Wow! I said a couple of years ago that only two guys in baseball – Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols – could test positive for performance enhancing drugs and have it shake up the baseball world at this point. I was wrong!
According to ESPN’s Outside The Lines, 2011 National League MVP Ryan Braun has tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and faces a 50-game suspension, as a first time offender, if the initial test is upheld. Braun is reportedly appealing the suspension, which is why there has been no official announcement from MLB, and issued this statement through a spokesperson:
“There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan’s complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely no intentional violation of the program. While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident he will ultimately be exonerated.”
It was bad enough that Los Angeles Dodgers’ Center Fielder Matt Kemp got snubbed by the MVP voters, but now the catcalls will really get loud.
The timing of this announcement could not be worse as MLB has just come off one of the most exciting postseasons ever, and has managed to dominate the headlines over the past few weeks with Albert Pujols’s free agency and subsequent signing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Ryan Braun is truly one of the nice guys in the game, in addition to being one of it’s brightest, young stars, so for his sake and the sake of the sport, I really hope there is a really good explanation behind this failed test, one that will hold up to scrutiny by MLB.
Contact Geoff at geoff@popflyboys.com and follow him on Twitter @snglemarriedguy
Original Story:
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December 08, 2011
