Ryan Braun Tests Positive.
Some shocking news came out of Milwaukee over the weekend; the newly crowned 2011 National League MVP, Brewers Left Fielder Ryan Braun, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and is facing a 50-game suspension to start the 2012 season. When I saw this news, but mouth just about dropped because Braun is one of the young ambassadors of the game and has done nothing but play the game the right way since he came up in 2007. However, this case is not black and white.
Braun submitted a urine sample back in October during the playoffs, and his testosterone levels were elevated enough that it triggered a positive test. Another test on the same sample showed that the testosterone was synthetic and came from outside the slugger’s body. The source that leaked this story made it clear that Braun didn’t test positive for any type of performance enhancing drug or steroid of any kind, and the league hasn’t seen a case like this in the history of their program. Now, that alone says something.
Upon hearing of his positive test result, Braun immediately requested that he be tested again, with the result coming back negative. However, he still faces a 50-game suspension if his appeal is denied, being another big star that would have his body of work tainted by a positive test result. Nothing has been announced by the MLB because they are allowing the appeal process to go through first before an official announcement is made.
This is really unfortunate because Braun has molded himself into an a superstar over the last five seasons, with an average season looking like: .312 batting average, 36 home runs, 118 RBI, 21 stolen bases, .371 on base %, and .563 slugging %. In addition to his MVP award this year, he has also won the 2007 Rookie of the Year, four Silver Slugger awards, and been named to four All-Star teams.
I want to believe Braun when he says that this positive test is “B.S.”…however it’s hard to believe anyone in this day and age. It’s tough for me to think that it’s normal for synthetic testosterone to get into ones body by the use of everyday supplements. I do realize that the list of substances that can trigger a positive test is very long, but as a professional athlete, you owe it to yourself and all of your fans to make sure about every single thing you’re putting into your body is legal. It’s super annoying, but that’s the nature of the beast today.
On the flip side, it’s terrible that this unnamed source leaked this story to all major sport news outlets. The MLB didn’t announce the positive testing because they wanted to give Braun the opportunity to clear his name with an appeal first. If this story never got out and he was able to disprove the positive test, no one would have ever known and his legacy would have been saved. Now, even if he does win his appeal, the court of public opinion has already made their decision. Unfortunately, the public sees athletes and other celebrities as guilty until proven innocent, and sometimes they’re still seen as a cheater, even if they proved their case. This is definitely a lose-lose situation for the Brewers’ franchise player. Could you imagine the Brewers line-up at the beginning of 2012 without Braun or Fielder? It would look bare for sure, even with the addition of Aramis Ramirez.
I feel bad for Ryan Braun because regardless of the outcome of his appeal, his legacy is forever tainted, all because a “source” wouldn’t allow him the due process he deserved to fight this positive test.
It’s really a shame that whoever leaked this did so. I do hope he can prove himself innocent and clear his name and reputation.
Rick Helling? Let’s hear from him:
“There is this problem with steroids,” Helling told them. “It’s happening. It’s real. And it’s so prevalent that guys who aren’t doing it are feeling pressure to do it because they’re falling behind. It’s not a level playing field. We’ve got to figure out a way to address it… It’s a bigger deal than people think. It’s noticeable enough that it’s creating an uneven playing field. What really bothers me is that it’s gotten so out of hand that guys are feeling pressure to do it. It’s one thing to be a cheater, to be somebody who doesn’t care whether it’s right or wrong. But it’s another thing when other guys feel like they have to do it just to keep up. And that’s what’s happening. And I don’t feel like this is the right way to go.”
This is what the Brewers’ camp is putting out:
http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111213&content_id=26155860&vkey=news_mil&c_id=mil
What I, personally, am saddened by when I heard about this story is the fact that I didn’t even care enough to defend Ryan Braun EVEN though this story truly upset me when it first hit the wires.
Great, great reference right there. It’s truly sickening that some players feel they need to use steroids just to “keep up.”
My jaw dropped when I saw it hit ESPN, but if it ends up that he is guilty, it’s just another star player getting caught.