While just abouteveryone else is crucifying Ryan Braun over his positive test forprohibited drugs, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp the man who wouldotherwise have a legitimate claim to Brauns MVP title advised critics towithhold judgment.
Braun, a MilwaukeeBrewers outfielder, faces a 50-game suspension if his appeal of his positivetest fails. He has called the result BS and issued a statement saying highlyunusual circumstances in the case will show he did not violate Major LeagueBaseball rules regarding performance-enhancing drugs.
On Tuesday night, a TMZ.comcamera caught Kemp and a friend at The Grove in Los Angeles and suggested thatBrauns MVP award should go to him.
Nobodys provenanything, Kemp said, smiling and shrugging off the suggestion. We dont knownothing. I dont know anything. Thats a good dude. Thats my homie.
Some members of theBaseball Writers Association of America have called for a revote if Brauns positive testis confirmed, but Kemp seems to have faith that his friend is clean.
Brauns test came duringthe postseason, so he could make an argument that his 2011 stats a .332average, 33 home runs, 111 RBI and 33 stolen bases were not affected by banned substances.
Still, theres noprecedent for taking back a postseason award in baseball, and Kemp, whofinished second in the voting after putting up MVP-worthy numbers (.324, 39HRs, 126 RBI, 40 stolen bases), surely wouldnt want the award under thosecircumstances.
Besides, he has alreadypromised to produce a 50-50 season that will win the MVP, so who would deny himthe chance to have a season for the ages?
Original Story:
http://www.foxsportswest.com/12/14/11...
Original Story:
http://www.foxsportswest.com/12/14/11...
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December 12, 2011
