Baseball takes another hit (or two)

By STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Bad day for baseball.

Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers was suspended for 50 games Thursday, becoming the latest high-profile player caught in the game's drug scandals.

Ramirez issued a statement saying he did not take steroids but was prescribed medication by a doctor that contained a banned substance.

Major League Baseball officials didn't announce the specific violation by the 36-year-old outfielder, who apologized to the Dodgers and fans for "this whole situation."

Meanwhile, SI.com is reporting that MLB will expand its investigation of New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (he's in the drug probe, too) to include recent allegations that he told opposing players what pitches where about to be thrown.

The story says Rodriguez allegedly "pitch-tipped" in blowout games back when he was with the Texas Rangers in 2001-03. The understanding was that they would tip him off when he was batting.

A-Rod was not quoted in the story. He's in Dunedin, Fla., recovering from from hip surgery.

On the field Wednesday night he slid for the first time since the surgery and went 1-for-5 in an exhibition game.

He's supposed to rejoin the Yankees on Friday in Baltimore.

The pitch-tipping allegations originate from a new book, "A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez," by Selena Roberts.

David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox was asked by MLB.com how he would deal with a teammate who might do such things. Big Papi had obviously reached his tipping point.

"I would beat the crap out of him," Ortiz said. "... I mean, I don't care if that's your brother pitching out there. We're trying to win the game. That's not the right thing to do."