CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs want Manny Ramirez to mentor their minor leaguers at the very end of a colorful career that includes two World Series titles and a pair of suspensions for positive drug tests. Ramirez signed a minor league deal with the Cubs on Sunday and will be a player-coach at Triple-A Iowa after he gets some at-bats in extended spring training at the teams facility in Mesa, Arizona. The 41-year-old Ramirez is a .312 hitter with 555 home runs in 2,302 games covering 19 major league seasons. Seven of those were in Boston, where Cubs executive Theo Epstein was the general manager of two Red Sox clubs that won it all with Ramirez playing a key role and earning a World Series MVP award. "While Manny is not and will not be a fit on the Cubs major league roster, we do think at this stage of his life hes a nice fit as a mentor for some of the young talented hitters we have in the organization," Epstein said in a statement. "Manny will coach full-time and play part-time in a limited role that does not take at-bats away from our prospects. "If he shows there is still some magic in his bat, perhaps he will find his way to the major leagues and help another team, but that is not why he is here. We are thrilled that he wants to work with our young hitters and make a difference." Ramirez most recently played in the big leagues in 2011, with Tampa Bay. The 12-time All-Star had a minor league with Texas before the Rangers released him last August. "Im at the stage of my life and career where I really want to give something back to the game that I love -- the game that has meant so much to me and done so much for me and my family," he said in a release. "I know I am nearing the end of my playing days, but I have a lot of knowledge to pass on to the next generation -- both what to do and what not to do." 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. The teaching role for Ramirez is a bit of a gamble for Epstein, who is depending on Chicagos rich farm system to turn around the floundering franchise. The Cubs lost 197 games over the previous two seasons, and began Sunday in last place in the NL Central with an 18-29 record. "The reality is he is a great, great hitter who can provide valuable insight and knowledge," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said before the game at San Diego. Chicagos top hitting prospects at Iowa include infielders Arismendy Alcantara and Javier Baez, a first-round pick in 2011 who is off to a slow start after he was a late cut by the Cubs following a solid spring training. Third baseman Kris Bryant, the No. 2 overall selection in last years draft, is one of the top hitters in the Double-A Southern League and could make it to Iowa by the end of the season. "The Cubs have some very talented young hitters, and I would love nothing more than to make a positive impact on their careers," Ramirez said. "I am passionate about baseball and about hitting, and I have a lot to offer. While I would love to return to the major leagues, I leave that in Gods hands. My focus will be on working with the young hitters, making sure they dont make the same mistakes I made, and helping the team any way I can." Ramirez was selected 13th overall by the Cleveland Indians in the 1991 amateur draft and rose quickly through the minor leagues, with a youthful exuberance and natural charisma that endeared him to just about everyone he met. He signed with the Red Sox as a free agent in December 2000, helping the franchise win an elusive World Series championship a few years later, then doing it again in 2007. Ramirez led the American League with a .349 batting average in 2002, finished second the next year, and had an AL-best 43 home runs in 2004. But there was another side to Manny -- his lackadaisical play, particularly on defence and the basepaths, rubbed some managers and teammates the wrong way. "Manny has made real mistakes in the past but he has owned up to them and moved his life in a positive direction the last couple of years," Epstein said in a release. "He is in a really great place right now and wants to share the lessons hes learned along the way. We think he deserves another chance and that our young hitters will benefit from it." John Carlson Jersey . 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"I dont want to say it was a surprise," team president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said.Lexington, KY (SportsNetwork.com) - Isaiah McKenzie returned the games opening kickoff for a touchdown and scored on a punt return as No. 17 Georgia blasted Kentucky 63-31 on Saturday. Hutson Mason threw a career-high four touchdown passes despite not playing one snap in the fourth quarter for Georgia (7-2, 5-2 SEC), which rebounded from last weeks 38-20 loss to Florida. Mason was 13-of-16 for 174 yards, and Nick Chubb rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown in the bounce-back win. The Bulldogs had a three-touchdown lead just over 10 minutes into the game. Very pleased with what happened today, said Georgia coach Mark Richt. Im proud of our players. I thought they did a really good job. Starting the game, there was a lot of energy in going up 21-0. Patrick Towles totaled 139 yards with a touchdown pass and ran for another score for the Wildcats (5-5, 2-5), who suffered their fourth straight loss. Towles completed 16-of-31 passes with one interception and added 60 yards on the ground. The Bulldogs got off to a great start in all three phases. McKenzie began the game by sprinting 90 yards to the end zone, the Georgia defense forced a three-and-out and Chris Conley caught a 15-yard touchdown pass to cap the first drive. After another brief Kentucky possession, Chubb scored on an 18-yard run with 4:57 left in the first quarter. Very embarrassing effort by our team (and) our coaching staff, starting with myself, said Kentucky coach Mark Stoops. Not acceptable. Just very disappointed in the way we played, thhe way were playing.dddddddddddd Like I said, embarrassing is the word that comes to mind. Were a .500 football team. Weve got our two biggest rivals left, so well see if we can regroup. The Wildcats outscored the Bulldogs 24-14 in the second quarter. Braylon Heard ran for a 3-yard touchdown and Austin MacGinnis kicked a 38- yard field goal after Georgia fumbled a short kick. Stanley Williams quickly answered Masons 23-yard touchdown pass off play action to Malcolm Mitchell with a 56-yard TD run. The Bulldogs went up 35-17 when Conley hauled in a 4-yard pass from Mason on a fade route, but two defensive penalties on the next Kentucky drive led to Towles scoring on a quarterback sneak with 16 seconds remaining before halftime. However, things fell apart for Kentucky in the third quarter. Towles was picked off by Corey Moore on the first play from scrimmage. The Bulldogs capitalized on the miscue as four Chubb runs preceded Jeb Blazevichs 10-yard touchdown grab. After a three-and-out by the Wildcats, McKenzie returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown. Sony Michel scored on a 23-yard run later in the third, and Brice Ramsey threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Blazevich in the fourth. Towles connected with Javess Blue for a nine-yard touchdown with 3:22 to play. Game Notes Georgia has won five straight games against Kentucky and each of the last four meetings in Lexington ... Michel had 84 yards on 16 carries ... Williams rushed 10 times for 100 yards. 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