5/10-5/16
Author: Matt Gerwitz
http://www.BaseballDailyNews.com, U. S. Sports Media, Inc
The steroid issue once again reared its ugly head this week with Roger Clemens making a Tuesday appearance on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning, and Manny Ramirez addressing his Dodgers teammates on Friday afternoon. In a time when at least eight of baseball's greatest modern-era batters have been linked to performance enhancing drugs, Major League Baseball is hoping to put this issue aside as quickly as possible. It doesn't look like that will happen anytime soon.
Clemens asked for the radio interview in anticipation of the release of a new "tell-all" book slated to be released the same day. "American Icon: The Fall of Roger Clemens and the Rise of Steroids in America's Pastime", written by a handful of reporters from the New York Daily Times contains evidence and allegations of drug use that Clemens flatly denies. At one point the troubled pitcher referenced heart disease in his family that provided motivation for him to stay away from illegal substances. Those remarks were misrepresented and taken the wrong according to Clemens, who issued a statement the following morning to correct any misconceptions.
Friday's visit by Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers club was arranged so the team's most popular player could apologize to his teammates for what he described in an earlier statement as taking medication prescribed to him by his doctor. The meeting lasted no more than ten minutes according to those present, and the team has refused to divulge any details of what was said. L.A. Manager Joe Torre stated that Ramirez "...basically went around, shook everybody's hand. I think guys were happy to see him. I think there was a little uneasiness on both sides." Ramirez is scheduled to return to the Dodgers' lineup in early July.
MINNESOTA (5/14) - The Minnesota Twins completed a three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night, improving their record to 18-18. The Twins were projected to be one of the hottest teams going into spring training, yet they find themselves struggling to stay above .500 . Winning 6-2, 14-10 and 6-5, the Twins are remaining respectable at the plate, ranking 15th in runs scored and 11 in total hits. Right fielder Denard Span and first baseman Justin Morneau continue to be the team's two most consistent hitters and run producers.
ATLANTA (5/16) - The Arizona Diamondbacks aren't winning a lot of games this year as they sit at the bottom of the NL West, already 11 games out of first place. But Saturday night the boys from the desert came alive in Atlanta, producing twelve runs on eleven hits to shut out the Braves at Turner Field. The victory was new manager A.J. Hinch's second on the year, and the first Major League win for righty Max Scherzer. In a losing effort Atlanta pitcher Kenshin Kawakami went 5 innings allowing five hits and three runs, walking one and striking out four.
SEATTLE (5/16) - After being placed on the 15-day disabled list prior to Wednesday's game against the Angels, Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis got some much-needed rest before flying back to Boston on Saturday. Youkilis sustained an injury to his left arm after being struck twice by the pitcher in a May 4th game against the Yankees. The Bosox are sending him to Pawtucket for a two-day rehab on Monday and Tuesday, and hope to have him back with the team when they play Toronto on Wednesday. He will be eligible to return then since his DL designation was retroactive to May 5th.
Source: http://www.BaseballWeeklyNews.com, U. S. Sports Media, Inc
