Ryan Braun: NL MVP Reportedly Tests Positive for Banned Substance

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun had a spectacular season in 2011.

He hit .332 with 33 home runs, 111 RBI, 109 runs and 33 stolen bases, all of this while the Brewers were in a playoff chase.

But Braun's season, which earned him the National League MVP award, is now being put into question after ESPN's Outside the Lines reported on Saturday that sources said Braun tested positive for a banned substance under the MLB's drug policy.

Moments later, word came out that Braun had requested a second test shortly after the first, and that test's result was not positive.

Tweeted reporter Jen Lada:

If the first test is upheld, Braun faces a 50-game suspension next season. But that's the least of Braun's worries, or baseball's.

If Braun is deemed to have used PEDs, not only does his reputation take a nosedive, so does the reputation of baseball, which has been fighting to get out of what's been called the "Steroid Era."

If true, this would be crippling to MLB's image, bringing back visions of Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and all the other beefed-up sluggers that allegedly took PEDs while breaking numerous records.

It also would be a shame, because Braun was still a very good player before his MVP season. Before 2011, Braun had recorded at least 25 home runs, 97 RBI and 91 runs in each of his first four seasons. He was also the fifth overall pick in the 2005 MLB amateur draft, so this talent just didn't come out of nowhere. He's batting .312 for his career.

If the report is upheld, Braun would face much the same thing as the alleged banned substance users before him: In essence, his entire career would be questioned, even if this was his first offense.

This would also bring about the question of whether Braun's MVP award should be stripped from him and instead given to runner-up Matt Kemp, who also had a fantastic season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In short, if the first test proves to be accurate, this is bad news for baseball, a sport that appeared to be coming out of the "Steroid Era" and looking ahead to new horizons.