Black- and Whitelist » Michael has trouble

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Manny Ramirez is apparently cutting his long dreadlocks for another shot at the major leagues. The Texas Rangers said Wednesday they had agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the 41-year-old slugger, who hasnt played in the big leagues since 2011 with Tampa Bay. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said part of the deal was Ramirez, twice suspended for testing positive for banned drugs, agreeing to cut his hair and "comply with our minor league rules on appearance and discipline." Ramirez was set to report to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, and he will be a designated hitter whenever he is activated. He played for three months in Taiwan before leaving the Rhinos on June 20. "Its kind of a no-risk flier," said Daniels, indicating there was no time frame for him to be called up to the majors. "We like giving guys second chances. We know on and off the field the good and bad in Mannys career. But were inclined to give him an opportunity here." Ramirez hit .352 with eight homers and 43 RBIs for the Rhinos. The team tried to keep the 12-time All-Star, but he wanted to return to his family in New York. Ramirez was suspended for 50 games in 2009 while with the Los Angeles Dodgers after testing positive for a banned drug. He retired in April 2011 instead of serving a 100-game ban for a second positive test while with Tampa Bay, but later agreed to a reduced 50-game suspension and played in the minors for Oakland in 2012. A lifetime .312 hitter, Ramirez is 14th on the career home runs list with 555. The Rangers didnt see Ramirez play in Taiwan, nor were they among the teams that worked him out in Florida recently, Daniels said. The Rangers GM said Ramirez was looking for an opportunity either in the U.S. or Japan. "Were really just kind of going off the resume here a little bit," Daniels said. "If hes productive and we feel he fits our culture here in the clubhouse, well give him an opportunity. If either of those ends dont pan out, then kind of no harm, no foul." Ramirez won two World Series with Boston, including 2007 when Rangers hitting coach Dave Magadan was in his first year in that job with the Red Sox. But he had a stormy end when he forced his way out of Boston in a trade a year later, a point that Magadan made to Daniels when they discussed Ramirez. "There were some bridges that were burned in Boston," Magadan said. "It was unfortunate the way it ended up there because he did a lot of good things while he was there. But in the end it wasnt pretty." Ramirez hit 17 homers in the final 53 games of 2008 after the trade to Los Angeles, but he has just 28 since then because of injuries and the suspensions. He was 1 for 17 without a homer with Tampa when the second drug suspension hit two years ago. "I think its a guy who loves the game and just wants to continue to play," New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before Wednesdays game in Minnesota. "You dont ever want to feel like you took your uniform off sooner than you shouldve. So good for him." The Rangers entered their game against Seattle without a home run in four straight games, their longest streak in more than two years. They need a right-handed power bat with switch-hitter Lance Berkman struggling through a knee injury and hitting just .198 in his past 25 games. "I havent really seen him on video, just a couple of highlights Ive seen from some of his home runs in Taiwan," Magadan said. "Well see how it goes when he gets to Round Rock and see what kind of shape hes in and see if he can still swing it." He apparently wont be swinging any dreadlocks, though. Wholesale Nets Jerseys . - Ronda Rousey realizes shes finishing up one of the biggest years for any fighter in the young history of mixed martial arts at UFC 168, and the UFCs bantamweight champion intends to go out on top. Brooklyn Nets Pro Shop . 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I thought it might be interesting to see what the D-backs have done over their 16 years compared to what the Blue Jays have done over their past 16 campaigns.Its Judgement Night on Thursday which means only one player out of struggling trio Michael Smith, Dave Chisnall and Robert Thornton will survive. Sky Live: PL Darts Your one-stop preview to Judgement Night And while two men will crash out of the Premier League, another battle resumes at the top of the table. Michael van Gerwen is playing Raymond van Barneveld in a mouth-watering all-Dutch dust-up - and Wayne has got some brave things to say about that match!Without further ado, heres Mardles predictions... James Wade v Gary AndersonWayne said: This isnt a tough one to call! Anderson is playing beautifully. Hes up there with Taylor and Van Gerwen - theyre the best three players in the world by some way. Theyre the most consistent. When they have a chance to win, they win. I cant believe Im saying this about Anderson who found a way to lose for 15 years! Gary Anderson made it six wins in a row in the Premier League after beating Dave Chisnall Wade is coming in untested [after a weeks break], players have gained on him. It happened to us, back in the day. I was usually bottom and youd leave one point adrift, then come back two weeks later three points adrift! You have a week off and cant do anything about it.Prediction: James can beat anyone, we know that, but hell have to score very well. Hes made a living from 101 finishes. Its a tight game but Anderson will win 7-5. (Anderson 9/2 with Sky Bet to win 7-5)Michael Smith v Phil TaylorWayne said: Not making the cut in the Premier League is horrible. Its basically saying that youre in the bottom two over nine weeks. Youve underperformed, youve underachieved, youve not won as many games as you should. Its a slant on your ability, but you cant look at it like that. Phil Taylor hit an impressive 141 checkout during his match with Peter Wright Gary Anderson has finished bottom of the Premier League. But he believed in his ability - Smith is a young man and I hope, if he gets eliminated, that it doesnt dent his confidence.Prediction: I think Taylor wins this game. Smith has to be worried about elimination, its looming large. (Taylor 2/7 with Sky Bet to win)Dave Chisnall v Peter WrightWayne said: Wright will have taken confidence from the fact he played so well at the European Tour event at the weekend. Chizzy played decent enough in it, but hasnt in the Premier League.Chizzys scoring has been fine, but his combination shots have been really poor in some weeks. Hes got to put away the 58 and 64 finishes. Thats what he continues to miss. Will Peter Wright give anybody a kiss? Wright, at the moment, is playing far better and more consistently.dddddddddddd Chisnall has to get something from this game otherwise he will be eliminated, but it doesnt help going on first because hell still have uncertainty.Prediction: I think Wright wins this, and I think Chizzy will be hesitant most of the way through. I think Wright wins comfortably, maybe 7-3. (Wright 9/2 with Sky Bet to win 7-3)Robert Thornton v Adrian LewisWayne said: Adrian very, very rarely annihilates people. He does, obviously, but not as often as he should. Hes miles better than his Premier League reads, which is terrible. Things got tight in the final leg of the match between Adrian Lewis and James Wade. Watch what happened here When Lewis plays well he beats people, but he has a struggle winning when hes not on his A-game. Robert will play with more freedom than he has done.Prediction: I fancy the draw. Robert may have nothing to play for because he may already be safe, or hell have to grind it out - he wont mind either way. (Draw 9/2 with Sky Bet)Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van GerwenWayne said: I said last week that Im never, ever going to back against Van Gerwen. Im going to say something now that is contentious, but I dont care! Michaels form has tailed off. I think Michael has reached the point where he finds the game so easy that he is coasting to victory. But when asked a question during a game, hes not always finding an answer. Raymond van Barneveld finished on the bullseye for this superb 161 checkout against Dave Chisnall Last week for instance, he couldnt find the answer against Thornton. You do not want to be playing Barney if youre not on top form. Holland make such a big thing of this match, and I think Michael has trouble beating Taylor and Van Barneveld. They are the two players he struggles against. Why dont the bookmakers learn?Prediction: I think Barney wins this game! Im going for a 7-4 win for Barney. (Barney 22/1 with Sky Bet to win 7-4)Watch Premier League Darts Judgement Night on Thursday at 7pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD. Or watch live without a contract for £6.99, on NOW TV. Also See: Fixtures/Results On Sky TV Prem Table Darts betting Get Sky Sports ' ' '