Pedro Martinez will be inducted in to the Baseball Hall of Fame next weekend, but it’s unlikely former teammate Manny Ramirez will join him anytime soon.
As one of the best pitchers of his era, Martinez’s induction was a no-brainer. Ramirez was one of the best hitters of his time, too, and looked to be a lock as a first-ballot Hall of Famer. However, failed steroid tests at the end of his big league career left an undeniable black mark on the slugger’s resume.
“Manny has a great attitude,” Martinez told the New York Post. “He’s very well-liked by a lot of people. He’s a great teammate. He has so many things going in his favor, but he’s going to have to carry the consequences that many more have had to carry. I don’t condone anybody doing anything bad as far as cheating the game.”
Of course, Ramirez was far from alone in performance-enhancing drug use or speculation. Martinez believes as much as 60 percent of baseball was on something during that era. With steroids seemingly running rampant during Martinez’s prime, it makes his performance on the mound all the more impressive.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Martinez told the Post. “There’s no crying.”
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports Images
