Top News:
Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' Manny Ramirez suspended 50 games after failing drug test — The suspension, for using what a source says is a female fertility drug, begins tonight and will cost him $7.7 million. Ramirez takes responsibility but says a doctor prescribed the drug.
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ESPN.com:
Manny Ramirez of Los Angeles Dodgers will serve 50-game suspension for drug violation — Major League Baseball announced Thursday that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez has been suspended for 50 games for violating its drug policy. — Ramirez — The commissioner's office …
Discussion:
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Yahoo! Sports:
Source: Ramirez's substance a sexual enhancer — Buzz up! — LOS ANGELES - A source close to Manny Ramirez — said Thursday that the illegal substance for which the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger tested positive was not “an agent customarily used for performance enhancing.”
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Manny suspended for use of PEDs — Ramirez biggest name to be punished by MLB's drug policy — LOS ANGELES — Major League Baseball suspended Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez for 50 games on Thursday for use of performance enhancing drugs. — Major League Baseball made an official announcement shortly after noon ET.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, Empyreal Environs, Red Reporter, Mostly Mets, Athletics Nation, The Yankee Universe and FanHouse
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
Manny reportedly used HCG, gets 50-game ban … Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance, incurring an immediate 50-game suspension and serving as the highest-profile reminder yet that the use of such drugs in the testing era may have been reduced, but not eradicated.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Manny is latest star to fall under drug cloud; banned 50 games — Major League Baseball, battling to woo fans in a recession, now must overcome the perception the sport remains polluted with players using illegal performance-enhancing drugs. — Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez became …
Andrew Baggarly / Extra Baggs:
Giants react to Manny Ramirez suspension — All the TVs in the visiting clubhouse were tuned to coverage of Manny Ramirez's 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. Other than that, it seemed like an ordinary morning. No agitated conversations, no high fives, no cheering.
MLB:
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez plays in what could be final rehab game — TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez played what could be his final rehab game Thursday, going 0-for-2 with two walks and putting in three innings of defense.
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 28: Rays at Yankees (updates with A-Rod news: He'll be back tomorrow) — YANKEES (13-14) — Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (2-1, 3.82). — Notes: I'm off today in advance of the road trip. Thanks to Ernie Palladino for calling in the lineup. ... The Yankees, who have lost four straight …
Tyler Bassett / KTAR.com:
Bob Melvin to be replaced as Diamondbacks manager — The Arizona Diamondbacks had high expectations for this season and have under-performed, leading to the team making a change at the managerial position. — Sports 620 KTAR's John Gambadoro reports Bob Melvin will be out as manager …
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David Waldstein / New York Times:
Phillies' Old Swagger Seen in Mets' New Park — Philadelphia Manager Charlie Manuel sat in the visitors' dugout at Citi Field for the first time late Wednesday afternoon, leaning forward to casually inspect the odd contours of the outfield fence. He noted many of the differences between …
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Frank Fitzpatrick / Philly.com:Former Phillies manager Danny Ozark dies
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Bullpen can't fend off Rays in extras — Yankees rally on Teixeira's clutch hit, but it's not enough — NEW YORK — The frustrating part of this loss for Yankees manager Joe Girardi was that his relievers had spent the better part of Wednesday evening vindicating his faith in them.
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Jerry Remy / redsox.trufan.com:
Feature Comments: — While Jerry is great in the booth he is even better outside the booth - Jerry is a great guy and everyone is pulling for a speedy recovery. Here is the announcement that was made on NESN. — Here are some additional links for anyone who wants to keep in touch with Jerry:
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Keona Gardner / TCPalm.com:
Mets player Angel Pagan arrested for traffic violations in Martin County — MARTIN COUNTY — New York Mets baseball player Angel Pagan has been arrested for traffic violations, according to Florida Highway Patrol arrest report. — On Thursday troopers stopped Pagan, 27 …
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
D-backs recall Whitesell from Triple-A — Clark placed on disabled list with strained ligament in hand — SAN DIEGO — The D-backs have a new starting first baseman. — The team recalled Josh Whitesell from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday and manager Bob Melvin said the 27-year-old will play every day in the foreseeable future.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Sizing up A-Rod's ‘historic’ contract — Clause in deal that'll pay slugger total of $30M for HR milestones now up for debate — As fireworks, book reviews and favorite cousins explode all around him, here's our latest question about Alex Rodriguez: — Is he still someone we can look at as a “historic” player?
