Manny Ramirez Retires After Testing Positive
By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDTManny Ramirez retired from baseball Friday instead of facing a 100-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, according to two people briefed on the matter.
Ramirez tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug during spring training and was recently informed of the positive result, according to the people.
In a news release, the commissioner’s office said it had recently notified Ramirez “of an issue under Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.”
The statement added, “Rather than continue with the process under the
Program, Ramirez has informed M.L.B. that he is retiring as an active
player.”
The commissioner’s office said that if Ramirez wanted to return to baseball, he would have to face discipline for his positive test.
The positive test in spring training was the third time Ramirez tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
In 2009, he was suspended after his urine sample from spring training had elevated levels of testosterone. The New York Times reported later in 2009 that Ramirez was among the roughly 100 players who tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2003, when testing was conducted on an anonymous survey basis.
Manny Ramirez Retires From Major League Baseball
Manny Ramirez has retired from Major League Baseball.
MLB made the announcement on Friday afternoon.
Ramirez, 38, got off to a slow start for Tampa Bay this season, going 1-for-17 in five games.
Ramirez, who's made more than $200 million in his career, signed a one-year, $2 million deal with Tampa Bay this offseason.
