Timing of Ryan Braun's Failed Test Latest Baffling Move by MLB

Major league baseball just made a foolish and needless mistake that is going to set this sport back years in their quest alter perceptions about their game.

ESPN's Outside the Lines reported hearing from two sources "familiar with the case" that Braun had failed the test. The MLB has yet to announce the positive results or ensuing suspension. 

Prolific Damage of This Report

Baseball has taken great strides to clean up their image of a steroid riddled league. They implemented an enhanced drug testing program and severe suspensions for anyone that fails.

They had made great strides to clean up this image. Suspensions had become few and far between, and other than Manny Ramirez, the suspensions had come to fringe level players.

This erases almost all the positive strides that baseball has made.

Baseball MVPs are celebrated as the faces of the game. This award elevates them even beyond their high-profile status that their amazing season delivered.

The news of Braun testing positive was going to be big enough had he not won the award. It is huge now. It is one thing to have a headlines that say "Star Player Tests Positive for PEDs" it is another thing entirely when those headlines contain "MVP."

Timing of the Test

Mark Fairnaru-Wada and TJ Quinn of ESPN reported the details of the timing.

"

The 28-year-old Braun had to provide a urine sample for testing during the playoffs, and he was notified of the positive test sometime in late October -- about a month before he was named the National League's most valuable player.

"

Braun did not receive his NL MVP award until November 22nd.

MLB's Unbelievable Failure

What makes all of this impossible to believe is the fact that this could have been easily averted. This test was done long before the MVP award was handed out. The second that Braun's test came back positive the MLB should have expedited their review process and reached a conclusion in time to alert voters.

Bob Nightengale of the USA Today reported that Braun said the positive test was "B.S." and that he "plans a vigorous defense of the positive test. He will appeal" the results.

And if he clears his name or not, that does not erase the failure of baseball in this situation.

An MVP award should never be given to someone under these circumstances.

All of this should have been taken care of before the award was announced. This is a needless and massive black-eye for the sport.