Ryan Braun: Will Suspension Taint Hebrew Hammer's Legacy Forever?

After Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun reportedly failed a drug test late last year, it's now looking like the 50-game suspension he received will be upheld.

Braun, who reportedly tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone in late September or early October, is coming off an MVP season, mind you, in which he hit .332 with 33 home runs, 111 RBI, 109 runs and 33 stolen bases.

But according to an MLB official, per Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Braun's upcoming appeal later this month isn't likely to go well for the 28-year-old.

If Braun's suspension is upheld, he will not only miss almost one-third of the Brewers' 2012 season, his legacy is likely to be tarnished.

Because the reality is, if Braun took performance-enhancing drugs last season, there's the possibility he could have taken them throughout his career.

Before last season, Braun was still a monster. He started out his career by hitting .324 with 34 home runs, 97 RBI and 91 runs. He hasn't hit less than 25 home runs in a season since then, or recorded less than 100 RBI.

It's a sad development in the MLB. The MLB was supposed to be headed out of the doldrums that was "The Steroid Era." But when your MVP tests positive for PEDs, it really can't get much worse than that (except, of course, if Albert Pujols tests positive).

For Braun, this would be devastating to his reputation. Then again, after signing a five-year, $105 million extension before last season, he may not feel too bad.

But he will undoubtedly be looked at in a different way now, and you can bet opposing fans will hold up plenty of signs digging at his positive PED test.

Albert Pujols, you're our only hope.