National League MVP Ryan Braun, who last season led the Milwaukee Brewers to their first division title in nearly three decades, has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and faces a 50-game suspension if the initial finding is upheld, two sources familiar with the case told "Outside the Lines."
Major League Baseball has not announced the positive test because Braun is disputing the result through arbitration.
A spokesman for Braun issued a statement Saturday: "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."
The 28-year-old Braun had to provide a urine sample for testing during the playoffs, and he was notified of the positive test sometime in late October -- about a month before he was named the National League's most valuable player.
The positive result was triggered by elevated levels of testosterone in Braun's system, the sources also told "Outside the Lines." A subsequent, more comprehensive test revealed the testosterone was synthetic -- not produced by Braun's body.
What a huge disappointment. Braun's one of the more likable guys in the league, too.
So I guess we can scratch the Brewers from the NL Central race next year. No Prince and no Braun for 50 games is a huge punch in the gut.
Maybe he'll come back the same time as Manny does......
When they determine it's not a natural source, there's no way it's unintentional. Take his MVP while you're at it MLB if you REALLY want to look like you care about PEDs.
Somewhere, Matt Kemp just shakes his head in disappointment.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." --- Bart Giamatti, on baseball
Originally posted by StaggerLeeMaybe he'll come back the same time as Manny does......
When they determine it's not a natural source, there's no way it's unintentional. Take his MVP while you're at it MLB if you REALLY want to look like you care about PEDs.
Good lord is it funny to see you moralizing considering the team you root for and their history with peds. And no they should not take away his MVP. He is getting punished by getting suspended for fifty games already.
I'm moralizing by saying that if MLB is serious about showing that they won't tolerate PEDs they should strip him of his MVP? It's what the league has been preaching for a few years, that they want to clean up the league and keep it free from Steroids and other PEDs. So, be serious and take that trophy away and give Matt Kemp the honor.
Plus, I don't think I'm guilty of ever singing the praises of A-Rod, Clemens, Giambi or anybody else on the Yankees who were linked to PEDs. My two favorite Yankees of the modern era are Rivera and Bernie Williams. Neither of them are exactly Adonis figures.
And if we're going by the "well, he's being punished, so his accomplishments should stand" I can't wait for you to be campaigning for McGuire and Sosa and Bonds to be getting their HOF induction.
Originally posted by StaggerLeeTake his MVP while you're at it MLB if you REALLY want to look like you care about PEDs.
The writers vote on MVP, not the league.
I still would like to see some reaction from the writers if the failed test holds up. Many of these writers are the same guys who vote in the Hall of Famers each year and make a big show about not allowing in users like Bonds and McGwire. They even make a fuss about not letting in guys like Bagwell who have 'rumors' but have never been implicated with any actual evidence. If Braun is found to have used illegal drugs and is suspended, I think they have to strongly consider taking away his MVP. Otherwise, they run the risk of coming off as hypocrites for going after the 'old guard' players of the '90s and early 00's but not the superstars of today.