Manny Ramirez Tests Positive for Performance Enhancers

Manny Ramirez has been suspended for 50 games after he tested positive for performance enhancers. The suspension will be officially announced later today, according to the Los Angeles Times, which broke the story this morning.

According to the article, Jose Canseco said he was 90 percent sure Ramirez is on the list of 103 players who used performance enhancers during the 2003 season.

The Dodgers still have the makings of a good team with the emergence of Andre Ethier, who is among the top RBI producers in the NL this season. However, the impact of Ramirez cannot be replaced with someone like Juan Pierre as his backup.

Minor leaguer Xavier Paul will be called up to fill the void on the Dodgers' roster.

This development shows that the steroid problem may still not be under control at the Major League level.

It also opens the question of whether or not other players are still using today. Now we will are left to wonder how many of Ramirez's home runs were aided by performance enhancers.

When Ramirez returns in July, it will be interesting to see if he gets the reception that Rafael Palmeiro received after returning from his suspension.

It will be equally interesting to see what kind of twist commissioner Bud Selig will put on the situation, if he makes a statement.

He supposedly had the steroids problem under control.