Wasted: Manny Ramirez Walks Away From Baseball After Second Drug-Related Offense

Former Cleveland and Boston slugger Manny Ramirez will retire. See LAT, "Manny Ramirez tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug":

Ramirez struggled with injuries but still hit .298 with nine homers and 42 runs batted in in 90 games for the Dodgers and White Sox last season. He's a career .312 hitter with 555 home runs in 18-plus seasons, including some of his best with the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox.

It was after signing with the Dodgers, though, that his reputation was sullied.

The erratic Ramirez performed well on the field and became a fan favorite, with “Mannywood” signs popping up around town, and wound up signing a $45-million, two-year contract to remain with the Dodgers. But in May 2009, he was suspended for testing positive for human chorionic gonadotropin, a banned female fertility drug that is often used to help mask steroid use.

“I'm shocked,” said Colorado's Jason Giambi, who has acknowledged taking steroids during his own career. “He always kind of portrayed that he was out there, but he knew how to hit, man. He was unbelievable when it came to hitting.”

Texas Rangers Manager Ron Washington was more somber in his assessment of Ramirez's career.

“Until the past couple of years, I thought he was on his way to the Hall of Fame,” Washington said. “I don't think many guys got as many big hits in their careers as he has. There weren't many guys who had as big an effect on a game as he had. You hate to see greatness all of a sudden just fade.”

It's just a waste, plain and simple. I always enjoyed watching Ramirez play, especially when he was with Boston. Drugs are a waste.