Dodgers, Ely Look to Secure Series Victory

LAT’d (as they say somewhere else):

Because Belisario is foreign, and even more so because he already had trouble with the INS getting a visa due to his DUI infraction, it may be that substance abuse treatment, and thus admitting to it, is riskier for him than for others. While everyone else can apparently go on the DL and be paid his salary, it may be that Belisario (and his agent, and the team) are trying to keep it quiet and unadmitted to avoid problems with the INS, which does not exactly have the highest standards of proof as needed by the courts. If indeed it;‘s a substance abuse problem, suppose it’s not alcohol but some drug that is illegal to possess. While others, even celebrities, seem to be able to avoid prosecution and just have it treated as the illness it is, it could be that merely being charged or apprehended could be enough for the INS to withdraw a visa and deport him. And even if it is alcohol, it may be that terms of his visa or simply having come to the attention of the INS after his DUI last year, might make him, by admitting to alcoholism needing treatment, liable to come under some sort of black mark with the INS and even get deported. That could be why they are trying to keep it private, not admit it, just deal with it, and forego the salary that comes with admission and being placed on the DL.

I know no one here cares (unless black-and-blue reads TBLA, I don’t think so), but England have just lost a one-day match to Bangladesh, first time Bangladesh has ever beaten England in any form of cricket. Very tense at the end, with England having got all their batsmen out, so a guy who broke his toe earlier in the match and had to go to hospital came hobbling out, bandaged up (far more injured than Gibson here in 88), because you can’t substitute batsmen in cricket but someone else can run for you, with just 6 balls to go, 10 runs (quite feasible, but requiring some daring batting attempts), and got out with just 4 balls left, trying for a big shot. Well done, Bangladesh.

Looking at the schedules, it seems that only AAA teams observe the 3-day All Star break, but other minor leagues don’t. A+ and AA just happen to have Tuesday off between series (could be planned, or coincidence) but otherwise are playing. So Manny could have a second rehab game for Inland Empire tomorrow or Monday. I remember after the suspension he didn’t want more than one or so, but that must have had a lot to do with the publicity at the time. I sort of hope he takes a second one, he tends to come back slowly after breaks.

Theriot 2B, Colvin RF, Lee 1B, Ramirez 3B, Byrd CF, Soriano LF, Castro SS, Soto C, Gorzelanny P

Baseball has always had a substance abuse problem that extended beyond performance enhancing drugs that has been swept under the rug. It’s good to see someone trying to help himself out. This isn’t a great move for his career in the immediate short term, but I can’t help but think it is the best move for him long term, and the best move for the Dodgers who have have control over 4 more years of that long term.

When the restricted list decision was announced, I thought this was by far the most likely scenario. The speculation was all over the place, and I guess anything was possible, but Occam’s razor seemed to point toward a guy who had a history of substance abuse up to his old tricks rather than a kidnapping or whatever.

I’m a recovering addict, and making the decision to go to rehab was the hardest thing to do at the time. It’s an admission to everyone that the problem is real and can no longer be ignored. It was also the best thing I’ve ever done.

I hope for the best for Ronald. Good for him, and frankly, good for the Dodgers if they had any part in influencing him to go get his life together, even at the expense of his immediate baseball career.