(Site note: to read the judge’s intro to this debate, click here. Read Bleacher Fan’s argument in favor of Manny’s inclusion in the game here. To read Loyal Homer’s argument about Manny being banned from the All-Star game should he be voted in, click here.)
There’s no disputing the fact that Manny Ramirez has been one of the best players in baseball over the past 15 years. First he played for the Cleveland Indians, and then with the Boston Red Sox, and now with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Love him or hate him, he is one of the big “names” in baseball. That is why he currently sits at fourth in voting for NL outfielders for the All-Star game next month (updated totals will be released Tuesday). I’m not a Manny hater. I don’t like the fact that he fails hustle… all the time. I don’t like the fact that he often plays lackadaisical defense. But, I feel he is good for the game. I feel that the Red Sox don’t have that “buzz” factor, in part, because Manny is no longer part of the team. However, despite being one of the biggest attractions for MLB, he has absolutely no business playing in the All-Star game.
Bleacher Fan states in his argument that Manny would have the right to be a starter in the game if the fans vote him in. Whether or not the fans should have the right to vote in the starters is another issue to perhaps be debated on this very website. If he is voted in, something will need to be done, either by Bud Selig or by Manny himself.
Just this past weekend, his own manager, Joe Torre, one of the most respected guys ever to be associated with baseball, says that Manny probably shouldn’t play in the game. He said that Manny would probably be the first one to say he shouldn’t play. Manny (yes, I’m aware that I’m referring to him on a first name basis… because that’s what everyone knows him as) hasn’t commented publicly on this situation so we have no way of knowing how he really feels on the situation. But, his own team isn’t even campaigning for him.
What it boils down to, folks, is the age old moral question of right versus wrong. Manny was suspended for 50 games for breaking the rules. His suspension ends right before the All-Star game so thus, he will be eligible to play. But folks, he broke the rules, and he has essentially admitted that he broke the rules. This is different than Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds in the fact that Manny tested positive WHEN the rules were in place. Manny didn’t put up much of a fight to contest the suspension, did he? He actually apologized to his teammates!
Bleacher Fan breaks down Sports Geek’s question of “…does he have a legitimate right to play in the game?” At this point, there is nothing LEGITIMATE about Manny and any rights he does or doesn’t have. He cheated. Love him or not, he broke the rules.
If Manny plays, then a few vote-happy baseball fans are basically spitting on the rules of the game. All of the public outcry that has been heard for the past few years about wanting to clean the game up would have all been for nothing. All of the fuss would have been a sham.
America, if you vote him in, you are being hypocritical. As someone who truly cares about the game of baseball and the integrity of the game, don’t vote for Manny Ramirez!!!
By taking this side, you are saying that 50 games are not enough. Even worse than the suspension, he has had to witness the demolition of Mannywood. How much can one man take?
Ironic, that whether or not Manny plays, most fans and players will ride Mark McGwire Highway en route to the game.
[...] as I predicted, Loyal Homer wants to talk about whether or not Manny should play in the game, as opposed to whether or not he has a right to play in the game (which was the actual [...]