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Manny seeks return to major leagues
UPDATED DEC 4, 2011 2:45 PM ET
DALLAS
On the same weekend Pedro Martinez announced his intention to retire, one of
his most colorful and controversial teammates has decided to make a comeback.
Manny Ramirez, who retired in April following a second violation of Major
League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, plans to
resume his playing career, a major league source told FOXSports.com.
Ramirez has hired Barry Praver and Scott Shapiro as his agents and has
applied for reinstatement from MLB’s voluntary retired list, the source said.
Ramirez, 39, will be eligible to play again after serving a 50-game
suspension under baseball’s drug testing program. He appeared in five games
with the Tampa Bay Rays this year, going 1 for 17 with zero extra-base hits.
Ramirez, who hasn’t played organized baseball in eight months, was arrested
in Broward County, Fla., in September and charged with domestic battery.
Ramirez’s use of banned substances, which came to light late in his career,
sullied what once appeared to be certain Hall of Fame credentials. He was the
2004 World Series MVP, made 12 All-Star teams and hit 555 home runs in a
19-year career.