Manny Suspended: Move Sends Dodgers Into Damage Control Mode

Dodgers Lose Face Of Their Organization With Ramirez' Suspension

The Dodgers have lost "not only their most productive hitter but the face of the organization" with LF Manny Ramirez being suspended 50 games for violating MLB's drug policy, according to Michael Becker of the Riverside PRESS-ENTERPRISE. The revelation that Ramirez tested positive for a banned substance "sent the Dodgers organization into dizzying waves of damage control -- not only on the ball field but in the boardroom" as well. Sports Business Group President David Carter: "They had the best story in baseball going. ... Now they have the worst story going" (Riverside PRESS-ENTERPRISE, 5/8). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Futterman & Karp write while the suspension is the "latest blow to baseball," the problem "strikes doubly hard in Los Angeles, where ... Ramirez arrived last summer and revitalized a team that has been starved for a star since" C Mike Piazza was traded to the Marlins in '98. When the Dodgers in March signed Ramirez to a new two-year, $45M contract, they spent about $2M "advertising for the season," including "splashing his image onto billboards." But a Dodgers spokesperson said that the team "will be replacing those billboard images soon" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/8). In N.Y., Michael Schmidt notes the suspension is a "significant setback for the Dodgers' efforts to increase their Hispanic fan support by marketing Ramirez" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/8).

MY BLUE HELL: In California, Jim Carlisle writes, "One day Ramirez is the face of the franchise. The next his suspension puts a cloud over the entire team." When Ramirez returns to the field in July, the "collateral damage will have been done to the Dodgers" (VENTURA COUNTY STAR, 5/8). In L.A., Bill Plaschke writes, "The best and brightest neighborhood in the Los Angeles sports landscape is a very different place today. Mannywood has officially gone to hell" (L.A. TIMES, 5/8). USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale writes Ramirez’ suspension is a “psychological and economic blow” to the Dodgers, as he has become a “fan favorite in less than a year” with the club (USA TODAY, 5/8). L.A. Times Dodgers beat writer Dylan Hernandez said, "You could argue that (Ramirez) might be the most popular player this team’s ever had. I think it’s going to be crushing” ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 5/7). In California, Gregg Patton: "The unthinkable arrived like a fastball to the head. This is as bad as it could be for the Dodgers. In L.A., to be cool is everything and Manny had made the team cool again. But cool is on hold. Sickening takes its place" (Riverside PRESS-ENTERPRISE, 5/8).

SERIOUS QUESTIONS AWAIT MANNY: ESPN's Buster Olney said, "The Dodgers asset is badly damaged, and so there’s talk among club executives maybe next time around with the labor agreement we should talk about a zero tolerance policy” ("Baseball Tonight," ESPN2, 5/7). The L.A. TIMES' Plaschke notes the MLB drug agreement prevents the Dodgers from releasing Ramirez or "exacting further punishment." If Ramirez returns, "he must face his various constituents with truthfulness and transparency, answering all questions about steroid use, a four-step program" (L.A. TIMES, 5/8). In L.A., Jill Painter writes Ramirez "conned us into thinking he'd changed," but he was "worse than anyone knew." Painter: "This is not just Manny being Manny. This is Manny being malicious. ... The Dodgers would have been better off had they never signed him" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 5/8). In Long Beach, Doug Krikorian: "The Dodgers got a great batsman -- and the trouble that goes with him" (Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM, 5/8).

Will Dodgers GM Colletti (l), Owner McCourt Welcome Ramirez Back After Suspension?

WILL L.A. WELCOME HIM HOME? In L.A., Kevin Modesti wonders, "Would you welcome him back with a standing ovation?" Dodgers fans who "can't bring themselves to denounce a player in blue for breaking the rules could damn him for risking the locals' season by getting caught" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 5/8). But Dallas Morning News columnist Tim Cowlishaw said, “As soon as Manny comes back in the first of July and he hits that first home run, Dodger fans are going to give him a standing ovation. They’ll welcome him back” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 5/7). N.Y. Daily News reporter Frank Isola: "The people in L.A. are just going to be counting down the games until Manny comes back” (“Daily News Live,” SportsNet N.Y., 5/7). Dodgers GM Ned Colletti Thursday said, "We all do make mistakes, but I've learned in my life and watching other people that you can be saddened and you can feel not right about something, but there's none of us that haven't done something we wish we hadn't done" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 5/8).