Per ESPN: Braun Tests Positive, May Face 50 Game Suspension (Part 2)

[Schlitz001]

Why would Braun be taking a medication without informing MLB or the Brewers training staff if there was even a remote possiblity that it may trigger a positive test?

Maybe because it was something embarrassing and he didn't trust MLB to keep it confidential. Considering it somehow leaked that he had a positive test, I would say that fear is justified. That doesn't necessarily absolve him, but it's at least justified.

The government has strict penalties for the violation of HIPAA laws and any accidental leak of private health information would look terrible on MLB. Look at how careless they look right now when almost no definitive information about Braun's case has been leaked. I would hope that Braun would be comfortable enough with the Brewers staff to go to them as a channel to get the OK for any medication that he's taking.

I know that certain herbal medications have been known to be counterfeited and include actual chemical ingredients, for instance counterfeit Extenze with chemical Levitra or Viagra. So I suppose it's possible that Braun bought some counterfeit erectile dysfunction meds or something equally as embarrassing and they contained a huge amount of synthetic testosterone. That's the most realistic scenario I can think of and it still seems very far fetched. It doesn't fit a lot of the information that's already been leaked and it still means that Braun was knowingly taking a supplement from a third party without telling the Brewers organization or MLB.

[jjfanec]

What does the fact that MLB has given thousands of tests with no leak prove? No one cares when a player doesn't fail a test. How many of those thousands of tests have come up poisitive since it has been implemented? Less than a dozen? Most of those weren't big names either to make it even worth while to leak it. The testing finally netted a big fish and someone decided to leak it during the appeal because it was a juicy story and that person probably made some money off of it.

It proves they go through their due process and do not leak info whether it's positive or not. Manny Ramirez is a far bigger name nationally than Braun and he had 2 failed tests - neither of which were leaked, to my knowledge, ahead of time.

Braun had just won an MVP, I would say he is a pretty big name. He is much more relevant at this point than Manny, at least during Manny's last failed test. It was a huge story for espn

[RockCoCougars]

I just can't buy the supplement excuse. It seems that these guys go to the well with some variation of this one whenever they are caught. If I believe that Braun took some laced Extenze, then I couldn't discount the claim that Palmeiro thought he was getting B12 injected by Tejada, or that Lee DeRamus really lived on a diet of tons of poppy seed bagels (remember that one?).

[TheCrew]

Braun had just won an MVP, I would say he is a pretty big name. He is much more relevant at this point than Manny, at least during Manny's last failed test. It was a huge story for espn

Never said Braun isn't a big name - but Manny, when he was busted the first time, was FAR bigger..... Mannywood was huge at the time - not to mention he had the legacy from Boston - and it was a big shock at the time.

[TheCrew]

MLB is horrible at leaking names. Look at the 2003 initial survey of steroid testing before the new drug testing program where A-Rod name was leaked, and this was testing that didn't even result in suspensions and was supposed to be kept sealed. Do you think A-Rod's people leaked this info out too?

You mean the test results that MLB refused to turn over to the government until they were federally seized with search warrants? Sorry, MLB wasn't your leak there either.

[rwa12]

I haven't read all 38 pages, so forgive me if I am repetitive.

He has been found guilty, so I don't understand the sentiment of "innocent until proven otherwise". This is an appeal, not an initial case, the verdict has been turned in. It is also not a traditional case, IMO, in that the plaintiff (MLB), has little to gain with a victory. In this scenario, it is entirely on the defense to refute the evidence. MLB is hurt by a reigning MVP testing positive, I don't expect them to be lenient, but I'm sure they are hoping he has a valid reason or case. The plaintiff does not have to prove guilt, they already have. They will have to defend their methods, and chain of custody, but I'm sure they have reviewed this already.

I believe Braun did something wrong, how wrong or for what reason, I'm not sure. I don't believe their case will necessarily exonerate him. I think that the silence is because their case will somehow test a loophole or vulnerability in the process or claim. This is cynical, I think if he is found not-guilty it won't necessarily be because he was wrongly prosecuted, but because there was a mistake made along the line by MLB (along the lines of OJ). I don't think he wants the strategy or evidence leaked. I think he is hoping he wins his appeal in silence, and that MLB's response is that he won, and that is all. I don't think he wants the info of why he is innocent made public, because it won't portray him in a better light. This is purely speculation, as everything is with Braun, but given the way the scenario has played out, it would make sense to me. They don't want MLB aware of the loophole until they present it, they don't want there to be time for it to be closed. Hope I am wrong, hope he was taking viagra, or they switched the sample, or some such case. I think he receives the 50 game suspension, much to everyone's dismay.

[Invader3K]

Jonathan Lucroy with comments on Ryan Braun, from 620-WTMJ.

[JohnBriggs12]

I haven't read all 38 pages, so forgive me if I am repetitive.

He has been found guilty, so I don't understand the sentiment of "innocent until proven otherwise". This is an appeal, not an initial case, the verdict has been turned in. It is also not a traditional case, IMO, in that the plaintiff (MLB), has little to gain with a victory. In this scenario, it is entirely on the defense to refute the evidence. MLB is hurt by a reigning MVP testing positive, I don't expect them to be lenient, but I'm sure they are hoping he has a valid reason or case. The plaintiff does not have to prove guilt, they already have. They will have to defend their methods, and chain of custody, but I'm sure they have reviewed this already.

I believe Braun did something wrong, how wrong or for what reason, I'm not sure. I don't believe their case will necessarily exonerate him. I think that the silence is because their case will somehow test a loophole or vulnerability in the process or claim. This is cynical, I think if he is found not-guilty it won't necessarily be because he was wrongly prosecuted, but because there was a mistake made along the line by MLB (along the lines of OJ). I don't think he wants the strategy or evidence leaked. I think he is hoping he wins his appeal in silence, and that MLB's response is that he won, and that is all. I don't think he wants the info of why he is innocent made public, because it won't portray him in a better light. This is purely speculation, as everything is with Braun, but given the way the scenario has played out, it would make sense to me. They don't want MLB aware of the loophole until they present it, they don't want there to be time for it to be closed. Hope I am wrong, hope he was taking viagra, or they switched the sample, or some such case. I think he receives the 50 game suspension, much to everyone's dismay.

Its not an appeal. Appeals occur after final judgment is rendered. No final judgment has been rendered and he hasn't been suspended (ie found guilty). Final judgment in this case only occurs after Braun and his lawyer present a defense to the failed drug test via a hearing. The hearing is the players right under the CBA. It's called a hearing and not an appeal for a reason. The failed drug test is simply evidence that he broke the policy. The hearing allows the player to poke holes in the veracity of the evidence and offer evidence that counters the conclusion that he broke the rule.

[TheCrew]

Not sure where you are getting your info; Tom H even wrote an article/blog a week or two ago about how Braun would be the first to win an appeal and detailed previous appeals.

 

It's an appeal of his suspension - there is no hearing; your implying that there would still be some type of hearing if Braun didn't appeal........ which there would not be, he's just be gone 50 games - no other way to slice it.

 

This isn't the justice system and really shouldn't be compared to it in anyway - sadly, if it was, Braun would have a much better chance of getting off.

[brettac1]

Even though i cant accurately dispute the legitimacy of the test, i dont think that the increased testosterone helped Braun much. He had taken tests in the regular season and came clean, so i doubt he's been taking any sythetic testosterone in the regular season. As for during the postseason, if he did have an advantage with the testosterone, he would have shown more power. But he only hit 2 home runs.

Steroids and testosterone don't just equal homers. That's pretty much a media/fan creation.

[narwhalattack]

But still, the only abnormal thing about Braun's performance was his batting average/hits, and playoffs are small samples to begin with. So that can't be totally attributed to steroids.

[brettac1]

No, but he was likely using them for the entire season. There wouldn't be a huge benefit to just doing it in the playoffs.

[narwhalattack]

No, but he was likely using them for the entire season. There wouldn't be a huge benefit to just doing it in the playoffs.

He's been tested throughout the season too. The tests came out negative.

Also, didn't someone said that Braun got tested positive for a banned substance rather than a PED? Why are people still thinking he's been taking steroids?

[brettac1]

I think it's far more likely that he just screwed up and got popped with whatever he used.

 

And, as far as I am concerned testosterone is pretty much taken for the same reason as "steroids". I know he didn't test for PED's/steroids (nor did I say he did), but if a guy is using testosterone it's for the same reasons a guy would use steroids.

[narwhalattack]

Some things don't add up, though. If he had been using synthetic testosterone throughout the season, he would have been caught earlier than October. And you say that there wouldn't be a huge benefit of taking it in the playoffs. I wonder what really happened.

[brettac1]

I think there are plenty of players that use synthetic testosterone, or HGH, or an as-of-yet undetectable steroid, or something we have zero clue about through the season and don't get caught. I think you put too much faith in the testing system to assume he would have been caught earlier. The game isn't that far removed from a time when (at least) half of the league was using a PED of some form and it's still very much a part of the culture of the game since that genie is out of the bottle.

[narwhalattack]

Assuming that he got tested periodically throughout the season, it would take a quick technological advancement to discover a previously undiscovered source of synthetic testosterone.

 

I really can't wait until this is all cleared up. The media's been feeding people a variety of things, and there are so many false information to the point that the majority of people out there are confused(and they probably don't know it).

[brettac1]

Assuming that he got tested periodically throughout the season, it would take a quick technological advancement to discover a previously undiscovered source of synthetic testosterone.

Or for Braun to slip up. Maybe he used to get tips before he would be tested. Maybe he used a fast-acting topical testosterone like Victor Conte mentioned and used it too close to this test and he got caught. It didn't have to be an advance in the testing system to have him get caught this time. I personally think that's the most probable explanation, far more believable than the story that the Braun people are feeding the media.

[Nottso]

Assuming that he got tested periodically throughout the season, it would take a quick technological advancement to discover a previously undiscovered source of synthetic testosterone.

Or for Braun to slip up. Maybe he used to get tips before he would be tested. Maybe he used a fast-acting topical testosterone like Victor Conte mentioned and used it too close to this test and he got caught. It didn't have to be an advance in the testing system to have him get caught this time. I personally think that's the most probable explanation, far more believable than the story that the Braun people are feeding the media.

What story is that? I've heard no specifics at all. Did I miss something?

[brettac1]

The medical story.

[brettac1]

Jon Heyman with a new story: http://jon-heyman.blogs.c.../entry/33714192/34232524

 

Ryan Braun will be coming to the Baseball Writers dinner Jan. 21 to pick up his National League MVP award. At least that’s what we hear. His position is that he did nothing wrong, and thus, has nothing to hide.

 

We hope that’s right. And maybe it is. Everyone should be presumed innocent. And in this case, we’re talking about a player who has been seen for a while as one of the brightest lights in the game, both on and off the field. Additionally, it shouldn’t even be known yet that he failed a test for a banned substance.

 

The Brewers star is the first major league player to have his confidentiality breached. So maybe he becomes the first to win a hearing and save himself the 50 games suspension (although, that part won’t be easy).

 

Braun certainly has expressed a lot of belief in his own innocence in the brief comments he’s made publicly, including one in which he said, “It’s BS.’’ It’s too bad that’s about all we’ve heard from Braun, as he is one of the most articulate players in the game. We will assume that he’s probably saving his best material for the hearing.

 

But what will he say then? Word around the game is that he will press “multiple issues,’’ including the testing process itself. That’s good. Because to win the case, he has to point out a flaw in the system.

 

One thing he is expected to point to is the test claim of a bizarrely high spike in testosterone, which was apparently something like three times what’s been seen before; it will likely to be argued that it must therefore be caused by testing error. Braun obviously passed all the tests before this one, and he passed a subsequent test he ordered upon learning about the failed one a couple weeks after taking the original sometime in early October when his Brewers team was just embarking on the playoffs.

 

No one has done it at the major league level yet, but one minor leaguer won enough benefit of doubt in a hearing to win his case. (We don’t know who that is because his confidentiality wasn’t breached.) Braun will try to become the first at a hearing that ix expected to be just after that BBWAA dinner, Jan. 23 or 24, according to Lance Allen of WTMJ-4 in Milwaukee.

 

It sounds like Braun may try a number of avenues here, including the possibility that a medication to combat a private medical issue is to blame, as TMZ initially reported. But while that argument could win some points with the public, that isn’t going to win the day, or the hearing.

 

Baseball deserves credit for giving players a chance at a hearing (unlike the NFL). But it’s still considered a “strict liability’’ situation, which means it’s up to Braun to proven he’s been somehow wronged. He’s enlisted top people (both for p.r. and legal help), and that’s a good thing because everyone deserves their day in court. Braun should get his.

 

Not really anything new aside from those dates. He also apparently missed Brendan Katin's story. Really, Jon Heyman is terrible, but it's something resembling a story, at least.

[TheCrew07]

Steroids don't help hitters make contact, but they do help hit home runs. Steroids have plenty of benefits beyond injury recovery which is significant in itself. Take 1000 swings while on a roid cycle and you're going to hit the ball farther because you're going to gain muscle mass in all the right places which will allow you to generate more torque and thus more force through the hitting zone.

 

The myth that steroids don't help hit homeruns has been perpetuated by people who really don't understand the drug and the sport of baseball. Bonds didn't hit as many homeruns at age 37 as he did at age 28 because he was aging was in reverse, and he certainly didn't hit 73 HRs in 664 PAs in his age 36 season because of an off season lifting program between his 34 HR age 34 season and then.

 

Yes they don't help hitters make contact, but to suggest that adding more power doesn't turn doubles into HRs seems like wishful thinking to me.

[brettac1]

I didn't say that anywhere. Obviously they work, that's why there are loads of guys who still use them even with testing in place.

 

Certainly, though, a random player isn't just going to hit 73 HR because of them. Bonds is one of the best players to ever play the game. If you pair that incredible amount of talent with excellent science, you get that kind of amazing performance. It was awesome to behold.

[YoungGeezy]

Anyone who knows about steroids or has used knows you will have spikes. In size, weight lifting numbers, or something like homeruns. No one, I literally mean no one would take steroids in order to stay consistant, nor would it work out like that if you wanted it to. Your power numbers would spike but overall it will not make you a better player (ask Alex Sanchez). Hitting is a skill Braun has, only power and speed can be added. If he is a .200 hitter, he will stay a .200 hitter but power numbers would spike up and down.

 

Braun is the definition of consistancy and that is just impossible on steroids. The pont is to get better not be the exact same. I just cant see steroids as a possibility.

[brettac1]

A lot of players use them for recovery and endurance. Not all steroids/PED's are created equal.

 

A-Rod, Barry Bonds, Palmeiro, Clemens, etc. were all remarkably consistent players. Among several others. It helped them stay great at an advanced age. So I guess I can't buy the "you can't be consistent on steroids" idea.