Manny Ramirez Gets Desperate, Promises To Be A ‘Role Model’ If Given The Chance To Play

Manny Ramirez failed the MLB’s drug testing policy not one but two times and then walked away from the game after being handed a 100-game suspension and now he seems almost desperate to come back after promising to be a “role model” if any team in the MLB will give him another chance during Spring training.

With his ban now cut down to just 50 games Ramirez has filed for reinstatement and tells ESPN’s Pedro Gomez:

“I want to show people that Manny can change, that he can do the right thing. And to show people that I still can play. I don’t want to leave the game like I did. I also want to show my kids that if you make a mistake, don’t quit. Just go back and fix it. And if you’re going to leave, leave the right way.”

To prepare for a potential comeback Ramirez has been working out in Florida where he takes practice swings in a batting cage and then works on his stamina at a local pool.

Speaking of his want to become a role model Ramirez notes:

“A bunch of guys are going to look at me and say hey, this guy made a mistake but he didn’t quit. Look how he finished. He did the right thing and came back.”

An 18-year-veteran of Major League Baseball Manny has spent time with the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. During his career Manny Ramirez has hit for 555 home runs and 1,831 RBIs with a career hitting average of .312.

Do you think Manny Ramirez can still be an effective player after taking time away from the game and weening himself off performance enhancing drugs?