ILLEGAL TESTS OR ILLEGAL DRUGS?

With all of the news on baseball players taking steroids, a new twist has been added. According to CNN, "A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that federal investigators' seizure of drug-test results of more than 90 major league baseball players five years ago was illegal."

Apparently, at the time the drug tests were taken, only ten players were supposed to be drug tested; instead 104 baseball players took the drug test. Now the drama gets even more intensified. Players that shouldn't have been outed, like A-Rod, Ramirez, Ortiz, etc. weren't even supposed to be tested, and if they were, the MLB will not want to release that information.

"The Major League Baseball Players Association sued for the return of the seized results, while the government argued investigators should be able to use them since they were "in plain sight" along with the other results during the search."

I'm going with the government on this one. Understandably, if I was one of those ball players that was outed about taking steroids, I obviously wouldn't want the world to know, especially if the results of that test were supposed to be kept secret. Yes, now that it is deemed illegal, this steroid use cannot really be held against players like the ones I mentioned above. To make an analogy, it's like a cop retaining evidence against a serial killer, but getting that evidence illegally. So the cop can't exactly come out and say, "Hey, he did it!" even if there is evidence. And that is what is happening here. But at the same time, now that this information has been revealed, the government, or the MLB should take more steps to test ALL of their players, or to make some sort of rules against steroids, and actually stick with an appropriate punishment.

The steroids controversy has long been waging between the different sides: those who think steroids increases the watch-ability of baseball versus those who think all players who use steroids should be stripped of their jobs and never be let into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Personally, I could go either way. But the commissioner of baseball should settle everything as soon as possible and either deem steroid use okay or condemnable. Those in charge of baseball seem like chickens with their heads cut off. They need to make a decision so that all of this drama can go away. But they choose to let the drama continue.

The one thought that comes to my mind though, when reading this article, is now what? So because these tests are deemed illegal, it's okay for players to take steroids? Does all of the hoopla about steroids that affected A-Rod, Ramirez, and Ortiz die away? Do we just say: "Oh, they screwed up and showed us results that they weren't supposed to, so everything is now okay?" Are these players now thinking, "Oh great! Now I'm off the hook?" Will fans think, "Oh my favorite player is okay because the results were illegal so the whole point of the test is invalid." I think that until the MLB gets it's things together on this issue, the steroids debacle will continue to cause drama for all.

Jaclyn Kahn

'I'M BACK': MANNY RETURNS TO DODGERS

After four months of negotiations, the deal that everyone has been talking about finally got done Wednesday as Manny Ramirez signed a 2-year $45 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. A press conference was held Thursday at the Dodgers spring training facility in Glendale, AZ and the key members of the front office as well as Joe Torre were all smiles.

"I'm happy to be back," Ramirez said. "Like I told Joe, we got some unfinished business. I'm here to play the game like I did last year...That's what you guys are going to get from me."

Ramirez was aquired during the second half of last season and had an immediate impact on the club. He hit .396 with 17 HR and 53 RBI in just 53 games with the Dodgers and helped lead his team all the way to the NLCS. His separation from Boston was a popular story as well, because teammates were starting to get annoyed with him. It appeared at times he wasn't playing that hard and his numbers showed. However, once he got to Los Angeles, it was a totally different Manny. The fans loved him and almost became obssessed with his likeable character.

"That emotional bond (with fans) was tremendous and I think that's what you're always looking for in sports," Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said. "Manny can bring joy and happiness to people in LA."

McCourt also pointed out that Ramirez's contributions are going beyond the baseball diamond. After signing this deal, Ramirez agreed to donate $1 million to a Los Angeles charity in which baseball fields are built for children. McCourt also said if Ramirez wants to, there's the chance to build a field in the Dominican Republic as well.

"I told Manny in our conversations that we are going to put a provision in every player contract, as long as I'm the [owner] of the franchise, called the Ramirez provision," McCourt said. "Every contract will have a Ramirez provision with a blank line and it will be up to the player to fill in how much he is going to give to the community in which he plays."

Manager Joe Torre spoke to the media as well, and he was very pleased to have Ramirez come back to the Dodgers. The former Red Sox star was somebody Torre always had to worry about when he was manager of the New York Yankees. Now, the 68 year-old-manager can continue to pencil him into his own lineup.

"To have a player that I tried to find a way to get out for eight years be on your ballclub for his first full year is pretty special," said Torre, who also jokingly added,"Of course the hair is another situation."

It was a very relaxing and laid-back atmosphere at the press conference, despite just having a grueling four-month negotiation. The first thing that Ramirez said standing up at the podium as he gazed out at the reporters was "I'm Baaack."

It was just Manny being Manny.

Shawn Marosek

MANNY HAS LOST HIS MIND

When Manny Ramirez was on the Boston Red Sox, I was definitely a fan. He can hit, he can catch (when he wanted), and he sure knew how to taunt the opposing team as he watched home runs or jogged around the bases. But now that he is no longer on the Red Sox, my appreciation for him has definitely faltered. First and foremost, Manny didn't play his best because he didn't want to be in Boston. So now he's not in Boston (which is a whole other story to rant about. Why wouldn't Manny want to be in Boston? His good friend Ortiz was there, he was a huge star, and he definitely saw many playoffs and two World Series).

Last year he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he seemed to single-handedly take the team from last place in their division, to the playoffs, even though they didn't make it very far. Now, he's a free agent and all Manny wants is money. And once you hear what he turned down, you will agree that he has officially lost his mind.

The Dodgers offered (a second offer now) Manny $25 million for one season. ONE SEASON. And he turns them down. I don't know how much he was getting paid in Boston or before on the Dodgers but that is a whole lot of money. You don't even play all year! You play what, 9 months? I'd take it. But Manny lost his mind. Manny isn't very young anymore, and eventually his star status will disappear, giving way for up and coming players to hit the spotlight. I know he's holding out for more money, but how much is going to be the right number? Is he expecting an amount similar to the one paid to A-Rod? Manny needs to take what he can get, because fewer and fewer teams are interested in his baseball abilities, and wary of his antics.

The latest buzz is that the San Francisco Giants are thinking about making Manny an offer. But thinking is not actually offering so right now, Manny doesn't play for anyone. Unless the Giants want a second Barry Bonds right away, they might decide to wait on Manny (that and might need to resupply with their steroids stock). I really think that if Manny holds out too long, he will not be seen playing professional baseball in the US anytime soon.

Jaclyn Kahn