Manny Ramirez: Domestic Abuse Charge Shows How Far Former Slugger Has Fallen

According to an Associated Press report, former Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Manny Ramirez has been cited for domestic abuse and is currently being held at a $2,500 bail at a Broward County, Florida jail.

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"Police say the 39-year-old Ramirez was arguing with his wife, Juliana, when he slapped her face, causing her to hit her head on the headboard of their bed. She told the deputy she was afraid the situation would escalate."

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While Ramirez denied striking his wife, this incident certainly doesn't look good for the 12-time All-Star and two-time World Series Champion. This is just the latest in a series of events that has caused Ramirez to go from one of baseball's most beloved goofballs to one of the sport's more hated figures.

His fall from grace started in 2008 when he began dogging it as a member of the Red Sox. Ramirez seemed to stop giving his full effort by failing to run out groundballs. He also pulled himself out of the lineup several times despite having no discernible injuries. This prompted a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers where he resurrected his career.

It wasn't long before he wore out his welcome there as well, however. Early in the 2009 season, Ramirez was suspended for 50 games for violating the MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Ramirez took hCG, a female fertility drug often taken by steroid users after a steroid regimen.

Ramirez wasn't the same after the suspension and scuffled in two seasons as with the Dodgers and White Sox. He signed with the Rays prior to the 2011 season, with plans of being the team's designated hitter. Ramirez decided to retire just five games into the season, though, rather than face a 100-game ban for a second positive test for a banned substance.

The happy-go-lucky Ramirez was once universally loved by all baseball fans (with the exception of Yankee fans) due to his quirky personality and incredible prowess at the plate. When Ramirez would do something strange on the field, many would defend by using the phrase, "that's just Manny being Manny."

Somewhere along the line, "Manny being Manny" went from hitting home runs, going to the bathroom in the Green Monster and cutting off Johnny Damon throws in the outfield to using performance-enhancing drugs and allegedly hitting his wife.

As a Yankee fan, I've never been a supporter of Ramirez, but even I hope that he can straighten his life out. There is no question that the old Ramirez was better for baseball than the new one. Hopefully one day, "Manny being Manny" can be looked at in a positive light once again.