The Most Surprising Aspect of the Manny Ramirez Drama? He Cared Enough to Cheat

Manny Ramirez has never been known for his hard work or respect for baseball.

Manny is a great player, but it seemed he just played baseball because he was good at it, instead of a love for the game.

Playing was not enough to keep Manny interested. He had to high-five fans after making a catch. He trotted around the diamond admiring his home run, only to realize he was actually admiring a ball that would hit off the fence.

During games at Fenway Park, he would disappear into the Green Monster during pitching changes. One time, Red Sox pitcher Wade Miller had to wait for Ramirez to return to resume the game.

So why would a guy who could not care less about the game use steroids? (And let's face it: The guy used. I am tired of hearing the same excuse.)

For those still not convinced, consider this: Ramirez has already decided not to appeal his suspension and forfeit over seven million dollars in salary.

Manny Ramirez is a client of Scott Boras. Add him to the list of Boras' clients caught or suspected of using. That list includes Alex Rodriguez, Eric Gagne, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, Rick Ankiel, and Magglio Ordonez.

Anybody see a resemblance between Rodriguez and Ramirez's excuses? Boras seems to have pre-written excuses for his stars to use. Manny pointed out himself that he had been told not to elaborate.

Also, as Manny himself pointed out, he has been testing negative for years.

So why now?

Anybody remember this offseason when Scott Boras paraded Manny Ramirez around asking for record amounts of money? Remember what happened next?

Nobody wanted him.

Manny Ramirez may not care about baseball, but he does care about himself. Hence why after all but one Major League team had no interest in him, he would start using steroids.

Something key to note here is that Manny can opt out of the second year of his contract. If you try to think like Manny Ramirez, he sees a huge payday for himself if he has a monster year.

He figures he opts out of the contract and makes big money elsewhere.

Only one small problem Manny: You got caught.

So what happens next? More excuses, more press conferences, and a tainted Hall of Fame career. Welcome to the land of asterisks.