Sports

Report: Baseball MVP Faces 50-Game Suspension for Positive Drug Test

Report: Baseball MVP Ryan Braun Faces 50 Game Suspension for Positive Drug Test | Milwaukee Brewers | Performance Enhancing Drugs

ESPN is reporting that National League MVP Braun has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and is facing a 50-game suspension. A Braun spokesman said "there are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence." (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — National League MVP Ryan Braun has tested positive for a banned substance and is appealing to avoid a 50-game suspension, according to people familiar with the case.

ESPN cited two sources Saturday in first reporting the result, saying the Milwaukee Brewers slugger tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone, adding that a later test by the World Anti-Doping Agency lab in Montreal determined the testosterone was synthetic.

A spokesman for Braun said in a statement issued to ESPN and The Associated Press that “there are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan’s complete innocence.”

“There was absolutely no intentional violation of the program,” Matthew Hiltzik said in a statement sent by the four-time All-Star left fielder’s representatives.

“While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident that he will ultimately be exonerated,” he said.

Major League Baseball does not announce positive tests and penalties in drug cases involving initial positives until all arbitration is concluded.

The case is still being appealed to an arbitrator under MLB’s drug program, people familiar with the situation told the AP. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the appeal is still ongoing and said Braun and others involved in the appeals process have known about the positive test since late October.

Appeals usually are heard by arbitrator Shyam Das. One of the people said the appeals process is not likely to be concluded until January at the earliest. That person also told the AP that after being informed of the positive test, Braun asked to have another urine test taken, and that the second test was within normal range.

If suspended, Braun wouldn’t be eligible to play for the NL Central champions until May 31 at Dodger Stadium, barring any postponements. He would miss the first 57 days of the major league season, losing about $1.87 million of his $6 million salary.

Brewers owner Mark Attanasio praised Braun as “a model citizen in every sense of the word” and “a person of character and integrity.”

“We are dealing with an incomplete set of facts and speculation. Before there is a rush to judgment, Ryan deserves the right to be heard. We are committed to supporting Ryan to get to the truth of what happened in this unfortunate situation.” Attanasio said in a statement, adding the team had no information from Major League Baseball about the case.

The 28-year-old Braun, the 2007 NL Rookie of the Year, hit .312 with 33 homers and 111 RBIs last season and led Milwaukee to the NL championship series, where the Brewers lost to the eventual World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals.

Braun already was signed through 2015 when the Brewers gave him a new deal running through 2020 that added $105 million and guaranteed him a total of $145.5 million over a decade.

With seven-time MVP Barry Bonds facing sentencing next week on an obstruction of justice conviction for giving an evasive answer to a grand jury investigating drug distribution, and Roger Clemens facing an April trial of charges he lied to a congressional committee when he denied using PEDs, focus on drugs in baseball won’t go away.

Still, there have been just two suspensions this year for performance-enhancing substances under the major league drug program. Colorado catcher Eliezer Alfonzo was suspended for 100 games in September for his second violation. The annual report from the drug program’s independent administrator identified the substance as methenolone, which is contained in steroids sold under the brand name Primobolan.

Tampa Bay outfielder Manny Ramirez, confronted with a second positive PED test, retired in April and missed the final 156 games of the season. Ramirez wants to play next year, and under an agreement this month between MLB and the players’ association he will be suspended for the first 50 games of next season. Ramirez, then with the Los Angeles Dodgers, was suspended for 50 games in May 2009 for his initial violation.

In addition, Milwaukee pitcher Mark Rogers was suspended for 25 games in August for a positive test for a banned stimulant.

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, the former Brewers owner, has repeatedly said the sport has cleaned up in the last few years, toughening its testing rules.

“It’s the strongest program today in America sports,” he said last month when management and players agreed to a new labor contract that includes for the first time blood testing for human growth hormone when players arrive for spring training next year.

“One of the things that really gives me great pride.”

Comments (35)

  • AzSage
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 6:39pm

    I say let the facts come out, determine the truth before crucifying the guy. Although a 50 game suspension wouldn’t hurt some other teams in the NL.

    Report Post » AzSage  
  • Rowgue
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:47pm

    Get a clue.

    Report Post »  
  • georgeisn6
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:42am

    The only thing that is importent is that he not miss a game, sports fans dont care what kind of freaks are playing as long as the game is not interupted.

    Report Post »  
  • SFsuper49er
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 10:20pm

    Tired of some of these athletes taking drugs to help there game… That’s what ruined baseball for me… I was watching NFL today and saw two plays where the player tried to tackle the QB at his legs and got a penalty for it . What a joke! Can’t hit high, Can’t hit low…. They need to put a target sign on him where they can hit…. You know why this is… Because the QB’s are to Big and Rich to fail now too… Just put a couple of flags on there belt to pull off. If you pull one off he can’t throw the ball… LOL If the NFL stopped paying QB’s all that money, Then they wouldn’t make all these silly rules…. Tell you what you can do…. Pay all the players on the team the same money you pay QB’s … Then you can play tag football … See how that works out with the fans !

    Report Post »  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on December 11, 2011 at 11:15pm

      50 game suspension? It’ll never happen. MLB is about $$Money$$ BIG money. Money ALWAYS beats ethics. Ask ANY wall street banker.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
  • mike7050
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:58pm

    I want my son to see a good example. Not this. FIRE him for us. Americans need some good EXAMPLES. Even I need some…Please.

    Report Post »  
    • Amma K
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 7:25pm

      I believe there is more to this story. He took a second test immediately and that test came back clean. People who are juicing have a definitely ‘look’ and ‘build’ and Ryan Braun does not have the traits of someone who has juiced. I will be shocked if it is proven that he has done this to himslef. Just to out of character!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • dadsrootbeer
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:22pm

    Selig, like Obammy, have drastically minimized both baseball and America while destroying all things that once made them great.

    Report Post » dadsrootbeer  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 6:32pm

    Just another reason why I don’t watch major/minor league baseball and only watch college level – which is straining my morals and ethics also.

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
    • Rowgue
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:53pm

      Sorry to burst your bubble but college players are juicing too. Hell anybody that was involved in athletics in high school knew at least a couple of people that everyone knew were juicing.

      Using PEDs is not a problem limited to professions sports.

      Report Post »  
  • recoveringneocon
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 6:11pm

    Maybe there should be Congressional Hearing on this?

    Report Post » recoveringneocon  
  • wewantchillywilly
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 5:26pm

    i don’t believe this one. i bet he got some supplement that has it in it.

    are you sure it’s ryan braun? are you certain it’s not clay matthews of the packers? that guy is practically injecting after every play.

    Report Post »  
  • JohnTwoFeathers
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 4:38pm

    Freekin Brewers…they all should all be tested and suspended

    Report Post »  
    • drbage
      Posted on December 11, 2011 at 5:04pm

      And they invite him back as a “model” citizen with a $6 million contract, sounds just like Michael Vick. Yup, they sure are the role models I want for my children! NOT!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • ishka4me
      Posted on December 11, 2011 at 5:14pm

      modern sports is full of cheats; most get away with it and the ones caught are surprised because their trainers said the drugs couldn’t bee detected. It is quite obvious that when a guy‘s ching grows 4 inches in the off season and he lloks like a gorilla that maybe the testing isn’t working. Just check all the modern record holders in baseball and mvp’s you find they have been caught using steroids and hgh. It is still cheating and the leagues still don’t take it serious.

      Report Post »  
    • greensteam
      Posted on December 11, 2011 at 5:27pm

      how many get away with it? vlad is twice his size in the last 12 or so years, just like bonds. there is so many substances they dont have technology to test yet. alot more players to add to the suspended list.

      Report Post »  
  • chips1
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 4:35pm

    I say lets let them use any drug they wish and start the stats at zero. I want to see 200 home runs in a season and 600 lb. football players and then when they die because their heart exploded at age 36, we can party. It would be like going to a NASCAR race to see the crashes. Watch a football game and bet on whether a receivers head explodes during 3rd quarter. Sports in the Roman Coliseum is the way the world is heading.

    Report Post »  
  • TaterSalad
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 3:52pm

    Yeah right Ryan……..same old story as Clemons, Tejada, Rodriquez, Bonds, Pettit, Manny Rameraz and the list goes on. You’re a loser like the rest of the bums! You have “dis-respected Hank Aaron, Mickle Mantle and the rest of the straight shooters!

    Report Post »  
  • beck2012
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 3:40pm

    He cheated in the game of baseball so has Bonds, A-Rod, Clemens, and many more… they are still in the game of baseball if the So-Called Commissioner Bud, really cared about the game he would banish anyone that uses PED… but instead he would rather keep people like this in the game rather let true baseball heroes who did not cheat, back in such as Pete Rose and Joe Jackson.

    Report Post »  
  • scuba13
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 3:12pm

    If the suspension is upheld maybe he should have the mvp taken and given to someone who didn’t cheat.

    Report Post » scuba13  
    • KenInIL
      Posted on December 11, 2011 at 4:16pm

      Maybe he should get a lifetime suspension and the Dodgers be forced to pay him his $105 million. That would put an end to it for all teams. You would probably see massive retirements thruout MLB. $105M sounds like a big fine, but remember it is only one guys paycheck. Maybe the Dodgers should be forced to play a man down for the remainder of his contract (one less on the roster).

      Report Post »  
  • M13
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 3:07pm

    He is just another cheater in a league full of cheaters. He could care less for the history of the game or the idiots who go out and pay to watch a bunch of frauds, who act like they are in a special club and if you question them they just tell you “you‘ve never played so you can’t say anything’.

    Report Post »  
  • Viper1
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 3:04pm

    Some people say what is the problem if these guys want to make themselves stronger with steroid. I wish they were all forced to hear my story. I am not a major league sports star but I was given a massive overdose of steroids in 1996. By the year 2000 I was given less than a year to survive. Well the doctors were wrong about the date but not the conclusion. I am dying rapidly one day at a time. I take over forty different medications every single day just to see the sun come up. All of my bones have died from the inside out. I have artificial knees, hips, and elbows. My spine stared to collapse so now all of the vertibrea in my neck are fused together with concrete and a steel plate. I am going to have two separate brain surgeries before the first of the year. I thank God for each minute I get here on earth and I hope that baseball player enjoys the same. He needs to ask himself, is it worth it? If I was him I would trade all of the trophies in the world for a good nights sleep and to see one more day with my beautiful and loving wife. I really hope he feels the same.

    Report Post »  
  • jungle J
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 2:31pm

    he mistakenly used someone elses penis to pee…

    Report Post »  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 2:27pm

    I am constantly trying to figure out the abbreviations.. what the devil is a MVP!! Not all of us are so sportsy you know. Speak a dag enlish please!! LOL

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
  • brntout
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 2:10pm

    Synthetic testosterone ? That’s a banned substance? Maybe just needed to put a little lead in his bat?

    Report Post »  
  • TulsaYeeHaw
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 1:49pm

    What drug? POT? This guy doesn’t use steroids or HGH, you would be able to tell.

    Report Post »  
    • M13
      Posted on December 11, 2011 at 3:03pm

      How can someone ask such a stupid question? You are clueless.

      Report Post »  
  • netmail
    Posted on December 11, 2011 at 1:48pm

    I take a ton of supplements. If I had a test come back like this, I’d turn over every capsule I take to the authorities and let them do an analysis of each of them. I would do my own lab work independently. If a trainer or doctor was jacking me up without my knowledge, I would want to know and then take them for all they’re worth. If I am in on it, well, I got caught. No doubt, both trust and ethics are harder to come by these days.

    Report Post »  
    • nakedbootleg
      Posted on December 11, 2011 at 10:40pm

      all players are given a list of banned substances. It‘s the players’ responsibility to know whats in these supplements. If he fails to read the labels, he fails the test. Pretty simple stuff.I believe the article stated that the substance was proven to be synthetic which most likely didn’t originate in a bottle of supplements.

      Report Post » nakedbootleg  
    • Rowgue
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:03pm

      You don’t get synthetic testoserone from a bottled supplement, you inject it.

      Report Post »  

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