Ryan Braun: Milwaukee Brewers Star Will Always Be Guilty

Late Saturday, it was reported that NL MVP Ryan Braun tested positive for PEDs. The last thing anyone was thinking is that Ryan Braun is a cheater. 

Many will jump to conclusions, lash out and condemn the guy for eternity. What I can hope for is that Braun’s appeal goes smoothly and this all disappears. That of course is very unlikely.

According to Newsday, the appeal process could take us into February before we see any results. What’s worse is that no appeal has been overturned since PED testing began in 2004. If the positive result is upheld, Braun faces a 50-game suspension once the 2012 season begins. 

NYDailynews reports on the specifics of the test and what is involved:

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The test showed highly elevated levels of testosterone, according to the source, and was then sent to the World Anti-Doping Agency lab in Montreal for a more sophisticated test known as a carbon isotope test (CIR) or isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), which revealed that the levels were caused by exogenous or synthetic testosterone.

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Braun’s comment to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

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“This is all B.S. I am completely innocent." 

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I hope so, but what happens when and if Braun is found innocent or innocent on a technicality? Will fans outside of Milwaukee be that easy to forgive that he was even in a position like this, or will a cloud of disbelief and doubt follow him on every road trip? What will the reaction be if Braun unknowingly put PEDs into his body? 

In my opinion, Braun has to be proven innocent beyond a reasonable doubt, meaning that it wasn’t Braun’s test to begin with. In a perfect world the test results were due to some laboratory malfunction because if not, he is guilty from now until he retires and beyond. 

Look at Rafael Palmeiro. He vehemently denies any knowledge of ingesting anything into his body that would show up as drug on a test. How would any athlete in today’s age not know what they are ingesting or drinking? Today’s superstars are well-oiled machines who have dietitians, nutritionists, doctors, psychologists and whoever else available to them at all times and to say that ingesting something was a mistake is far-fetched in anyone’s opinion. 

If you Google "Ryan Braun PED" 1,160,000 results appear—not the most flattering result. Even the least knowledgeable sports fan is aware of what’s going on and I can guarantee that jury is already out on this. It is a terrible shame for a game that experienced so much success during the last month of the regular season, playoffs, World Series and recently, had one of the most exciting winter meetings in memory. 

Ryan Braun, from what I read, is a pretty stand-up guy and this is completely out of the norm. Ken Rosenthal reported that a source close to Braun said that is was not a positive test for PEDs, contradicting the ESPN reports. Either way, the suspicion, the leak of information and the test results will remind everyone what is wrong with the game, and if the appeal does not exonerate Braun to the fullest extent, this situation will continue to linger until the next positive test surfaces.

Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective

Devon is a former professional baseball player with the River City Rascals and Gateway Grizzlies, and is now an independent scout.