Jose Canseco not surprised by Ramirez suspension (and only one reporter shows up to hear about it)

Jose Canseco has spoken, but is anyone listening anymore?

The former slugger has gained credibility in some circles after naming names and detailing steroid use around professional baseball in two tell-all memoirs.

But on Thursday, after Major League Baseball suspended Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez(notes) for 50 games for violating its drug policies, Canseco spoke to a near-empty ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Only one reporter from The Associated Press, Canseco’s lawyer, a photographer and four camera crews attended the news conference. All but two of the 100 seats were empty.

It was probably fitting that Canseco was dressed all in black, given the news about Ramirez was the latest public relations mess for baseball officials. Canseco was visibly upset about being forced out of the game and can’t believe other players aren’t meeting a similar fate.

“I didn’t get a second chance, I didn’t get a fine,” Canseco said. “I didn’t get the chance these players are getting these days.”

Despite that animosity, Canseco said players have endured enough embarrassment over the steroid scandal and now it’s time to investigate what role MLB brass and the players’ association played in it.

“It’s a complete conspiracy,” Canseco said. “The truth has to come out.”

Canseco said that MLB officials, the players’ union and others profited from the success of players who used steroids, knew what was going on, and have failed to do anything about it.