Quotables: Ramirez suspended 50 games

Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games Thursday following a failed drug test, a punishment that will cost him $7.65 million US in salary and, no doubt, reflect poorly on his Hall of Fame credentials. Here is some reaction from people in the know:

"He feels very badly. Right now, he is trying to gather his thoughts. The worst thing I think a person can be is a disappointment to somebody else and Manny feels like a disappointment." — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre

"This is failing more than a drug test. This is failing an IQ test. He can call an 800 number to ask about any product that he is taking. To think that a player who i making $45 million didn't do that, or have any agent or any of his numerous advisors check out what he said was a prescribed medication, defies belief." — BALCO founder and convicted steroid dealer Victor Conte

"I worked out with him at the beginning of '08 and I know his work ethic and he knows what to put into his body — the good things. It is a little shocking." — Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia

"It wouldn't surprise me if he was on steroids. It is sad to say, but that is the way I feel about it." — Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman

"It is too bad. He is one of the star players. Nothing surprises me anymore. Unfortunate." — Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox

"It is unfortunate for the game when you have big names being suspended or being punished. But I hope people realize we're doing all we can, as players and as a sport in general, to make sure we're clean." — San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy

"I think it is just sad news for the game, no doubt about it. It is just something that, you know, when I had Sega Genesis, I used to be him. It is just one of those things. What can we say? It is definitely bad news and bad news is never welcome." — Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Carlos Pena

"Another big-name guy. It is just another black eye for the game. It is hard for Major League Baseball to try to glorify guys that they think are doing it right because we don't know. We keep finding these guys and I think the message is terrible, especially for young kids who might aspire to be major-league baseball players." — Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell

"This is something regrettable because Manny is one of my favourite players and I thought his numbers — his average, his home runs and RBIs — were clean." — Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal

"When he was young, I definitely don't think he was on steroids. In some ways, I'm sad about it because I had him when he was young. He is a great talent. I look at Manny Ramirez like my son. I will wait to see exactly what it is all about." — Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel

"Hey, players know the consequences. You have the wrong decisions, you have got to pay. I'm turned off by players who try to test the system. It just doesn't make any sense. When a guy makes a decision like that, he has to live by it. There's too many people you can go to for advice, like the team doctor or the trainer, and if you have any kind of doubt at all, you have got to go to them." — Los Angeles Dodgers third-base coach Larry Bowa

"I think the fans come to the game, whatever sport it is, and they want their team to win. I don't think they're thinking about those things. I think they're interested in their team winning — in any sport, not just baseball — so quote me on that. It is not just baseball. When fans go to the park and they're cheering for their team, they're not standing up there in the seventh inning, in my opinion, thinking about whether a guy did something. I don't believe that happens." — Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland

"My reaction to Manny is not an isolated reaction. It's the same reaction I have had to all these guys: I think it is fraud. You enter a deal with a certain understanding, a certain expectation of past performance and a projection of future performance. If I enter into a deal with a player with those assumptions, it's incumbent upon them to be above board on everything and, if they're not, I think it is fraud." — White Sox general manager Ken Williams

"In terms of high-profile cases, this shows baseball is getting  more serious in terms of the testing program and that is a good thing. Also, it is regrettable that the sport does not identify substances involved in positive cases. Baseball needs to be transparent." — WADA director general David Howman

"It is a complete conspiracy. The truth has to come out." — former major-league slugger and steroid user Jose Canseco

"No comment about Manny." — Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz