Friday was a tough day for Boston fans, as we dealt with the possibility that beloved former Sox star Hanley Ramirez was involved in a combined federal and state investigation into a Massachusetts drug ring. No one ever wants to see their heroes fall from grace, especially in such a terrible way.
Today, I’m relieved to report that the only thing Hanley is guilty of is having some bad friends.
I heard a lot of different things over the weekend, but here’s what really happened*:
A “friend” of Hanley’s was pulled over by state police after they were tipped off by a confidential informant. In an attempt to avoid being arrested for possession of fentanyl and cocaine, the suspect then told police he was “traveling to Boston to see a friend who is a pro-baseball player.”
When the cops searched his vehicle, the man said that a cardboard box in the back belonged to Hanley Ramirez, and that his mother had sent it to him to deliver to the Red Sox first baseman.
The man then Facetimed Hanley, who said he was not aware of any box or that his “friend” was even coming to visit him. At the time, Hanley and the Red Sox were in Florida playing the Tampa Bay Rays. Hanley told the cop over Facetime that he could open the box, which contained a bag with fentanyl in it, at which point, the suspect changed his story completely and claimed that Hanley was not involved at all and the box was not for him.
This development comes as a huge relief. Hanley may be missed, but at least he’s not a criminal. Like many people who become famous, he’s a victim of being used by his so-called friends for their own personal gain. It’s sad, but not surprising in the least. Hopefully, another team will sign him now, so he can continue his career. And hopefully, he’ll be careful about who he calls a “friend.” This guy right here seems like a better choice:
PS: I still think the Red Sox claim that they didn’t know anything about the situation is utter bull. He was on the road with them at the time, and they told him of their decision to DFA him at something like 3 AM at the end of the trip. At the very least, the Red Sox definitely dropped him from the team for money reasons, and not, as they claim, for “baseball reasons,” but hey, anything is better than DFA-ing him so he can go to prison for drugs.
*Originally reported by the Boston Globe
Photos: Google
