http://www.fox8.com/sports/wjw-manny-ramirez-says-retiring-txt,0,6942727.story

NEW YORK (AP) -- Tampa Bay Rays slugger Manny Ramirez told Major League Baseball on Friday that he is retiring after being notified of an issue that arose under MLB's drug policy.

The commissioner's office announced Ramirez's decision in a statement, but did not say whether he tested positive for a banned substance. Ramirez previously served a 50-game suspension for violating the drug policy while he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"Major League Baseball recently notified Manny Ramirez of an issue under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," the statement said. "Rather than continue with the process under the Program, Ramirez has informed MLB that he is retiring as an active player. If Ramirez seeks reinstatement in the future, the process under the Drug Program will be completed."

MLB said it would have no further comment.

"The Tampa Bay Rays were informed today by the Commissioner's Office that Manny Ramirez has decided to retire after being informed of an issue under the Drug Program," the Rays said in a statement. "We are obviously surprised and disappointed by this news. We will have no further comment on this matter, and our fans and organization will carry on."

The 38-year-old outfielder-designated hitter left the team earlier this week to attend to what the Rays called a family matter. Manager Joe Maddon said on Thursday that he expected Ramirez to be available for Friday night's game at the Chicago White Sox.

The 12-time All-Star agreed to a $2 million, one-year contract with the defending AL East champions in the offseason, hoping to re-establish himself as one of the game's feared hitters.

Ramirez hit .298 with nine homers and 42 RBIs in 90 games for the Dodgers and White Sox last season. He's a career .312 hitter with 555 home runs in 18-plus seasons, including some of his best seasons with the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox.

Way to quit before you're fired Manny.

He's just being Manny. lol

This is a very sad ending to what was once a great career.

Yup, a career that began right here in my hometown. Had he stayed in Cleveland, I doubt he would've been allowed to get away with all that he did once he jumped ship. The Indians kept him on a pretty tight leash.

He's just being Manny. lol

:rofl: I was waiting to see how long it would be before someone said that!!!

Way to quit before you're fired Manny.

Sad but true!! Manny, you should've stayed in Cleveland - even though you make stupid baserunning mistakes and stuff like that, the Indians kept you on somewhat of an even keel. What's sad is not that Manny is retiring (at least, for now) - but the reason WHY. What a shame.

Hopefully he won't join Charlie Sheen's tour. :eek: :eek: :eek:

I watched some footage of Manny's career that they showed on TV yesterday. He really did seem to be a different player and a different person when he was in Cleveland. He didn't have the dreadlocks, or the attitude, or many of the other negatives that seemed to be part of his later career. I have to agree with Monika that Manny would probably have been much better off to stay with the Indians.

Even in his years here, he had a short attention span - but he also seemed to be very shy and somewhat reclusive. Can you believe there was a time when he was hitting 7th or even 8th in our lineup? Not many teams can boast having the likes of Manny, Albert Belle, Jim Thome, Carlos Baerga, Julio Franco and Eddie Murray in their heyday. Here - Manny even sported the Kojak look for awhile when he shaved his head once. He wasn't the joke he ultimately became when he left here. Sometimes I wonder if he wishes he'd stayed.

Yes, folks - there was a time when he still looked normal!!!!

Another thing I disliked about Manny's later career was the baggy oversized uniforms he wore. I noticed from the pictures you posted that he never dressed like that in Cleveland! How did the Indians not win a World Series when they had Manny, Belle, Thome, Baerga, Franco et al in their line-up?

I hated those baggy uniforms myself. No, he never dressed that way here, thank goodness!! (Back in those days, my high school days, I had SUCH a crush on Manny. :o :lol:) As for the other question - THE CLEVELAND CURSE!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: