The Lantern Blog

Manny Ramirez is currently fourth in MLB All-Star voting, and his position in the voting standings among National League outfielders has Manny’s manager, Joe Torre, commenting on the situation.

Credit: ZDNet Blogs

Torre says that if Manny Ramirez is voted into the All-Star Game, he should skip the game.

And it makes sense.  After all, Man-Ram was suspended earlier on in the season for illegal use of performance enhancing drugs.

Torre made it a point to mention that the All-Star Game should be a showcase of the best first half talent, and not a popularity contest.  However, Major League Baseball has set a double-standard for itself.  While the league wants to get the best players they possibly can into the game, they leave it a majority of the decision to the fans, who get a chance to vote their favorites into the game.

Do you think MLB should modify the way they do the All-Star voting?

Manny Ramirez, the star left fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was handed a 50 game suspension for use of performance enhancing drugs.  Manny’s suspension has had a profound impact all around Major League Baseball, as well as the Dodgers organization and its fans.

Credit: ZDNet Blogs

Manny is one of the biggest stars to be tied to performance enhancing drugs.  Alex Rodriguez, the New York Yankees’ third baseman, also has been accused of using PEDs.  The latest book on Alex Rodriguez, written by Selena Roberts, discusses the possibility that A-Rod may have used PEDs during high school play.

Losing Ramirez is a big hit for the Dodgers’ organization.  Manny has been one of the team’s biggest marketing tools, with some fans and members of the organization referring to LA as “Manny-wood.”  It is going to be interesting to see how Manny’s suspension for PED usage will affect the way the Dodgers go about marketing their team.

How do you think Manny’s suspension will affect baseball in the bigger picture?