Manny Ramirez, Barry Bonds and the MLB All-Steroid Team
Manny Ramirez is no longer a member of the Tampa Bay Rays. He decided to retire rather than face a suspension of 100 games for his second positive drug test. His second positive test will most likely also keep him out of the Hall of Fame along with the other players who have either used or allegedly used performance enhancing drugs during their career.
That doesn't mean his career should go uncelebrated.
Perhaps baseball should open a separate exhibit in a trailer in the parking lot of the Hall of Fame. In this trailer fans can pay tribute to all of the greatest juicers and alleged juicers to play the game.
Aside from the exhibit there is also the discussion of the greatest steroid users of all-time.
I now present to you my Major League Baseball All-Steroid Team made up of the best admitted users, players caught by drug tests, and others implicated with ties to the best creams and clears a professional athlete's salary can buy.
Roger Clemens, Starting Pitcher
1 of 11
Roger Clemens beats Andy Pettitte as the Ace for the All-Steroids team. The two-time World Series champion will bring his presence and fastball to the mound. The team will also be able to use him on short-rest due to his uncanny ability to recover between starts.
Stats: 11-time All-Star, 3.12 ERA, 4,672 strikeouts.
Tie to Steroids: Roger Clemens name was included in the Mitchell Report. His trial is scheduled to start this summer on six felony counts including false statements, perjury and obstruction of Congress.
John Rocker, Closer
2 of 11
John Rocker was never a great pitcher, but his ability to make headlines and his admission to using steroids earns him a spot on the team.
Stats: 3.42 ERA, 332 strikeouts, 88 saves
Tie to Steroids: Rocker admitted to using human growth hormone (HGH).
Ivan Rodriguez, Catcher
3 of 11
Ivan Rodriguez will be behind the plate for Clemens. His powerful cannon arm will make base runners second guess any thoughts of stealing bases. The seven-time Silver Slugger will also do some damage behind the plate.
Stats: 14-time All-Star, .297 AVG, 309 home runs, 2,820 hits, 1,317 RBI
Tie to Steroids: Jose Canseco said that he taught and personally injected Rodriguez, Rafael Palmeiro and Juan Gonzalez while the three were members of the Texas Rangers.
Mark McGwire, First Base
4 of 11
Mark McGwire and his power right-handed bat will be at first base. McGwire also brings a Gold Glove to the position. If he weren't so big would his nickname have been Quarter Pounder instead of Big Mac?
Stats: 14-time All-Star, .263 AVG, 583 home runs, 1,626 hits, 1,414 RBI
Tie to Steroids: During a FBI investigation they came across a steroids dealer named Curtis Wenzlaff. Wenzlaff's notes stated he gave McGwire steroids. Jose Canseco also claims to have personally injected McGwire.
Brian Roberts, Second Base
5 of 11
Second base isn't flooded with options so Brian Roberts gets the nod. He brings a consistent bat and speed on the bases to the team.
Stats: Two-time All-Star, .283 AVG, 81 home runs, 1,345 hits, 466 RBI, 269 stolen bases
Tie to Steroids: In 2006 the Los Angeles Times reported that Roberts name was also one of the redacted names from the Jason Grimsley affidavit. In 2007, Roberts admitted that he used steroids "once" in 2003.
Jason Giambi, Third Base
6 of 11
Although Jason Giambi doesn't normally play third base, he can make the adjustment in order to be a part of this infamous team. Keeping with the theme, Giambi brings another power bat to the lineup.
Stats: Five-time All-Star, .282 AVG, 416 home runs, 1,917 hits, 1,369 RBI
Tie to Steroids: Giambi was named as one of the players the FBI said received Steroids from trainer Greg Anderson and the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO). In 2007, Giambi admitted and apologized for using steroids.
Alex Rodriguez, Shortstop
7 of 11
Alex Rodriguez gets to return to his original position and play short stop for the All-Steroids Team. Rodriguez was among the elite short stops prior to joining Derek Jeter and moving to third base for the Yankees. Whether you prefer to call him "A-Rod" or "A-Fraud" he is a lock to make this team.
Stats: 13-time All-Star, .303 AVG, 615 home runs, 2,681 hits, 1,831 RBI
Tie to Steroids: Rodriguez's name was also included in the BALCO invesitgation. In 2007, Rodriguez admitted to using banned substances from 2001 to 2003. His name also appeared in Canseco's book.
Barry Bonds, Outfield
8 of 11
Barry Bonds had a Hall of Fame résumé prior to the visual changes to his body as he aged. It would actually appear that his ticket to Cooperstown was revoked on his chase to 73 home runs in a season. His Hall of Fame loss is the All-Steroids Team's gain as it allows the greatest home run hitter in baseball history to make the roster.
Stats: 14-time All-Star, .298AVG, 762 home runs, 2,935 hits, 1,996 RBI, 514 Stolen Bases
Tie to Steroids: Bonds was center stage in the Greg Anderson and BALCO investigation. He testified that he though the clear substance and cream he was using were flaxseed oil and a balm for arthritis.
Sammy Sosa, Outfield
9 of 11
Sammy Sosa brings his large smile and occasionally corked bat to the roster. Sosa is the all-time home run leader of foreign born players. He won't be eligible for Hall of Fame voting until 2013 where it is expected that he won't be selected.
Stats: Seven-time All-Star, .273 AVG, 609 home runs, 2,408 hits, 1,667 RBI
Tie to Steroids: According to the New York Times, Sammy Sosa is one of the 104 baseball players that tested positive for banned substances in 2003. Sosa denies ever using illegal performance enhancing drugs.
Jose Canseco, Outfield
10 of 11
The bash brothers are reunited on the All-Steroids Team. Canseco brings a mix of power and speed. He was the first player in Major League Baseball to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases.
Stats: Six-time All-Star, .266 AVG, 462 home runs, 1,877 hits, 1,407 RBI, 200 Stolen Bases
Tie to Steroids: Canseco is almost synonymous with steroids. He admitted to using steroids in 2005 and wrote a book titled "Juiced" where he claimed that 85 percent of major league players used steroids. Players that Canseco called out as using steroids initially deny the allegations but are starting to one by one either admit use or become further implicated through other sources.
Manny Ramirez, Designated Hitter
11 of 11
Manny Ramirez may no longer be a member of the Tampa Bay Rays but he is still a member of the All-Steroids team. He is just one of five players with 550 home runs and a .300 batting average. He also has the most post season home runs with 29.
Stats: 12-time All-Star, .312 AVG, 555 home runs, 2,574 hits, 1,831 RBI
Tie to Steroids: Manny was suspended 50 games in 2009 after testing positive for a woman's fertility drug human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a drug typically used as steroid users are coming off a cycle. In 2011, Ramirez retired from baseball as he faced a suspension for 100 games following an issue with the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program. The issue was most likely another positive test.
