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MLB

Manny Being Suspended Manny: 'I Didn't Kill Nobody, I Didn't Rape Nobody'

Posted Jun 10, 2009 2:20AM By Tom Herrera (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Dodgers, MLB PEDs

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Manny RamirezManny Ramirez is many things, but being good with words is not one of them.

On Tuesday night, Manny made a surprise visit to his Dodgers teammates before their game against the Padres, stopping by the home clubhouse for the first time since his 50-game ban was handed down.

That seems innocent enough; Manny's just lending his support. But when he finally opened his mouth to speak to reporters about the suspension, that's when things took a turn for the awkward.

"I don't want to be a distraction for this team," Ramirez said. "What happened, happened. I spoke to (owner) Frank McCourt, I apologized, I spoke to Joe, my teammates and I'm ready to move on."

Ramirez, who also had a talk with Joe Torre, said he's not going to address the media about what led to the suspension. Why? Well, it's in the past, silly!

Right, as if fans are going to suddenly forget the biggest story of the MLB season.

"I didn't kill nobody, I didn't rape nobody, so that's it, I'm just going to come and play the game," Ramirez added, in typical Manny Being Manny fashion.

A-Rod didn't kill or rape anyone either. That didn't mean he was excluded from answering question after bombarding question about his performance-enhancing drug use in the past. Soon enough, Manny is going to learn that he won't be able to dodge pestering with facetious one-liners.

Latest Manny Ramirez Images

    FILE - In this May 25, 2009, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers' Juan Pierre follows the flight of his single against the Colorado Rockies during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Denver. Halfway through the enforced absence of their biggest star, the Los Angeles Dodgers are doing just fine. So is Juan Pierre, who will never match the slugging numbers of Manny Ramirez but is having the season of his career. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

    AP

    FILE - In this May 25, 2009, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers' Juan Pierre, right, is congratulated after scoring by teammate Orlando Hudson against the Colorado Rockies in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Denver. Halfway through the enforced absence of their biggest star, the Los Angeles Dodgers are doing just fine. So is Juan Pierre, who will never match the slugging numbers of Manny Ramirez but is having the season of his career. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

    AP

    FILE - In this April 18, 2009 file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez looks towards the visitor's dugout as he heads for first on his third-inning home run against the Colorado Rockies in a aseball game in Los Angeles. Ramirez is running fourth in fan balloting for the National League All-Star team, perhaps proof that fans aren't terribly troubled by his 50-game suspension. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)

    AP

    FILE - In this April 24, 2009 file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez warms up before facing the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game in Denver. Ramirez and Wimbledon semifinalist Richard Gasquet. The runner-up in the 2006 Tour de France. A Polish soccer player. Those are the big-time athletes busted for doping _ in the last week. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

    AP

    Fans in left field hold up a sign asking about suspended Los Angeles Dodgers player Manny Ramirez, during the Dodgers' baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, May 13, 2009, in Philadelphia. The Dodgers won 9-2. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

    AP

    LOS ANGELES - MAY 7: Fans hold a smuggled in banner supporting suspended Dodger Manny Ramirez during the seventh inning stretch of the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers the Washington Nationals on May 7, 2009 at Dodger Stadiium in Los Angeles, California. All banners are prohibited in Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

    Getty Images

    LOS ANGELES - MAY 7: A fan wearing a Manny Ramirez tee shirt for takes a picture during pregame before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals on May 7, 2009 at Dodger Stadiium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

    Getty Images

    LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 07: A fan in the upper deck waves a Manny Ramirez jersey during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals on May 7, 2009 at Dodger Stadiium in Los Angeles, California. Ramirez was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball earlier in the day. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

    Getty Images

    (FILES: This April 9, 2009 file photo shows Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers preparing to bat against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, California. Dodgers star Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and has been slapped with a 50-game suspension, Major League Baseball announced on May 7, 2009. Files/ Donald Miralle/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY == (Photo credit should read DONALD MIRALLE/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    (FILES: This April 9, 2009 file photo shows Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers at bat against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, California. Dodgers star Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and has been slapped with a 50-game suspension, Major League Baseball announced on May 7, 2009. Files/ Donald Miralle/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY == (Photo credit should read DONALD MIRALLE/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images


For the most part, Manny has kept a low profile since his suspension was announced. He's been working out at Dodger Stadium recently in the morning, away from the flashing camera bulbs and microphone clusters.

"I still think he's uneasy being around until he starts playing the game, that's what he wants to do, that's what makes him the most comfortable, and I think anything other than that is going to make him a little antsy," Torre said.

Unfortunately, it'll be a long time before we see Manny's wondrous bat on display again. In the meantime, the Dodgers are 19-12 since he was suspended. They won their major-league best 40th game Tuesday backed by ace Chad Billingsley, very solid bullpen work and the awakening power of Andre Ethier, who clubbed two homers for the second time in three games.

So while Manny will be eligible to return July 3, the team has improved the winning formula without one true superstar leading the way. That's a true testament to Torre's coaching ability despite a potential dreadlocked distraction.

Only time will tell if they'll be able to keep their focus when he returns.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Tags: joe+torre, manny+ramirez

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