The Manny Ramirez Effect

These days, opinions are like Twitter accounts—everybody’s got one. Sometimes life is too short to waste it looking at 140 tweet-limit characters on certain subjects. But then there’s the story of Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez, and how his 50-day steroids suspension by Major League Baseball could affect the San Diego Padres.

Ramirez was caught with a banned substance in his urine sample. He claims it was an honest mistake, but the circumstantial evidence seems insurmountable.

First, humble pie. To date, I’d found a way in every discussion of the Padres fall from first-place grace to mention what an error it was for them to not have sought to acquire Ramirez last year. The Dodgers got him for a steal from the Boston Red Sox. It seemed like a no-brainer. But the Padres front office closed its pocket book last year and it’s still collecting dust; the National League West-leading Dodgers opened theirs for Man Ram. The Blue Boys made last year’s post-season, and are now leading the National League West. But, oops, the guy with the baggy pants and dreadlocks won’t be jammin’ for the better part of two months.

Which brings us to Padres ace Jake Peavy. It’s been well documented that if the team tanks early, front line players will be on the trading block. That sucks, but so goes the business of baseball. What crosses the line, however, is the idea of trading Peavy to the…Dodgers. Ugh. Had to close my eyes and type that. Padres general manager Kevin Towers is on record saying it could be a possibility. And the Dodgers have extra loot they don’t have to pay the suspended Ramirez.

It’s one thing for a team to commit to a rebuilding season. It’s quite another to fold up shop and give away the store to your division rival. It was bad enough the Padres donated Greg Maddux to the Dodgers last year. There’s no deal imaginable that would justify giving L.A. the use of Peavy’s right arm. Would the Hatfields send a rifleman to the McCoys? Would poker player Annie Duke cede a Texas Hold-Em hand to “Celebrity Apprentice” combatant Joan Rivers? Would you use the last tank of gas to mow your neighbor’s lawn instead of your own?

This is not going to be pretty, people. Does anybody remember how long the Red Sox were cursed after their owner sold Babe Ruth to the inter-division enemy Yankees?

Ron Donoho, formerly executive editor of "San Diego Magazine," is a regular contributor to NBCSandiego.com who covers local news, sports, culture and happy hours.