Ryan Braun Succeeds in Appeal, Will Not Be Suspended

[Harthan]

How's this for shocking news: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/140213003.html

Due to a technicality in the rules regarding the shipping of Braun's drug test sample, he will not be suspended for 50 games for testing positive for a banned substance. Apparently, the sample was not "shipped in a timely fashion" and the chain of custody was broken, which could, hypothetically, allow for the possibility of someone tampering with the sample. This is really, really surprising news, I think, since it's pretty routine for guys to appeal their banned substance tests as a matter of course, just as a way to try to save a little face. Braun has now become the first player in history to successfully win an appeal for a positive banned substance test.

This is staggering news, really. With the steroid era supposedly behind us, the suspension of the National League's 2011 MVP for a banned substance came as a slap in the face for many and had the BBWAA kicking themselves over not giving it to Matt Kemp. It also tarnished the reputation of one of baseball's brightest stars of 2011, and left the Brewers devastated and unlikely to contend in 2012. Now, everything's changed. Braun may have still tested positive, but the test is now totally uncertain. I don't think you can rule out any suspicion whatsoever, but I also don't think it's fair to refer to Braun as a steroid user any longer. His MVP award is therefore revalidated, and his reputation restored - both to a certain extent, at least. Braun will probably likely never shake the suspicion of this incident, but he's certainly very far on the way to redemption now. Furthermore, it turns the Brewers into a very interesting team in 2012, as they now must only contend with the loss of Prince Fielder as a hit to their success. With Aramis Ramirez on the team now as well, they stand a fair chance at repeating as division champions, or at least making the playoffs.

I think the big question from here on out is whether or not Braun needed them to have his career season and if he will live to his 2011 season or not. I think there's plenty of reason to believe Braun, any banned substance aside, would have regressed anyway in 2012, though only slightly. I think it will be very interesting to see just how well he performs, and especially to keep an eye on whether or not he tests positive for anything again. Some guys just can't stay away.

Very surprising news that shakes up the baseball landscape once again. I'm still reeling a little bit, to be honest - I never expected to see Braun win this appeal. Definitely changes the landscape of the NL Central this year.

 

[Goliath Uterus]

Since I don't know the full story it's hard to form an opinion on the matter, but from where I stand right now, it sounds like the defense found some loophole that allowed him to not be suspended because of "mishandled urine samples". Pretty interesting stuff, and funny as well if you ask me, the MLB is supposedly pretty pissed off.

 

[Davi323]

Let MLB be pissed off. It's not Braun's fault that the chain of custody was broken. This may be a case of demonstrating the difference between being not-guilty and being innocent, however, I am leaning towards accepting the arbitrator's ruling at face value. It was not his job to prove he was innocent, it was MLB's job to prove he was guilty, and they couldn't do it. That's how our legal system is supposed to work. Whether you want to call it a technicality or not, Ryan Braun was able to raise sufficient doubt about the reliability of the tested sample. I don't know who his lawyer was, but given that it was the first EVER victory for a player appealing a suspension like that, I would say the guy definitely earned his money.

I don't know how quickly Braun's reputation will recover, but I do think that in 10 years, the only thing that will matter is that he won, not the reasons why. He has a few things going for him when it comes to his image rehabilitation: He has never tested positive for anything previously, his body size did not change dramatically, his numbers did not improve dramatically either. He improved on his 2010 stats by 8 HR and 8 RBI. WOW. Such a huge gap. He did show improvement from 2010, don't get me wrong...but when you think of a guy taking PEDs, you tend to think of drastic increases, like if he had hit an extra 20 HRs or something, while his 2011 stats are well within the average of his career. He improved on 2010, but after looking at his stats, 2010 might have been a bit of a down year for him, and he was simply returning to form. There was certainly nothing that stood out that would scream steroids, like it did with Canseco, McGwire or Sosa.

And, I think the thing that will probably tip the scales in his favor, was his request to take a DNA test to confirm whether the urine sample was his, combined with MLB's refusal to do it. That makes it at least look like he was honest and forthcoming, while MLB had something to hide by not wanting the test to be taken. I don't know if a DNA test can even be used in such a way, but that isn't the point. It's the appearance that Braun was willing to take the test while MLB didn't that will help him.

 

[Mustang Sally]

He improved on 2010, but after looking at his stats, 2010 might have been a bit of a down year for him, and he was simply returning to form.

Of course, the big test will be how he performs this coming year. Presumably, he wouldn't dare put illegal substances in his body after almost being suspended for it after his MVP season.

Then again, there's no evidence he didn't do exactly what he was accused of; it just means his lawyers used a technicality to get him off, which isn't the same as being innocent.

If he puts up similar numbers while clean, it will be argued that his alleged "better living through chemistry" didn't affect his performance anyway.....and the whole incident will be forgotten. But if he hits .220 with 9 home runs, it will be a gigantic black eye for baseball for allowing him to get away with it. Plus, attorneys for these athletes will be taking notice of the methods used by Braun's team and it will be that much harder for MLB to get the drug users out of the game.