Holy shit! Ryan Braun wins drug test appeal
More Jock Itch
- Sizing up the Bucks’ chances in the playoffs (yes, the Bucks are in the playoffs)
- Presented without comment: Here’s Jose Canseco’s painting of Bud Selig
- Let’s ignore the latest Ryan Braun scandal and listen to some awful Ryan Braun tribute songs instead
- The Taco Bell Skills Challenge, and three other ways the Bucks could participate in the All-Star Game
- AAAAAHHHH! Nyjer Morgan signs with Japan’s Yokohama DeNa BayStars
After months of tense deliberation and furious Bingo playing, Major League Baseball has finally made a decision in the Ryan Braun PED scandal. And incredibly, it’s good news: the Journal Sentinel is reporting that the Milwaukee Brewers all-star and National League MVP has won his appeal, and will not be subjected to a 50-game suspension. Holy shit!
Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun became the first major-league player to have a positive drug test overturned when he was informed Thursday that an arbitration panel ruled in his favor on appeal and decided against a 50-game suspension for the reigning National League most valuable player.
Someone familiar with the decision said the appeal went Braun’s way not so much on contesting the result of the test but the testing process itself, some kind of technicality. And it was arbitrator Shyam Das who decided to rule in favor on that technicality, making it a 2-1 decision by the three-man panel.
Braun reportedly tested positive for performance enhancing drugs late last year. He quickly appealed that finding, and has since maintained his innocence. Bruan is scheduled to join his team tomorrow afternoon for spring training.
UPDATE: It seems that while Braun and the entire state of Wisconsin are currently beside themselves with joy, Major League Baseball most certainly is not. A statement from MLB Executive Vice President for Labor Relations Rob Manfred reads:
Major League Baseball considers the obligations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program essential to the integrity of our game, our Clubs and all of the players who take the field. It has always been Major League Baseball’s position that no matter who tests positive, we will exhaust all avenues in pursuit of the appropriate discipline. We have been true to that position in every instance, because baseball fans deserve nothing less.
As a part of our drug testing program, the Commissioner’s Office and the Players Association agreed to a neutral third party review for instances that are under dispute. While we have always respected that process, Major League Baseball vehemently disagrees with the decision rendered today by arbitrator Shyam Das.
Eh, screw it: WOOO!!!
UPDATE UPDATE: FOX6 has Braun’s official statement on his exoneration here.
