Ryan Braun, MLB and MLBPA Release Statements as MLB Is Blindsided by Reversal

The 2011 National League MVP is off the hook.

Who could have seen this coming? 

Arbitrator Shyam Das decided to overturn Ryan Braun's 50-game PED suspension after hearing his appeal last month. 

The Major League Players Association released a statement saying, "Today the arbitration panel announced its decision, by a 2-1 vote, to sustain Ryan Braun's grievance challenging his 50-game suspension by the commissioner's office."

Shortly after, Brian Costa tweeted part of the MLB statement that was released, "Major League Baseball vehemently disagrees with the decision rendered today by arbitrator Shyam Das."

MLB is clearly not too happy with the decision that was rendered. 

One person who is happy with the decision is none other than Braun, who released a statement Thursday evening:

"

I am very pleased and relieved by today's decision. It is the first step in restoring my good name and reputation. We were able to get through this because I am innocent and the truth is on our side.

We provided complete cooperation throughout, despite the highly unusual circumstances. I have been an open book, willing to share details from every aspect of my life as part of this investigation, because I have nothing to hide. I have passed over 25 drug tests in my career, including at least three in the past year.

"

The voters split their votes on the issue, with one vote being cast by Major League Baseball and another being cast by the Players' Union. 

The tie led Das to come to a decision on the matter and that decision let Braun run free.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Tom Haudricourt suggests:

"

Someone familiar with the decision said the appeal went Braun's way not so much on contesting the result of the test but the testing process itself, some kind of technicality. And it was arbitrator Shyam Das who decided to rule in favor on that technicality, making it a 2-1 decision by the three-man panel.

"

Perhaps it was a loophole that allowed the decision to be made, but either way, Bud Selig and the rest of the big shots in MLB are going to be fuming over this decision.

More details will likely be revealed in the upcoming days, as there are many questions that still need answers.

On Thursday evening however, the Milwaukee Brewers are thankful to have dodged a bullet.