Nearly two full months now into the 2009 baseball season, one infamous San Francisco Giant and one infamous ex-Giant are among the National League's most surprising players. Richard takes a look at Barry Zito and Pedro Feliz and can't help but ask, "Who are these guys?"

A surprising number of commentators think the Astros signing Ivan Rodriguez as their catcher was a good thing. Asher thought it would be so universally accepted as a bad move that he didn't even comment on it at the time. Not only is I-Rod no longer a major league contributor on the field, in Asher's opinion, but his keeping J.R. Towles in the minors for 2009 may even make him the inaugural winner of an award named after a former Astro.

It would be a shame if I-Rod's legacy went from "bringing winning ways with him wherever he goes" to "the veteran player who most hurts his team by hanging on too long when he should have retired" simply because he kept playing past his prime. But perhaps we should ask ourselves whether Pudge deserves all the credit he gets for the wins he seems to bring to his team. Keith examines the Legacy of Ivan Rodriguez and is a little surprised by what he discovers.

May 7, 2009 - And then there were none . . . According to reports just out, what seemed to be the last 1990s era superstar untainted by the performance enhancement drug scandal has now been dragged down. Reports all over the internet are saying that Ramirez has tested positive for a banned substance and will be suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball. Manny is expected to blame a drug prescribed by a doctor.

Three thoughts - 1) Now all the heroes are gone; 2) Nothing can be believed any more; and 3) Boston Red Sox fans will now commence to being unsufferable.

Manny issued the following statement:

"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. "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. I want to apologize to [Dodgers owner Frank] McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, [manager Joe] Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans. LA is a special place to me and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I'm sorry about this whole situation."

After consultation with the Players' Association and his personal representatives, Ramirez waived his right to challenge the suspension. Doesn't exactly sound like a guy who is outraged that his legacy has been tainted by something he didn't know was illegal.