Don't Let Ryan Braun's Winning Appeal Interfere with Baseball's Integrity

Oh, how sour are the grapes. A three-member panel, including Shyam Das, ruled Braun's test was a false positive or an erroneous test of some sort. Major League Baseball is not happy.

How could anyone, even someone as respected as Mr. Das and his colleagues, have the temerity to question the results of a drug test?

Rob Manfred, MLB executive vice president for labor relations, reminded everyone how important baseball's drug testing program is to the integrity of the game. Manfred said the usual hooey that fans deserve nothing less than a game that is not compromised. Where were Bud Selig and the owners during the 1990s when the use of performance-enhancing drug use was rampant?

Continuing, Manfred said,  "While we have always respected that process, Major League Baseball vehemently disagrees with the decision rendered today by arbitrator Shyam Das.”

The Lords of Baseball turned a deaf ear to accusations of drug abuse that bastardized the record books and transformed a few players into all-time greats during what is "lovingly" referred to as the "steroid era."

MLB cannot stomach the fact that Ryan Braun was telling the truth.

It was revealed that two separate tests indicated Braun had elevated levels of testosterone. In each case, a synthetic substance contributed to the high levels.

Braun insisted he had not violated baseball's drug policy. He wanted the chance to be exonerated.

“I can’t wait to get that opportunity,” Braun said. ”This is all B.S. I am completely innocent.”

When Braun learned of the test that was "positive" for synthetic testosterone, he asked for another test. He tested negative the second time.

Braun is the first player to ever have a drug test result overturned.

"I am very pleased and relieved by today's decision," Braun said. "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."

MLB and Rob Manfred have the power, but it is not yet absolute power. They choose to ignore the results of the second test because it doesn't fit their agenda. If MLB accuses, no appeal is necessary because MLB and its testing program are infallible.

What a disgraceful reaction by MLB.