- Nov 8, 2004
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[h1]Dodgers legend isn't upset with Ramirez[/h1]
FARGO - Los Angeles Dodgers legend Maury Wills isn't upset with current Dodger Manny Ramirez for taking a substance banned by Major League Baseball.
In fact, Wills said Thursday that he understands the mindset of players that choose to take those shortcuts to keep a competitive edge.
"We glorify the stars, so everyone wants to be that star," Wills said before settling into the radio booth as a part-time analysts for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks independent baseball team. "A lot of times you are willing to go with it. Sometimes you think a guy across the field in the other dugout is doing something to enhance themselves, and he's beating you, I can't say that Maury Wills might not have done that."
Wills, 76, still teaches bunting and base stealing as a special instructor for the Dodgers.
He was named the National League MVP in 1962 after setting a single-season major league record with 104 stolen bases for Los Angeles.
Wills said he never took steroids throughout his 14-year career with the Dodgers, Pittsburgh and Montreal.
However, Wills said he isn't sure if he could have resisted the temptation to use performance-enhancing drugs had he played in the steroid-era.
"It wasn't around in my day, and I can say that I was a pure player," said Wills, who finished with 586 stolen bases. "I'm not saying that boastfully, because I don't know what I might have done. We're all products of our times."
Wills called Ramirez, who was suspended 50 games last month by Major League Baseball for using a banned substance, a good guy who made a poor choice.
"He's great in the clubhouse, he's a great inspiration to the young players, he talks to them, and he's a good individual," Wills said.
The 37-year-old Ramirez was hitting .348 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 27 games before his suspension.
He reportedly recently began working during closed sessions before games at Dodger Stadium. Ramirez is eligible to return on July 3.
"We're waiting for him to get back, hoping he gets through this and it doesn't bother him too much," Wills said. "And hopefully he's the same person when he comes back."
The Forum and The Dickinson Press are both owned by Forum Communications Co.