Manny Ramirez's 50-game suspension is no joke

Dodger slugger Manny Ramirez has been popped with a 50- game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, Bill Shaikin and Dylan Hernandez reported this morning.

This comes as a huge blow for the Dodgers, who are in the midst of a major league record home winning streak -- currently at 13 games.

But the shock has already hit Dodger fans, who have flooded the Dodger Thoughts blog to collectively mourn the fall of their team's leader.

underdog wrote:

Jeez louize.I thought this was an April Fool's joke at first. In May. Nope.How surreal.

theecount commented:

This is embarrassing for the team and the fans. This is crushing,,,,,

Because the suspension means that Ramirez will not be paid by the Dodgers, reader jpg sees a silver lining for the team:

On the plus side the Dodgers are saving 7.7 million dollars.

Meanwhile, WBB has some advice for Manny, comparing him to another home run-hitting star who has been accused of using illegal substances.

If Manny can come clean, and apologize, he will be more than one step ahead of B*rry B*nds.

So what are your thoughts? Do you believe that this test was faulty? Do you think lots of athletes are "juicing," and it's just a matter of time until others are snared? Will the Dodgers still be able to keep their red-hot pace without Ramirez in the lineup? Leave your comments below.

You can also check out the posts on Dodger Thoughts.

-- Tony Pierce

Photo: Manny Ramirez strikes out against the Padres on Friday at Dodger Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee / Image of Sport-US Presswire

Does the threat of violence stop you from going to Dodger Stadium?

L.A. Times reporter Andrew Blankstein reported last month that a man was stabbed multiple times during the Dodgers home opener against the San Francisco Giants. Blankstein followed up today with a report that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the assault.

This is not the first time that violence has been committed at the stadium. Back in 2003, a West Covina man leaving the stadium got into an argument with a group of men, which resulted in his death by shooting.

Right after the recent stabbing, our readers expressed concern about attending Dodgers games at Chavez Ravine.

"I have to say, the games have gotten worse. All these people do is ruin it for the true fans. We go and spend good money and the last thing that I want is: having to worry about my kids having things thrown at them. I had to tell my 4 year old, that the fool next to me was yelling, “dirty socks”, rather then “Giant Suck”. There needs to be a no tolerance rule with all of this fools who think, getting drunk and going to a public place is cool." - Rafa 

Dodger Stadium can bring chaotic fans, but that can happen anywhere in LA. People get unruly and they fight. Only COWARDS pull out knives and guns. What happened to fighting one on one and whoever wins, wins! That's it.  - Gina

Time to bring back those middle aged ushers with straw hats to kick butt and take names. - dodger tony

On the other hand....

Alex Rodriguez strikes out with fans

After Alex Rodriguez's admission during an interview with ESPN that he used performance enhancing drugs during his three-year stint with the Texas Rangers, the baseball player has been facing much scrutiny in the sports world. This comes amid the Sports Illustrated report that stated that Rodriguez did test positive in 2003 for anabolic steroids, the year in which the players were tested anonymously. While he cannot be banned from the MLB, Rodriguez is paying for it in the eyes of the public -- even die-hard New York Yankees' fans are turning foe.

Jorge I. Gomez said: There are no super humans and athletes are part of the human race, so when you see an athlete -- what a misnomer -- that bulks his physic to that of a weightlifter or doing things that would tire any other human being, then those "athletes" are using drugs. Just because some of them don't get caught, doesn't mean they are not using drugs, it means that they know how to play the gotcha game better than officials.

Baseball Fan said: The anonymity was granted by Major League Baseball. The results are becoming public as a result of a federal probe. If the mafia promised its members anonymity lying on their taxes, that doesn't mean law enforcement is bound to respect that deal. Thank goodness the names are coming out. Baseball won't clean itself up. Only having their addiction to steroids exposed in public is going to move players to stop using the stuff.

Ken said: Baseball was desperate to win the fans back after the strike.
They knew what was going on.
The numbers dont lie.
I love it how theyre playing "dumb" to this whole mess.

Do you think three years of steroid use equals three strikes, and Rodriguez should be out of baseball forever? Does coming clean mean that all your past mistakes can be forgiven? Will we see an increase of Boston Red Sox fans now that the Yankees' player has tarnished their reputation? Comment below.

-- Michelle Castillo

In this video frame grab, Alex Rodriguez is interviewed by ESPN's Peter Gammons on Monday, Feb. 9, 2009. Rodriguez admitted during the interview that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03, saying he did so because of the pressures of being baseball's highest-paid player. AP Photo/ESPN