Milwaukee Brewer and 2011 National League MVP Ryan Braun recently tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. Braun is set to make an appeal to major league baseball to avoid a 50 game suspension. Here is what a spokesman said about Braun "There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will
support Ryan's complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely
no intentional violation of the program. 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 he will ultimately be exonerated."
Athletes such as Matt Kemp and Aaron Rodgers have stood up for Braun and don't believe the allegations are true. Kemp said "Nobody's proven anything man ... we don't know anything." Rodgers added "It’s just ridiculous the allegations. I think as much as he probably
can’t say a whole lot right now just the fact that he was willing to
take a test right after that and I don’t know exactly what all is out
there but I just am trusting that my good friend has not been using
anything illegal and I’m very confident that’s the case because I know
how much he cares about the integrity of the game and wouldn’t do
anything to jeopardize that.”
As much as I hate steroids in baseball, you really can't strip the man of his MVP until everything is said and done. There are many legal methods, and even natural methods of raising testosterone levels that might not be banned by the league. The thing that I notice most though is that his rep said that he didn't "Intentionally violate the program." This tells me that they know he has used something illegal, but maybe didn't know it at the time. I guess we just have to let it play out to see what really went down.
