Did you have a problem when Manny played for the Green Bay Packers too?

There has been such a to-do about Manny Ramirez and the fact that he is playing baseball during his 50-game suspension. Did you have a problem when Manny played for the Green Bay Packers too?

The rules states that he is suspended from MLB for 50 games. He has been. He does not get paid, he has to be out of the clubhouse a certain amount of time before the each game and he is not allowed to be in uniform or in the dugout during a game. That has all happened.

So he’s playing minor league baseball with Dodgers affiliated teams. The union collectively bargained for that right so that the player would be ready to play on the 51st day. That rule just as much of a rule as the 50 game suspension itself.

If Manny (or any other suspended player) weren’t playing minor league baseball with an affiliated team of the major league club. He could simply sign a ten day contract with an independent league team and get his work in there. The major league club wouldn’t care, they want him to be in baseball shape and the union wouldn’t care (the player could actually make some money while he isn’t getting paid.)

Manny wasn’t playing by the rules and he was called on it. He’s playing by the rules now. So shut up already.

If you were about to write a blog, news paper column or call a radio talk show about why Manny shouldn’t be playing with a minor league team, save it. You just come off as a whining little girlie-man. - Brett Wright, Macon, GA

The above post was submitted by reader Brett Wright who has an issue with girlie-men.