Manny Ramirez Released by Texas Rangers Affiliate - Free to Pursue Other Interests
Controversial former superstar Manny Ramirez's second attempt at baseball life perhaps ended yesterday when the Texas Rangers released him from his minor league contract.
The 41-year-old was trying to come back to the Major Leagues after a number of PED suspensions and a retirement.
He was hitting .259 with three homeruns and 13 RBI's in 30 games with Round Rock Express, a Triple-A affiliate of the Rangers.
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The Rangers recently lost outfielder Nelson Cruz to a PED suspension, but then went out to pick Alex Rios, essentially having no reason to bring Ramirez up. Rangers GM Jon Daniels let Ramirez leave so he could pursue other interests.
Before his signing he was playing overseas in Taiwan for a few months before the Rangers reached out to him with a deal.
"It's a no-risk flyer in a lot of ways. Our history, we like giving guys second chances. We know on and off the field the good and bad of Manny's career, but we're inclined to give him an opportunity here," Daniels said initially according to FOX News.
"If he's productive and we feel he'd fit our culture here, we'll give him an opportunity. If either of those ends don't pan out, no harm, no foul," Daniels said.
Ramirez had left his team in Taiwan for the second half because he wanted to free himself up for play in the United States.
Last year Ramirez signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics, but bowed out after being suspended for drug tests.
Ramirez is a Dominican-American who made his start in the MLB in 1993 playing with the Cleveland Indians. He played with the Indians until 2000 when he signed an 8-year contract with the Boston Red Sox. He went on to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago White Sox, and the Tampa Bay Rays until he retired from the MLB in 2011 following a three-time failed drug test.
