So, Manny Ramirez tests positive.  When I first heard this news my stomach sank basically to the floor.  Not because I love Manny or the Dodgers, but because steroids have single handedly cast a pall over baseball, the game I DO love, for probably the rest of forever.  It’s sad.  It’s heartbreaking.  It’s extremely annoying.  So, when yet another player has a positive test, and a marquee player at that, those of us who do cherish the game feel like crying.  But wait, there’s more…

The LA Times broke this story and in that break they alluded that Manny was busted for roids.  Not so fast, my fellow Chop Heads.  Apparently, Manny went to the doctor, his own personal doctor.  Said doctor gave him meds that he was told did not violate MLB’s drug policy.  Manny took them and voila positive drug test.  NOT positive steroids test.  Granted, a positive is a positive and if Manny’s (and Scott Boras’ version) is true, that just makes the doctor and Manny a little more on the stupid side.  If your employer tells you that if you take such and such drugs and you test positive you will be suspended it is in YOUR best interest to know what those drugs are…every freaking single one of them.  Take a list to the doctor if you are inclined to fits of stupidity.  You can’t claim stupidity after the fact.

My biggest gripe with this story is the LA Times and how they published it with every intention of selling papers (I get that) but they did it by alluding to a falsehood, one they knew was false.  The writers of this story KNEW and admitted as much on ESPN that Manny’s test was for a drug, a prescription drug, NOT a steroid.  Is it not enough that true steroid users like Rodriguez are ripping the game apart from the inside out, do we need sports beat writers tearing it down from the outside by not giving all the facts???!  I think not.

I am glad that Manny’s stupidity was the case here.  I have truly been disheartened by the ruination of the game by steroids and their users.  But before we all jump on the He’s On Roids bandwagon, we need to have all the facts….something the LA Times should have done from the beginning.

NOTE: THIS COLUMN MAY BE REVISED BASED ON FURTHER INFORMATION THAT IS NOW COMING OUT REGARDING hCG AND RAMIREZ.  hCG IS NOT A STEROID BUT IS USED BY STEROID USERS FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS INCLUDING TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION, TESTICULAR SHRINKAGE, AND SPERMATOGENESIS.

Oh and the Braves beat the Marlins last night…Dream on Chop Heads, Dream On!