Ramirez apologizes to teammates for suspension

MIAMI (AP) - May 15, 2009 The "five- to 10-minute" meeting took place at the team's waterfront hotel in South Florida before the Dodgers arrived at the Florida Marlins' stadium to start a three-game weekend series, Los Angeles third baseman Casey Blake said.

The Los Angeles Times first reported that Ramirez had apologized. Ramirez lives near the Marlins' stadium but is not expected at the ballpark this weekend.

"He knows he made a mistake. I forgive him," Blake said. "It's his business."

Ramirez was suspended on May 7. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt met with him twice last weekend in Los Angeles and encouraged Ramirez to apologize to teammates "eyeball to eyeball."

That opportunity came Friday, when the Dodgers saw their teammate for the first time since the suspension.

"I don't think anyone was really looking for" an apology, Blake said. "It was something he wanted to do and I think it was heartfelt."

Ramirez spoke for a few minutes, and teammates - other than greeting him and shaking his hand - did not ask any questions, said Blake, who declined to say what words Ramirez specifically used during his address to the Dodgers.

"I think in Manny's case, it made him feel better just to get in front of the team," Blake said. "I think it was kind of a big load off his shoulders just to greet the team again."

A person familiar with the details of the suspension said last week that Ramirez used the female fertility drug HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). HCG is popular among steroid users because it can mitigate the side effects of ending a cycle of the drugs.

Ramirez has said he did not take steroids and was given medication by a doctor that contained a banned substance.

A 12-time All-Star, Ramirez played in 27 of the Dodgers' first 29 games, batting .348 with six homers to help them get off to their best since 1983. The Dodgers lost four of their first five games after Ramirez was suspended, but they still lead the NL West.

Ramirez led Los Angeles into last year's playoffs after joining the team at the trade deadline from the Boston Red Sox. He could be eligible to return July 3, barring any rainouts or postponements.

"He was a guy concerned about his team and his teammates," Blake said. "I know he feels bad. Everyone knows how he's feeling. It was just nice to see him again and I think it was nice for him to see us again."

---

Baseball writer Ron Blum contributed to this report.

Follow Action News on Twitter

Get Action News on your website

Follow Action News on Facebook

Click here to get the latest Philadelphia news and headlines from across the Delaware and Lehigh valleys.

Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.