UPDATE (12:20 PM CT): Just read some interesting facts, or rumors, take your pick. Apparently, Manny is attributing the positive test result to a prescribed medication that he's been taking, or was. He's been told he can't speak publicly about any of this, so we'll never really know, and will people even believe him anyway? But it's gotten to a point where you almost have to think that the testing has become so rigorous that you can't even take aspirin or ibuprofen for a headache, or Robitussin or Claritin for head colds or allergy issues. There has to be a fine line on what you can and can not take. Does anyone really think after all the trouble people like Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens and A-Rod got into, that a player of Manny's stature, with an agent as powerful and knowledgable as Scott Boras, would be dumb enough to take any PEDs to get a competitive edge? Still, as the old say goes, inquiring minds want to know.
**********
Well, so much for that. The streak is intact. Manny is not. Just heard, read, learned, whatever you wanna call it, that Manny will be suspended by MLB for Performance-enhancing drugs. Here's my next question: When was the test taken, and when did he take whatever it was he took? We'll never know. (But I only ask this because he hasn't been with the Dodgers very long, and I was curious as to whether the test took place before or after the trade, not that it even really matters.) But this puts a huge dent in the Dodger offense, and perhaps even in their clubhouse comaraderie. Manny is a well-liked player in the Dodger clubhouse and among the fans, and I'm sure this will ultimately change how the L.A. fans perceive him. Let's just hope this doesn't affect the rest of the team's play on the field for the next 50 games.
As for the streak, they are still 13-0 home, 21-8 overall, 20-6 against the division and have still won 7 straight. They have Washington in town for one more, with The Hated Ones To The North in town for the weekend. The streak and records and everything else still has some life to it, at least for four more games. Or does it?
Sure, taking Manny out of the equation will change things, but this is a still a very good hitting lineup even without him, and even in this division. Having said that, let's get one thing clear: Manny isn't the only one hitting on this team. If they can just stay consistent for 50 games until Manny returns, which would be July 3, the Dodgers should be fine. And by staying consistent I don't necessarily mean playing at a .700+ mark, but is .550 too much to ask for?
Last night for instance, the Dodgers had a 4-1 lead without Manny's help before he hit a bases-loaded, two-run double as part of that seven-run inning that stretched the lead to 9-1. The key for this team to staying afloat and to keep their current pace, which no one would expect them to do anyway, is their pitching.
As for Manny, this is about as shocking as finding out Alex Rodriguez was, and might still be, using steroids or PEDs. The only difference is the 50-game suspension for Manny comes from current testing, and not from some secretive blanket test to determine if testing is needed. So, now that two of the biggest names in the game have been hit with this in some way, shape or form, who's to say there aren't others out there? Does this mean we can start suspecting a hitter like Albert Pujols, as well? Probably not, but you can bet some people will now.
And one last thing, I have always said I didn't care if players were taking steroids or PEDs, simply because there were, and maybe still are, plenty of players using whatever they can find to get a competitive advantage. The playing field will never be even, and probably never was before all this.
So, back to the game on the field. Randy Wolf takes the bump for the Blue tonight against rookie sensation (well, he's not a sensation yet, but he will be) Jordan Zimmermann (no relation to Ryan, who only has one 'n' at the end of his last name). There's still a winning streak to keep intact. And Xavier Paul will be recalled to take Manny's place on the roster, however, Juan Pierre will likely get the bulk of the playing time in the interim.
**********
Well, so much for that. The streak is intact. Manny is not. Just heard, read, learned, whatever you wanna call it, that Manny will be suspended by MLB for Performance-enhancing drugs. Here's my next question: When was the test taken, and when did he take whatever it was he took? We'll never know. (But I only ask this because he hasn't been with the Dodgers very long, and I was curious as to whether the test took place before or after the trade, not that it even really matters.) But this puts a huge dent in the Dodger offense, and perhaps even in their clubhouse comaraderie. Manny is a well-liked player in the Dodger clubhouse and among the fans, and I'm sure this will ultimately change how the L.A. fans perceive him. Let's just hope this doesn't affect the rest of the team's play on the field for the next 50 games.
As for the streak, they are still 13-0 home, 21-8 overall, 20-6 against the division and have still won 7 straight. They have Washington in town for one more, with The Hated Ones To The North in town for the weekend. The streak and records and everything else still has some life to it, at least for four more games. Or does it?
Sure, taking Manny out of the equation will change things, but this is a still a very good hitting lineup even without him, and even in this division. Having said that, let's get one thing clear: Manny isn't the only one hitting on this team. If they can just stay consistent for 50 games until Manny returns, which would be July 3, the Dodgers should be fine. And by staying consistent I don't necessarily mean playing at a .700+ mark, but is .550 too much to ask for?
Last night for instance, the Dodgers had a 4-1 lead without Manny's help before he hit a bases-loaded, two-run double as part of that seven-run inning that stretched the lead to 9-1. The key for this team to staying afloat and to keep their current pace, which no one would expect them to do anyway, is their pitching.
As for Manny, this is about as shocking as finding out Alex Rodriguez was, and might still be, using steroids or PEDs. The only difference is the 50-game suspension for Manny comes from current testing, and not from some secretive blanket test to determine if testing is needed. So, now that two of the biggest names in the game have been hit with this in some way, shape or form, who's to say there aren't others out there? Does this mean we can start suspecting a hitter like Albert Pujols, as well? Probably not, but you can bet some people will now.
And one last thing, I have always said I didn't care if players were taking steroids or PEDs, simply because there were, and maybe still are, plenty of players using whatever they can find to get a competitive advantage. The playing field will never be even, and probably never was before all this.
So, back to the game on the field. Randy Wolf takes the bump for the Blue tonight against rookie sensation (well, he's not a sensation yet, but he will be) Jordan Zimmermann (no relation to Ryan, who only has one 'n' at the end of his last name). There's still a winning streak to keep intact. And Xavier Paul will be recalled to take Manny's place on the roster, however, Juan Pierre will likely get the bulk of the playing time in the interim.
No comments:
Post a Comment