Cheers To The Weekend; Updates On Manny Ramirez, Jay Z, Maverick Carter & Gloria James

Ready for the weekend? Me too! Here’s your weekend link to some of the stories from around the net as we say cheers to the weekend:

• Baseball slugger Manny Ramirez has decided to retire from baseball under somewhat murky circumstances. The Tampa Bay Rays were informed today by the Commissioner’s Office that Manny Ramirez has decided to retire after being informed of an issue under the Drug Program. Yeah, when Manny was with the Dodgers I remember him being suspended 50 games for something seemingly similar. Oh well, see ya!

• Although it seems forever ago but, it was just last weekend we saw Jay Z in the UK locker room after the Wildcats clinched a final four appearance. Looks like Jay and the Nets will be fined $50,000 for the visit.

• Jason Whitlock of FoxSports.com has a piece on the President of the LeBron James Brand, Maverick Carter (ok, that’s not his real title but that about sums it up. Ok? OK!) Jason goes into Maverick’s background as well as details some of the businesses that Maverick has spearheaded LeBron’s involvement in including, the recently announced deal with Liverpool FC and an energy supplement strip (think of Listerine breath strips) for athletes that also includes Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire and Rapper Drake as investors.

• And finally, a lot of video footage of Gloria James has surfaced since her arrest early Thursday morning. Ok, not “a lot” but,  footage of her being booked after the arrest as well as an old video from a King James’ high school game in 2002 where she rushed the court after an opposing team’s player gave Lebron a hard foul.

Now if you’re over 21, go have an adult beverage to kick off your weekend and don’t forget to check back tomorrow for more Jock updates!