Baseball Won't Punish A-Rod Over Doping

(NEWSER) - Manny Ramirez has tested positive for a banned substance and will be suspended for 50 games beginning immediately, the Los Angeles Times reports. Reports have identified the substance as HCG, a drug commonly used to treat female infertility but also taken to raise testosterone levels at the end of steroid treatments. The substance is intended to boost sex drive and "is not a steroid and it is not human-growth hormone," a source told Yahoo Sports. The suspension runs through July 3 and will cost Ramirez nearly $8 million. More»

During MVP 2003 campaign

(NEWSER) - Alex Rodriguez tested positive for anabolic steroids during his 2003 MVP season, sources tell Sports Illustrated. A-Rod was one of 104 players to test positive that year, in a survey test conducted to determine whether the league needed tougher drug policies. Asked about the results this week, Rodriguez replied: “You’ll have to talk to the union. I’m not saying anything.” More»

Sourcing is questionable, writers has credibility issues

(NEWSER) - Selena Roberts’ new book makes many claims about Alex Rodriguez: He juiced in high school, tipped off opposing batters to pitches, and is even a stingy tipper. Roberts’ sourcing is scanty and anonymous, but we can trust her, a respected journalist for Sports Illustrated and formerly the New York Times, right? Wrong, writes Jason Whitlock for Fox Sports. Roberts has a demonstrated tendency to stretch the truth to suit her agenda. More»

Sources tell author slugger used in high school and after NY transfer

(NEWSER) - An explosive new book probing deep into A-Rod's career suggests the slugger has failed to fully come clean about his steroid use, the New York Daily News reports. Rodriguez insists he only used steroids as a Texas Ranger, but the book quotes sources who believe he was juicing both as a high school player and after coming to New York. More»

(NEWSER) - A man who was once a close associate of Alex Rodriguez is suspected of trafficking in steroids and has been banned from non-public areas of big-league ballparks since 2001, the New York Daily News reports. Angel Presinal, called "an unsavory character" by one source, has been close to the superstar infielder since his days with the Texas Rangers and traveled with him throughout the 2007 season. "Several people have warned Alex about this guy," said another source. More»