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PSYCHOcatholic

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I always say that you can't really choose your favourite team... it's more or less inherited...

my favourite team is the FC Hansa - and currently it seems (knock on wood) that we're not going to be relegated from the second division this season :rockon:

of course I can get enthusiastic for other teams as well - not for all though ;)

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I also agree but for me I guess I sort of adopted ManU since I wasn't born in or near Manchester, my immediate family aren't really football fans and the only people in my family who are would be my German relatives who support VfB Stuttgart and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

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ManU vs Barça, eh? :sleepy:

funny, I like this result more than the alternative:

"ManU vs Chelsea... again, eh? :rolleyes: "

of course it's perfectly natural that you'd feel differently about that, but any European cup match between two teams of the same country (even more so if it's in the last stages) is bound to be less exciting for me :P

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Ramirez suspended 50 games for drug violation

By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer

4 minutes ago

Buzz up!265 votes Print

FILE - In this April 18, 2009 …

AP - May 7, 12:27 pm EDT

FILE - In this March 23, 2009 …

AP - May 7, 12:27 pm EDT 1 of 2 MLB Gallery NEW YORK (AP)—Manny Ramirez(notes) was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball on Thursday, becoming the latest high-profile player ensnared in the sport’s drug scandals.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star said he did not take steroids and was prescribed medication by a doctor that contained a banned substance. The commissioner’s office didn’t announce the specific violation by the 36-year-old outfielder, who apologized to the Dodgers and fans for “this whole situation.â€

“Recently, I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me,†Ramirez said in a statement issued by the players’ union.

“Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing; I’ve taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons.â€

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The suspension began Thursday and barring any postponements Ramriez will be able to return to the Dodgers—who now have the best record in baseball—for the July 3 game at San Diego. Ramirez will lose about $7.65 million of his $25 million salary.

While Barry Bonds(notes), Roger Clemens(notes), Alex Rodriguez(notes), Jose Canseco and a long list of stars have been implicated in the use of performance-enhancing drugs, Ramirez is the most prominent suspended under the drug policy players and owners put in place seven years ago.

In February, Rodriguez admitted taking steroids while playing for Texas from 2001-03. But testing with penalties didn’t begin until 2004, and the New York Yankees third baseman doesn’t appear likely to be suspended.

The players’ association said Ramirez was suspended by the commissioner under the “just cause†provision of section 8.G.2 of the joint drug agreement. That allows players to be penalized for use, sale or distribution of banned substances, even where the agreement doesn’t specify a particular penalty, such as for a positive test.

In his statement, Ramirez addressed Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt, and manager Joe Torre.

“I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans,†Ramirez said. “LA is a special place to me, and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I’m sorry about this whole situation.â€

His suspension was first reported by the Los Angeles Times on its Web site.

Ramirez became the third player suspended this year under the major league program, following Philadelphia reliever J.C. Romero(notes) and Yankees pitcher Sergio Mitre(notes).

Just two relatively low-profile players were suspended under the major league program last year, San Francisco catcher Elizier Alfonzo and Colorado catcher Humberto Coto.

In the past, the best-known player penalized was Baltimore’s Rafael Palmeiro, who received a 10-day suspension in 2005, the first year of penalties for first infractions.

Ramirez was acquired by Los Angeles from Boston last July 31 and became a fan favorite. His contract negotiations became a long-running drama during the offseason, and he agreed in early March—well after the start of spring training—to a $45 million, two-year contract that gives him the right to void the second season and become a free agent again.

Los Angeles even renamed a section of seats in left field at Dodger Stadium “Mannywood†in his honor.

:afro: :afro: :afro: :o:o

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