Ramirez was suspended for using a substance called HCG, which is something used as a female fertility drug but can also be utilized as a masking agent for ballplayers after finishing up a steroid cycle. While Ramirez has been a dreadlocked memory since leaving Boston at the trade deadline last July 31, the suspension and lack of appeal by Ramirez brings up a lot of troubling questions going forward.

Was Ramirez a "clean ballplayer" during his time in Boston? Is this the last name from recent Red Sox past that will be associated with possible usage of performance-enhancing drugs?

None of the questions are comfortable, and they potentially open up a Pandora's box that's been largely closed for the highly successful Sox franchise through a Mitchell Report scandal that rocked the game of baseball -- and had many hoping that the Steroid Era's embarrassing chapter in game's history was finally over.

Ramirez's former teammates don't feel Thursday's events have any bearing on the state of the team, both past and present.

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don't feel like our '07 season was tainted," third baseman Mike Lowell told the Boston Globe. "This is still a 25-man team. I think it still remains to be seen what happened in '07. I think Manny's going to be questioned a lot."

"If people stop trying to beat the system, maybe that might help, that might be a good start. I think it probably proves that our testing -- and I know everyone likes to hammer it -- is working. It's not being biased to guys in Double-A or Triple-A. It's happened to some of the biggest names of the game. I think in that sense, it's got to be a good thing."

RED SOX 13, INDIANS 3: The Red Sox broke an American League record when they piled up 12 runs before an out was recorded in the decisive sixth inning Thursday. Jason Bay launched his eighth home run of the season, and he knocked in four runs.