The Return of Manny

As exciting as the frenzy of NBA free agency has been, I am putting that on hold till all the contracts become final on July 8th. Instead I am focusing on something more disturbing, the return of Manny to the Dodgers.

It has been the lead on SportsCenter all week long and frankly it makes me upset. Manny was suspended for steroids and yet he is being talked as the savior for the Dodgers World Series hopes. It would be different if he was returning from injury but he was suspended for taking performance enhancing drugs! He should be treated as a cheater not as a savior. For all the outrage over PEDs in the recent years, Manny seems to be getting a free pass. Bonds was rejected by all fans outside the San Fransisco area, Clemens is seen as a criminal, and A-Rod was ripped apart by every media outlet. Yet Manny does not seem to be getting any of this treatment.

I think one reason for this treatment was the suspension. Manny is the first superstar to actually be suspended for 50 games. There is a feeling that he did his time and now should be treated like a regular player. I just do not agree with this sentiment at all. He cheated and got caught this makes him a black sheep in the league and should be treated as such. Players should treat him differently in the locker room and the media should not put up with him avoiding questions about steroids.

If Manny continues to get a free pass then where is the real motivation to avoid PEDs. Yes you will miss 50 games games but if you are a valuable asset to your team you will return to hero's welcome when you get back. It is time for players, coaches, media and fans to treat Manny the way he should be treated, as a cheater who got caught and forever tainted his legacy. If not then the PED problem in baseball will never truly be fixed.