AP - May 7, 12:27 pm EDT 1 of 13 MLB Gallery NEW YORK (AP)—Manny Ramirez(notes) was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball on Thursday, becoming the latest high-profile player ensnared in the sport’s drug scandals.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star said he did not take steroids and was given medication by a doctor that contained a banned substance. The commissioner’s office didn’t announce the specific violation by the 36-year-old outfielder, who apologized to the Dodgers and fans for “this whole situation.”

“Recently, I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me,” Ramirez said in a statement issued by the players’ union.

“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.”

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The suspension began Thursday and barring any postponements Ramriez will be able to return to the Dodgers—who now have the best record in baseball—for the July 3 game at San Diego. Ramirez will lose about $7.65 million of his $25 million salary.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig couldn’t comment on the suspension because of provisions of the management-union drug agreement, spokesman Rich Levin said.

While Barry Bonds(notes), Roger Clemens(notes), Alex Rodriguez(notes), Jose Canseco and a long list of stars have been implicated in the use of performance-enhancing drugs, Ramirez is the most prominent suspended under the drug policy players and owners put in place seven years ago.

In February, Rodriguez admitted taking steroids while playing for Texas from 2001-03 and acknowledged testing positive under a 2003 survey. But testing with penalties didn’t begin until 2004, and the New York Yankees third baseman doesn’t appear likely to be suspended.

The players’ association said Ramirez was suspended by the commissioner under the “just cause” provision of section 8.G.2 of the joint drug agreement. That allows players to be penalized for use, sale or distribution of banned substances, even where the agreement doesn’t specify a particular penalty, such as for a positive test.

In his statement, Ramirez addressed Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt, and manager Joe Torre.

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

His suspension was first reported by the Los Angeles Times on its Web site.

Ramirez became the third player suspended this year under the major league program, following Philadelphia reliever J.C. Romero(notes) and Yankees pitcher Sergio Mitre(notes).

Just two relatively low-profile players were suspended under the major league program last year, San Francisco catcher Elizier Alfonzo and Colorado catcher Humberto Coto.

In the past, the best-known player penalized was Baltimore’s Rafael Palmeiro, who received a 10-day suspension in 2005, the first year of penalties for first infractions.

Ramirez was acquired by Los Angeles from Boston last July 31 and became a fan favorite. His contract negotiations became a long-running drama during the offseason, and he agreed in early March—well after the start of spring training—to a $45 million, two-year contract that gives him the right to void the second season and become a free agent again.

Los Angeles even renamed a section of seats in left field at Dodger Stadium “Mannywood” in his honor.

In St. Louis, a clubhouse attendant stuck his head into manager Tony La Russa’s office and said “Manny Ramirez, 50 games, steroids.”

La Russa’s reaction: “You’re kidding me.”

He'll be branded now, whether this was an isolated incident or not. This will definitely affect his Hall of Fame chances.

I find it hard to believe that Manny did steroids. I picture him lighting up while listening to Bob Marley and wearing a "Friends of MaryJane" T-Shirt, but not using steroids.

now i know why the cubs lost to the dodgers last year in the NLDS. fucking cheater, but hey slammin sammy sosa is still fucking clean!

Apparently, he was administered a drug that kickstarts one's system back into testosterone production after one has been on a regimen of steroid use.

He's contemptuous of the rules and he should be kicked out of baseball.

Huh? And the corked bat was an honest mistake too?

ummm...well...its not as bad as talking HGH or any of that crap. (cork bat is a lesser level than that or anything else)

I don't believe that Sammy Sosa was clean. He's one of these guys, who had a sudden and dramatic growth spurt in the 1990s accompanied by a dramatic spike in his homeruns. He boldly proclaimed in 2002 that he'd be the first to be tested for steroids, knowing that was not possible due to the players' association refusal to allow the tests, and when Rick Reilly made arrangements for him to clear his name, he angrily refused.

There was no testing for HGH and steroids when he played, and his absence in the Mitchell report by no means exculpates him. It just means that he didn't procure steroids within the specific circles revealed by the Mitchell investigation, like Balco, Radomski, and Signature Pharmacy. Alex Rodriguez wasn't implicated in the Mitchell Report, and where did he obtain the steroids where he was able to escape detection? The Dominican Republic, which was where Sammy spent most of the off season.

Then you add Sosa's lack of credibility from the corked bat and the fib about not leaving the stadium before his last game as a Cub ended. I think it is very apparent that Sosa used performance enhancing drugs.

sosa probably did take something, but i will not be 100% sure until i see a positive by his name or him confessing it on espn or something. other wise he is going to have a easier time getting in the hall then bonds, mcqwire, or clemens.

I think you're right, BAM. The clouds over the other guys are darker. What's sad is that without steroids all these guys were good enough for the Hall of Fame. Time will tell if they make it.

To add to that, he also conveniently forgot how to speak English in front of Congress. I think Sosa is as dirty as the rest of these guys.

EDIT: Is Manny going to forget how to speak english during his 50 day vacation too?

Thanks, Blibble. That is exactly what I would have said. In 1998 during the HR battle, Sosa took every opportunity to speak to the media and sounded clear enough in English. Yet he feigns ignorance in front of Congress in 2005. On top of that, like Klydon mentioned, he had the corked bat.

I think he has every bit the stain of McGwire and Bonds. I hope Sosa never gets into the Hall of Fame, or if he does, it should be with a HUUUUUUGE asterisk.

Baseball has become a joke nowdays. Sorry to all the baseball fans on this BB but with all the problems baseball is having it's a joke.

that is understandable iceman, but hey the cubs are clean (knocks on wood) so i am happy bout that. i feel sorry for almost every other team though.

In a way I agree with you Iceman... but unfortunately I love baseball too much to walk away from it. So, in a sense I'm supporting cheating because people keep paying to see the sport. So frustrating.

When I first heard this news I was happy it happened to the Dodgers, but then I started to think it sucks because it's another blemish on the sport. Plus I enjoy seeing Manny Ramirez in the lineup because it's so much sweeter when he has no impact on the game. He's fun to root against.

Now I'm back to being happy it happened to the Dodgers because for years Dodger fans, as well as the media, said Giants fans were idiots for cheering Bonds all those years. But I've already seen on the news Dodger fans supporting him! I'm guessing he gets a good applause, if not a standing ovation, when he returns on July 3rd. The fans will be wearing Manny wigs and everything. If they boo him, then I will have a little respect for Dodger fans for the first time, but I don't think it will happen.

Baseball is now dead! Its a shame.

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