One of the game's great sluggers, Ramirez tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance and wasted little time in saying he was done with the game. Some in baseball were baffled that he would get caught again violating Major League Baseball's drug policy. Others were upset that baseball is still dealing with the questions of steroid use, in the current trial of Barry Bonds and the upcoming trial of Roger Clemens.
"Any time this comes up, it's kind of a black eye for baseball," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Saturday. "It's sad that we keep trying to put this behind us, and it just keeps resurfacing." Others were disappointed that another player walked away in shame.
"Until the past couple of years, I thought he was on his way to the Hall of Fame," Texas manager Ron Washington said of Ramirez. "You hate to see greatness all of a sudden just fade."
Ramirez, 38, decided to retire Friday rather than face a 100-game suspension for a second violation of MLB's drug policy. He signed a $2 million, one-year contract in the offseason and had a strong spring training, but played in only five games for the Rays, going 1 for 17. The 12-time All-Star finished his career with 555 home runs and a .312 batting average. Only 13 players hit more home runs.
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