Manny Ramirez's Suspension and How it Affects the Los Angeles Dodgers

For those who haven't heard, Manny Ramirez was suspended 50 games for violating MLB's Performance Enhancing Drug Policy. It was reported that Ramirez took human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which is a women's fertility drug that is used by steroid users to restart the body's natural testosterone production after they come off a steroid cycle. Ramirez made a statement later in the day saying that he had seen a physician for a personal health issue and the physician gave him a medication that was banned under the drug policy. Ramirez also apologized to the Dodger organization and to all the Dodger fans and ended it by saying that he has taken and passed 15 drug tests over the past five seasons. Ramirez's careless actions will cost him almost $8 million of his $45 million, 2 year contract. Ramirez is scheduled to return on July 3rd.

Ramirez had been the Dodgers best player last season, after he joined them for the last two months, and the beginning of this season. His batting average this year had been .348, with 6 homeruns and 20 RBI's in only 29 games. Manny also led the Dodgers to a major-league best 21-8 start and a record 13-0 start at home. The Dodgers also had a 6.5 game lead over the San Francisco Giants at that time.

Since Ramirez's suspension, the Dodgers have lost two of their last three games. Both losses were their first two losses at home and by a total of only four runs. It is anybody's guess what would of happened if Ramirez would of been in these games.

Los Angeles Dodgers left-fielder Juan Pierre will take over for Manny Ramirez until he comes back in 2 months. Pierre had not seen a lot of playing time this year, usually being a pinch-hitter late in games. Pierre has a .378 batting average in limited time this season but has no homeruns this season, and has only hit one homerun in the last three seasons. Pierre is more known for his speed, as he has the second most stolen bases out of any active baseball player. Pierre is currently batting leadoff for the Dodgers and Matt Kemp has taken over Ramirez's cleanup spot in the batting order for the time being.

Joe Torre, manager of the Dodgers, has said that he and the Dodgers organization will continue to support Ramirez and wait for his return. All Dodgers fans have been in disbelief and fan reactions have been mixed. There are those fans who will continue to show their support for Manny as they know the Dodgers are a much better team with him, and there are other fans that call Ramirez a cheater.