Manny Being Manny

Ramirez had one hit in 17 at-bats
with the Rays in '11.

Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Manny Ramirez is calling it a career. Ramirez, who signed a one-year deal with the Rays this offseason, was batting .059 in five games with the team in 2011.

This does not come as a surprise with his recent struggles at the plate, but what does come as a shock is the reason why Ramirez is retiring.

According to Major League Baseball, there is a problem with Ramirez and the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Ramirez has chosen rather than completing and continuing the process under the Program to retire from baseball.

Ramirez, then with the Los Angeles Dodgers, was suspended 50 games by baseball in 2009 after testing positive for a female fertility drug. Even though the drug was not considered a steroid, it was commonly used by steroids users to restore their testosterone levels back to normal.

It is unclear what Ramirez has done to violate the Major League Drug Policy, but in any event Ramirez has opted for retirement.

A former first-round pick of the Cleveland Indians back in 1991, Ramirez quickly gained the reputation of one of the game's most feared hitters. In 19 seasons, Ramirez was a 12-time All-Star with a career batting average of .312. Prior to the start of the 2001 season, Ramirez left Cleveland, signing a eight-year $160 million deal to join the Boston Red Sox.

In 2002, Ramirez won the American League batting title with an average at .349. In 2004, Ramirez led the Red Sox to first World Series title in 86 years, being named the series' Most Valuable Player. His 555 career home runs ranks him 14th on the all-time list and finishes with 1831 career runs batted in.

Ramirez will always be remembered for his playful, yet sometimes idiotic antics. Which have commonly been know as 'Manny being Manny'. With Ramirez calling it a career we can finally look back on a wonderful, yet controversial career.

The 38-year-old outfielder is forever linked to performance-enhancing drugs, his numbers always tainted and now will begin the debate, will Manny ever be inducted in Cooperstown? We'll let you decide.

Cy for Cole?

Hamels could win a lot of
games in '11.

The Philadelphia Phillies have arguably the best starting rotation in Major League Baseball.

With the return of left-hander Cliff Lee in the offseason, signing a five-year $120 million, the Phillies have four potential aces on their current staff. The staff has combined for 14 All-Star appearances, three Cy Young Awards, six 20-win seasons, two National League Championship Most Valuable Player Awards and a World Series MVP.

This staff has the potential to be one of the best ever assembled.

Ace Roy Halladay is coming a year where he won the NL Cy Young Award, threw a perfect game against the Florida Marlins and no-hitter in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Cincinnati Reds. Lee is fresh off another great postseason, this time with the Texas Rangers and second consecutive World Series appearance. Roy Oswalt has pitched in the postseason three of his ten big league seasons. Then lies left-hander Cole Hamels, who might be flying radar more than ever heading into 2011.

Hamels got back onto the baseball map last season, bouncing back from an up-and-down year in 2009, where he went only 10-11 with a 4.32 earned run average. The left-hander had high expectations heading into '09 after being named the 2008 NLCS and World Series MVP in Philadelphia's journey to their first World Series title since 1980.

Hamels has since battled back to being a front of the line starter for the Phillies, getting backing to his old form throwing the ball in the mid-90s last October.

This could have been attributed to less pressure with numerous brand names in the rotation along side him.

Hamels could be a sleeper for this year's NL Cy Young Award.With a staff that has four potential 20-game winners in the same season, Hamels seems to have the biggest upside. Still only 27, Hamels has yet to reach his full potential and could break out this upcoming season. The lefty will be matched up most of the season with opponents No. 4 four starters when indeed they are No. 4 starters, Hamels, however, is not a No. 4 starter on any other staff in the big leagues.

That could be a formula for a lot of wins for the season ahead and another trophy to add to his already decorated cabinet.