The Dodgers were put in the spotlight right after slugger Manny Ramirez received his 50-game suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy. Even his absence, the Dodgers have really flourished and their pitching has been strong. Juan Pierre, who replaced Ramirez in left field, have stepped in and played effectively. Today, the Dodgers are leading the National League West by eight games. Last Friday, the Los Angeles best Philadelphia on a game-ending two-run double by Andre Ethier. On Saturday, the Los Angeles also defeated Philadelphia on a game-ending homer made possible by Ethier.

In the midst of the Dodgers’ impressive games, the spirit of Ramirez still prevail and continues to stir public interest. Despite the suspension, fans are still clamoring that he should be an All-Star. His suspension will end on July 3, only 11 days before the All-Star Game. At the beginning of last week, Ramirez was on the fifth spot among N.L. outfielders in fan voting for the much-awaited game. Results of last week shows that Ramirez had received 635, 530 votes. Although he dropped a notch from fourth from the previous week to fifth place, the fact that he has received so many votes raises major issues.

The Major League Baseball (MLB) together with players union must have a strong statement on reward and punishment. What baseball needs is a regulation that states in no uncertain terms that beginning next season, any player who tests positive for a banned substance before or during the season will not be eligible for the All-Star Game —or any postseason awards. But under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, Ramirez can still play in the All-Star Game because his suspension will end before the game.

“I don’t agree with that,” is what Dodgers Manager Joe Torre has to say about a rule barring players from being honored after the suspension from steroid or other banned substance. “I agree that if you do something wrong like that, there shouldn’t be a reward at the end of it. To me, it’s all about rewarding. When the votes were there and he was fourth, I said at the time I don’t think he should be there.” He also added, referring to Ramirez, “He’s played in a handful of games. He’s keeping somebody else off the team, and I think if you ask Manny, he’d tell you the same thing. It’s not fair.”

In the National League (NFL), there is already an agreement between the league and the players on such a rule two seasons ago, after San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman was voted to the Pro Bowl even when he tested positive for steroids in 2006. Merriman served a four-game suspension but still played in the Pro Bowl. The NFL took a stand. MLB must do the same.

During the past two seasons, there is already a number of players who are against steroid use. Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins said that players who violated the league’s drug policy must not be honored. “If you get caught in the first half of the season, no matter who you are, what you mean to the game, you shouldn’t be an All-Star,” Rollins said Saturday. “It shouldn’t really be a question. Even if he’s leading in the voting or is second, he’s basically taking a spot for somebody else who is more deserving.”

Meanwhile, Donald Fehr, the executive director of baseball’s union sticks to the existing contract. “We have an agreement,” he said during a phone interview. “This situation was considered during the time the agreement was negotiated. If the suspension takes place during the time the All-Star Game is played, the player is not eligible. If it’s over, and he has completed the penalty, then he’s like any other player.”

Trackback URI | Comments RSS