Manny Apologizes To Teammates -- Mlb FanHouse

Manny Apologizes to Teammates

Posted May 15, 2009 6:05 PM

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MIAMI (May 15) - An "anxious" Manny Ramirez apologized to his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Friday, the first time he was around the club since being suspended for 50 games for using a banned substance.

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Los Angeles Dodgers Manny Ramirez hits a two-run double against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Lori Shepler).

Los Angeles Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw is tagged out by Washington Nationals catcher Jesus Flores during the fifith inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 6, 2009. Dodgers' Manny Ramirez was safe at first on a fielder's choice. (AP Photo/Lori Shepler).

Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez celebrates as he advances to third base off of an RBI single by teammate Andre Ethier during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, May 5, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez, right, grimaces after being hit by a pitch as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder stands at left, during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles on Monday, May 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Hector Mata)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 03: Manny Ramirez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates a 7-3 victory over the San Diego Padres with teammates at Dodger Stadium on May 3, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Ramirez

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 30: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates a 8-5 win with Manny Ramirez #99 and Andre Ethier #16 over the San Diego Padres after the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on April 30, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers would win 8-5. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Kemp;Manny Ramirez;Andre Ethier

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Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez, left, celebrates with Rafael Furcal after Ramirez hit a solo home run in the third inning against the San Diego Padres on Thursday, April 30, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Pasadena Star-News, Keith Birmingham) ** MAGS OUT NO SALES **

Ramirez used the words "I'm sorry," said Dodgers manager Joe Torre, although many players said the apology wasn't necessary.

"It was uncomfortable. I'll give you that," Torre said. "We spent some time together before we went into the meeting room and he was a little anxious. That's the human side of this thing. He 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."

The brief meeting took place in a conference room at the team's waterfront hotel in South Florida before the Dodgers arrived at the Marlins' stadium to start a three-game series.

"I think he just wanted to let his team know how sorry he is," Torre 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," Dodgers third baseman Casey 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. Plans for the meeting were announced Thursday night when the team arrived in South Florida.

"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.

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"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."

Torre said Ramirez will begin working out again next week, possibly at Dodger Stadium. Ramirez will also discuss the situation publicly at some point before his suspension ends, although that's not expected to come this weekend.

"He knows what he has done," Torre said. "He's taken responsibility for it. He tried, I don't want to say make light of it, but he tried to look past it and my advice to him was, it is what it is. You just have to get yourself ready to come back."

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.

"I know deep inside him, he's ashamed for what happened," Dodgers first base coach Mariano Duncan said.

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 start 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."

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2009-05-15 18:27:14