Major League Baseball

Manny: 'I don't want to be a distraction'

Published Jun. 11, 2009 12:52 a.m. ET

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Manny Ramirez broke his silence Tuesday, but that doesn't mean he's talking about his 50-game suspension.




Speaking to reporters for the first time since being suspended for violating Major League Baseball's substance abuse policy, the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger spoke with a handful of reporters about the future.

"That's in the past," Ramirez said, according to a report on the Los Angeles Times' Web site. "Whatever happened, that's in the past and I'm coming to play my game and move on. I don't want to be a distraction for this team.

"I didn't kill nobody, I didn't rape nobody, so that's it. I'm just going to come and play the game."

The comments came after Ramirez worked out at Dodger Stadium. He has been doing drills at the ballpark in anticipation of his return, but he leaves before the public gates open in compliance with the rules of his suspension.

Ramirez also visited with his teammates and talked to manager Joe Torre before the Dodgers' game against San Diego on Tuesday night. Ramirez's first contact with his teammates came during a road trip in mid-May while the team was playing the Florida Marlins not far from his home.

Asked about the rules in place during his suspension, Ramirez said, "It's not fun because you want to play, you want to win, you want to help your team, but it is what it is."

While he admits he'll "probably need" some time in the minor leagues before returning to the squad, Ramirez is ready to return.

"It's going to be fun, it's going to be crazy," he said. "I love it, I'm looking forward to it. I'll be ready to go."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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