Manny Ramirez, a Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder, was slapped with a 50 game suspension after testing positive for using performance-enhancing drugs (PED). Although the Major League Baseball commissioner's office have not yet provided a solid ground for his suspension, Manny Ramirez himself issued a statement referring to the possible violation he committed. (UPDATE: Manny Ramirez was suspended for using a Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). It is a performance-enhancing drug, but not a steroid).
In his statement, Manny Ramirez revealed that he recently "saw a physician for a personal health issue", which needed a "medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK". He continued that: "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." Ramirez lamented that although he successfully passed health tests for over 5 seasons, he is wants to apologize to Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, manager Joe Torre, his teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans for this incident. Manny Ramirez is under a two-year, $45 million contract in the LA Dodgers team, which he was instrumental for the team's Major League lead 21-8. More information about Manny Ramirez being suspended can be read in USA Today.
human chorionic gonadotropin is not a steroid.
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