The 2009 MLB All Star Game will be held on July 14th in St. Louis at Busch Stadium, and Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez just might be in the starting lineup for the National League. Seems crazy right? Well at this point Manny's name is still on All Star ballots across the country at every Major League park, and there is a good chance that his uncanny popularity will land him the fan's vote into the starting lineup.

For those of you who live under a rock, Ramirez was suspended last week for 50 games for taking a banned substance.

Frankly, I find it to be a flat out disgrace that Major League Baseball has not already removed Manny from contention for the All Star game. How bad will that look for the game if a guy suspended for 50 games in the first half of the season is standing out in left field as a starter representing the National League in what is supposed to be a celebration of the game's best players. Just another reason why I think Bud Selig is a total fraud. Forgive me for me being so crass, but this charade has gone on long enough with players being found guilty of the use of banned substances. The game has been tarnished and something must be done.

Look I am not naive. I am aware that Manny is just one of a laundry list of players who have been found guilty. Let's face it, if you run down the All Time Home Run Leaders List you will find nothing but cheaters. There is Manny, there is A-Rod (or A-Fraud if you must), there is Palmeiro, there is McGuire, there is Sosa, and oh that guy Bonds too.

So basically of the Top 17 All Time Homerun Leaders in the game, SIX of the guys have been found guilty of taking a banned substance. I am not here to debate whether or not the record books should be re-written. To be honest there was a slew of pitchers who cheated as well, and just because you take a banned substance, it doesn't mean you can hit homeruns. These guys are no doubt talented. My main issue is with the league allowing Manny to be eligible to represent the National League in an All Star Game.

As a little kid growing up, being selected to an All Star game was something I looked forward to every summer. The chance to showcase my talents and compete against my friends and rivals from other towns, districts and states was something I longed to be a part of. I still remember getting butterflies in my stomach when the head coach would call my house and ask to speak to me to break the news. And each and every year I got selected, I thought of it as an honor.

So why should Manny Ramirez be honored? What kind of message is this sending kids? Baseball has shouted from the rooftops how they don't want kids taking steroids and HGH, yet they have the gaul to sit here and allow a guy who is suspended for 50 games, to be eligible? Surely the league isn't going to re-print the All Star ballots, and I don't expect them to. But what I do expect is for them to come out and hold a press conference issuing a formal statement by which they declare Manny and any other player who takes a banned substance ineligible for any All Star type activity. Yes that includes the homerun derby too. It is disheartening to think that this guy would take the spot of a player who might be having the best start of his career but won't get a chance to play in this game because a guy like Manny is taking up a spot.

Let me be clear, this is by no means a Manny Ramirez bashing, even if that is what it appears. I happen to think Manny is one of the best pure (maybe pure is the wrong word now) hitters to ever play the game. What Manny did for the Dodgers last year in the playoffs was just amazing. Everytime this guy steps to the plate he has the ability to change the game. And trust me I know it isn't solely attributed to banned substances. I found it interesting to hear Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge come out and say he feels like he was cheated in facing Manny knowing that he has failed a drug test. Simmer down Brad you won the World Series, but I get your drift. And I am sure the hitters your teammate J.C. Romero faced felt cheated also, or did you forget he hasn't thrown one pitch this season because he is serving his 50 game suspension? Didn't your mother ever tell you people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones?

Like I said before I know that the list of guys who have been found guilty doesn't just include hitters, but clearly more attention has been given to those guys given they are the ones who are breaking records and re-writing history. Selig has screwed up so many times in managing America's Favorite pastime that it is actually a sin. As a fan I finally want this guy to stand up and do something right. Do something to show the kids that cheating won't be tolerated and that players who have taken banned substances won't get a chance to represent the game in what is supposed to be a celebration.

Maybe it touches just one youngster who thinks about taking a drug to give himself an edge. And that one youngster will be far better off.

Sorry Manny but let's face it you don't give a rats ass about the All Star Game anyway.