place. I like the Rays as a team however don’t see them making a charge.


AL Central- The worst division, yet hardest to predict.

At the beginning of the season I had this division in exactly the reverse order. I thought the Indians would win and the Royals would finish in the basement. I can admit when I am wrong. It just goes to show you what good pitching can do for a team. Now, I don’t think the Royals will finish in first and I don’t think the Indians can make the climb to the top. So that means this year’s division winner will be the Twins, White Sox, or Tigers. My choice… the Tigers.


AL West- The Angels division and everyone else.

Everyone had the Angels winning this division and I think that will still happen. Like I said before, it is all about the pitching. Seattle has it right now and that is why they are in the lead, but for how long will King Felix, Washburn and Bedard keep it going. My guess is they will fall out of first place before the All-Star break, yet the pitching will be good enough to take Griffey Jr. to the post season.


AL Division Winners: Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels
Wildcard: Seattle Mariners
Pennant Winner: Boston Red Sox