Written by Dan Wismar

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Major League Baseball announced today that Manny Ramirez will retire rather than continue to deal with "an issue" related to the league's drug prevention and treatment program:

"Major League Baseball recently notified Manny Ramirez of an issue under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," the statement said. "Rather than continue with the process under the Program, Ramirez has informed MLB that he is retiring as an active player. If Ramirez seeks reinstatement in the future, the process under the Drug Program will be completed. MLB will not have any further comment on this matter."

Sorry to see it end this way for one of the great natural hitters the game has ever seen.