I guess I’m in some weird, forgiving mood. I only hope the tax-hikers in Augusta and Richmond don’t notice.
Anyhow, as the Yankee fans in me was preparing for the guilty pleasure of schadenfreude while reading about Man-Ram’s suspension, this caught my eye (CNNSI, emphasis added):
The source said the substance was not classified as a steroid but was clearly defined as a banned performance enhancer according to the drug agreement between baseball and its players association.
Wait a minute, “not classified as a steroid”? What does that mean?
Man-Ram hinself says he got something from a doctor that was presumed to be OK and wasn’t. Again, normally this would be laughed out of the room, but I’m still hung up on “not classified as a steroid.”
If this is something where Ramirez simply forgot to clue MLB in on what was going on (and given Man-Ram’s nonchalant attitude on, well, everything, would that really surprise anyone?), then he’s in for an unfair shaft. Still, it’s always best to come clean with everything, which Man-Ram hasn’t quite done yet.
We will see, but I’m willing to wait a (short) while before throwing him to the wolves.
UPDATE: Tim Watson points out in the comments that the substance in question was a women’s fertility drug. That shifts the default position. Until someone can explain to me what medicinal reason Man-Ram would have for taking that, let the ridicule recommence!
Same CCNSI link (top right): “NEW: Report says banned substance was a women’s fertility drug”.
So, apparently it wasn’t a steroid per se, but it was a performance-enhancing drug that was still banned under the collective bargaining agreement.
Depending on which drug it was, there are several drugs used on women with fertility issues that, if given to men, will significantly, increase testosterone production.
So, again, not a steroid per se, but testosterone is certainly something that can enhance performance
DJ, you got to understand that steroid cycling shuts down the body’s natural production of testosterone. Drugs like the one Manny took are often prescribed to restart that production.
It’s like waking up and seeing the ground wet. You didn’t actually see it rain, but you’re pretty sure it did from the results.
Brian,
Hmm, so he could’ve been taking testosterone boosters to hide steroid use ?
more like “to recover from the side effects of”