MLB '09 - Page 11

Ghoulish Delight · 05-07-2009, 07:25 AM

Which would make it the longest home winning streak in Dodger history, start of the season or otherwise.

I'm 99% certain there is only one thing that can end this streak...I'll be at the game Friday.

Moonliner · 05-07-2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Which would make it the longest home winning streak in Dodger history, start of the season or otherwise.

I'm 99% certain there is only one thing that can end this streak...I'll be at the game Friday.

Yup, that should do it.

Ghoulish Delight · 05-07-2009, 09:00 AM

Oh FVCK!!

Ghoulish Delight · 05-07-2009, 09:04 AM

The LA Times article

It's unclear form the article whether the suspension is based on a recent positive test, or his alleged test in 2003.

Strangler Lewis · 05-07-2009, 09:07 AM

Oh well. However, unlike with Barry, the question, "Do you think he doesn't know every last thing that he's putting into his body?" could easily be answered, "Yeah."

Ghoulish Delight · 05-07-2009, 09:10 AM

An ESPN blurb makes it sound like a recent test. He's apparently going to claim it was the result of prescription meds from his private doctor for a medical issue. Dubious.

Moonliner · 05-07-2009, 09:30 AM

That's just Manny being Manny.

Andrew · 05-07-2009, 09:37 AM

Manny Ramirez Suspended Following Positive Drug Test -- KTLA

Quote:

Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez been suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

The commissioner's office didn't announce the specific violation by the Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder.

Manny will be eligible to return to the Dodgers July 3rd.

An unidentified source told KTLA partner The Los Angeles Times that Manny will attribute the positive test to medication given to him for personal medical use by a doctor.

Moonliner · 05-07-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CNNSI.com

After consultation with the MLBPA and his representatives, Ramirez has decided not to challenge the suspension. The source said the substance was not classified as a steroid but was clearly defined as a banned performance enhancer

Link.

Ghoulish Delight · 05-07-2009, 01:35 PM

Putting aside the obvious ethical questions for a moment, looking at it from a purely competitive angle, this stands to either completely undo the Dodger season...or be the best thing that could have happened.

The road to disaster is obvious. With Manny gone, they lose their highest batting average, highest on base percentage, and their biggest longball threat. They also lose the intimidation factor that causes pitchers to overextend themselves trying to keep the batters in front of him off the bases leading to mistakes. And they lose the intangible clubhouse leadership he's shown, seemingly instantly transforming last year's loose bunch of inexperience kids with "potential" into a potent disciplined team. You can't overestimate how important all of that is, plus anything that results in more field time for Juan "oh sh*t, a fly ball, what do I do?!" Pierre can't be good.

On the other hand, there are a few factors that give me some confidence. First off, they've got a 6 1/2 game cushion right now. They can afford a bit of a stumble and still right themselves. And they should have the ability to do just that. Manny's good, but he was hardly carrying the team. 7 of their 8 regular starters have 13 or more RBI, and Manny is only #2 on the list. Ethier (the RBI leader) has matched Manny's 6 homers, with Blake just one behind. Ethier's also scored as many runs as Manny, Hudson scoring one more than both. So it's hardly an impotent offense without him.

And then there's the time off. Manny's old. He's already got a gimpy hamstring this season. I was pretty much expecting him to hit the DL at some point this season,at least once. Now, instead of stringing that injury along until he inevitably does something more serious, only to be hurried back without fully recovering from THAT, he's now got 2 months to let that little bit of a strain heal properly and then get back closer to 100%.

If Mannyless Dodgers can remain competitive until July, they'll be in position to really punish the league once he does return. And getting some experience winning without Manny can only improve an offense that's already proven far better than they were last year.

It will still be a big hurdle to get along without the cornerstone piece of the offense, but there's a pretty serious upside if they pull it off.

05-07-2009, 07:25 AM	#101
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Which would make it the longest home winning streak in Dodger history, start of the season or otherwise. I'm 99% certain there is only one thing that can end this streak...I'll be at the game Friday. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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05-07-2009, 09:00 AM	#103
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Oh FVCK!! __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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05-07-2009, 09:04 AM	#104
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	The LA Times article It's unclear form the article whether the suspension is based on a recent positive test, or his alleged test in 2003. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

05-07-2009, 09:07 AM	#105
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	Oh well. However, unlike with Barry, the question, "Do you think he doesn't know every last thing that he's putting into his body?" could easily be answered, "Yeah." __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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05-07-2009, 09:10 AM	#106
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	An ESPN blurb makes it sound like a recent test. He's apparently going to claim it was the result of prescription meds from his private doctor for a medical issue. Dubious. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

05-07-2009, 09:30 AM	#107
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	That's just Manny being Manny. __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
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05-07-2009, 01:35 PM	#110
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Putting aside the obvious ethical questions for a moment, looking at it from a purely competitive angle, this stands to either completely undo the Dodger season...or be the best thing that could have happened. The road to disaster is obvious. With Manny gone, they lose their highest batting average, highest on base percentage, and their biggest longball threat. They also lose the intimidation factor that causes pitchers to overextend themselves trying to keep the batters in front of him off the bases leading to mistakes. And they lose the intangible clubhouse leadership he's shown, seemingly instantly transforming last year's loose bunch of inexperience kids with "potential" into a potent disciplined team. You can't overestimate how important all of that is, plus anything that results in more field time for Juan "oh sh*t, a fly ball, what do I do?!" Pierre can't be good. On the other hand, there are a few factors that give me some confidence. First off, they've got a 6 1/2 game cushion right now. They can afford a bit of a stumble and still right themselves. And they should have the ability to do just that. Manny's good, but he was hardly carrying the team. 7 of their 8 regular starters have 13 or more RBI, and Manny is only #2 on the list. Ethier (the RBI leader) has matched Manny's 6 homers, with Blake just one behind. Ethier's also scored as many runs as Manny, Hudson scoring one more than both. So it's hardly an impotent offense without him. And then there's the time off. Manny's old. He's already got a gimpy hamstring this season. I was pretty much expecting him to hit the DL at some point this season,at least once. Now, instead of stringing that injury along until he inevitably does something more serious, only to be hurried back without fully recovering from THAT, he's now got 2 months to let that little bit of a strain heal properly and then get back closer to 100%. If Mannyless Dodgers can remain competitive until July, they'll be in position to really punish the league once he does return. And getting some experience winning without Manny can only improve an offense that's already proven far better than they were last year. It will still be a big hurdle to get along without the cornerstone piece of the offense, but there's a pretty serious upside if they pull it off. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes