Photo: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers Matt Kemp hit a home run against the Chicago Cubs yesterday. The homer at Wrigley Field broke the Dodgers’ four game homeless streak. Still, the Dodgers got beat by the Cubs 2-1.
It’s really no surprise that the Los Angeles Dodgers got beat 11-to-9 by the Washington Nationals last night at Dodger Stadium. The loss ended a record setting streak of 13 home wins to start the season. It came hours after a 50 game suspension of the team’s superstar player, Manny Ramirez, became headline news. So you can understand the boys in blue being a little shaken up and off their stride.
Late yesterday at a news conference, Dodgers Manager Joe Torre and team General Manager Ned Colletti reacted to the Manny development. Colletti admitted he was “sick and saddened” by the news that the left fielder had failed a Major League Baseball drug test. Torres said he felt ”disappointment” and described the situation as being like when someone punches ”… a hole in a balloon. ”
Ramirez issued an apology, in a prepared statement yesterday, but did not specifically address what the medication was that caused him to flunk the drug test. The Los Angeles Times, which broke the story yesterday morning on its website, and others in the media are reporting that in spring training Ramirez tested positive for a female fertility drug frequently found in athletes who are steroid users.
So the Manny score is now one game down and 49 to go.
A short while ago, the Dodgers released this statement about the 50 game suspension of star player Manny Ramirez for testing positive for a banned substance in a Major League Baseball drug test.
STATEMENT FROM THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS
LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles Dodgers CEO Jamie McCourt issued the following statement in reaction to today’s statements from Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, and Manny Ramirez.
“We share the disappointment felt by our fans, our players, and every member of our organization. We support the policies of Major League Baseball, and we will welcome Manny back upon his return.”
This statement will constitute the comment of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization until Joe Torre meets with the media at approximately 4:30 p.m. today at Dodger Stadium.
Photo: Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers — Slugger Manny Ramirez hits his fifth home run of the season and 532 of his career on April 30, 2009 at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 8-to-5 in that game.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were on a roll with the best record in Major League Baseball when they hit a major hurdle. Ironically, that hurdle was thrown up in front of the team by its star player and power hitter, Manny Ramirez. This morning there are reports all over the media and on the Internet that Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and is suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball. This means Ramirez will not be eligible to suit up with his team until July 3.
The suspension begins tonight against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. Talk about bad timing. Last night, the Dodgers beat the Nationals 10-to-3, setting a league record for kicking off the season with 13 consecutive home wins. Also, the Dodgers have the best record in the league at 21-8. Clearly, the loss of Ramirez is going to take some serious adjustment for the boys in blue.
Off the field, this a huge blow to the team’s efforts to promote Ramirez with billboards, T-shirts, and even a section of seats at Dodger Stadium called Mannywood. And what about the fans? Thousands of them have been packing the seats at Dodger Stadium this season and Ramirez is part of the reason for that.
A Los Angeles Times report has reaction from Ramirez. In a prepared statement, the left fielder blamed the positive drug test on medication from a personal physician: “He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was okay to give me. Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing; I’ve taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons.”
Also, Ramirez expressed regret for the mistake:”I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans. LA is a special place to me and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I’m sorry about this whole situation.”
Ramirez is the most high-profile player to be caught by the Major League Baseball’s drug testing program, which began in 2003. Since players are not paid while on suspension, this is going to cost the left fielder big time; an estimated $7.7 million of his $25 million salary this year.
Photos: Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers power hitter Manny Ramirez slugged a home run in the third inning at Dodger Stadium last night. That’s the fifth homer for Ramirez this season; and number 532 in his career. Ramirez’ homer followed one by teammate, Orlando Hudson.
Manny celebrated his homer with his fellow Dodgers in the dugout last night. The guys in blue beat the San Diego Padres 8-to-5.
Photo: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers rolled right over the Colorado Rockies yesterday in a 14-to-2 victory to extend their winning streak to eight straight games. In front of a spectator crowd of around 41,000 at Dodger Stadium, Matt Kemp hit a grand slam in the fifth inning scoring four runs. The center fielder was congratulated by teammates as shown in the photo. That was the first of two homers for Kemp in that game. The homeboys in blue are now in first place in the National League West.
Photo: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers
How sweet it is! Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Orlando Hudson celebrates after hitting a triple for a cycle, which launched him right into the record books yesterday. A cycle is a single, double, triple, and a home run in the same game. Hudson did it against the San Francisco Giants during the first home game of the 2009 season at Dodger Stadium.
A crowd of more than 50,000 was on hand to see Hudson’s fantastic hitting spree. The last Dodgers player to hit for the cycle was Wes Parker back on May 7, 1970 — 39 years ago! Also, it was the first time ever a Dodgers player had accomplished the feat at Dodger Stadium.
By the way, the Dodgers slammed the Giants 11-to-1.
Photo: Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times
Angels fans have joined the mourning for the team’s talented young pitcher, Nick Adenhart, who was killed along with two friends in a tragic multi-vehicle crash yesterday morning. The car Adenhart was riding in was broadsided by a van. The driver of the van, Andrew Thomas Gallo, ran from the scene in Fullerton, but was later arrested. Gallo is suspected of driving under the influence. He has a drunk driving conviction and was reportedly driving with a suspended license.
The other two victims killed were 20-year-old Cal State Fullerton student Courtney Stewart and 25-year-old Henry Pearson. A fourth victim, 24-year-old Jon Wilhite, is in critical condition at UC Irvine Medical Center.
22-year-old Adenhart’s career was on the rise. In last Wednesday’s game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim against the Oakland “A’s,” the right-hander started and pitched six scoreless innings. Last night’s Angels’ game against Oakland was postponed out of respect for Adenhart. Tonight, Adenhart’s teammates will play the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium.
More about Adenhart’s career and his impact on the Angels website. Also, a very touching story about Adenhart and his dad by Bill Shaikin on the Los Angeles Times website.
Photo courtesy Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers
A billboard creates an interesting effect as Los Angeles Dodgers Andre Ethier makes the catch at Dodger Stadium last Thursday, April 2. Also, the right fielder hit a run-scoring triple and homered in the eighth inning to help the Dodgers dust the Angels 6-to-2 in that exhibition game.
Photo courtesy: Juan Ocampo
Los Angeles Dodgers Rafael Furcal takes to the air in a double play during the fourth inning of a game against the Oakland Athletics in the spring training ball park at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona yesterday. Still, the A’s beat the Dodgers 9-to-5.
Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers heavy hitter Manny Ramirez is back in the swing of the game. Yesterday, Manny cracked one over the left-field bullpen at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona — his first home run in spring training this season. It happened in the first inning with two out during a game against the Mariners. Nevertheless, Seattle beat the Dodgers 8-to-6.
Still, Manny’s performance last night gave the Dodgers something to cheer about. After being out for a week or so with a leg injury, Manny returned to play on Monday and had a less than spectacular day at the plate. The left-fielder struck out twice against the Los Angeles Angels, who pounded the Dodgers 10-to-4. Now to the relief of the team and Dodgers fans, the 36-year-old slugger appears to have his batting groove back.
Photo courtesy: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers
Even a power hitter like Dodger Manny Ramirez needs to practice the bunt as he did yesterday at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona.
Photo courtesy: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers
Newly signed Dodger slugger Manny Ramirez is back in the swing of being a star player for the team. Last Saturday before a game against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, Ramirez signed autographs for a group of eager fans. Ramirez is expected to help fill the seats in Dodger stadium as well as perform on the field.
Last week, after months of haggling and drama, Ramirez signed a new two-year $45 million deal. Under the contract, Ramirez reportedly will be paid $25 million this year and $20 million in 2010 with a chance to option out after the first year.
Ramirez really connected with the fans and the team last year. Now that the new deal is signed and done, the focus is on what kind of season Ramirez and the Dodgers will have in 2009. A lot of folks are hoping the guys in blue will go all the way to the World Series.
