Dodgers manager Joe Torre thinks Manny Ramirez should skip the All-Star Game even if the suspended drug abuser is voted in by the fans.

“No,” Torre said before Friday’s game. “I think if you asked Manny, he’d give you the same answer. To me, I think the significance of the All-Star Game is to reward players who have a good first half.”

We’ve seen this a million times in the past with other players missing the majority of the first half yet still being voted in and appearing at the All-Star game, so this one’s pretty simple. Should Manny get enough votes to be a starting outfielder for the National League, he should play.

The votes will mean the fans have somehow found a way to get over Manny’s obsession with Horny Goat Weed and would be delighted to see him at Busch Stadium on July 14th.

Ramirez is currently fourth among outfielders in the latest voting tallies, roughly 34,000 shy of Beltran for the third spot.

Personally, I’m with Cousin Ron on this, so make it happen.

Joe Torre on Manny as All-Star: ‘It probably isn’t the right thing’ (L.A. Times)
Vote Manny! (Josh Q. Public)