Ryan Braun made Major League Baseball (MLB) history on Feb. 24 when he became the first player to have a failed drug test overturned. Braun, who was named the Most Valuable Player in the National League last season while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers, was facing a 50-game suspension in the upcoming season because of a positive drug test in October. Braun appealed the findings of the test and a three-person panel listened to his case before overturning the original decision.Major League Baseball’s players’ association released a statement after the appeal was upheld by a score of 2-1, which said that most grievances against drug tests aren’t made public, but all parties agreed it was in the best interests of everybody concern to announce the arbitration board’s decision to rescind the suspension.
MLB also released a statement which said the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program is essential to the league, but any player who tests positive will be given the chance to prove their innocence via the appeals process, which is what Braun did. It went on to say that MLB and the Players’ Association agreed to let a neutral third party make the final decision on the case and while it respects the arbitration process, MLB disagrees with arbitrator Shyam Das’ decision.
The news of Braun’s positive test was broken in December by ESPN. The broadcasting company said that Braun had tested positive during a urine sample which showed his levels of testosterone were elevated. Braun then asked for another test, which he also failed. Some fans are questioning the legitimacy of his MVP season last year when he hit 33 home runs and added 111 RBI. His batting average stood at .332 and he also stole 33 bases. In addition, Braun was named a starter for the All-Star game, but missed it because of an injured leg.
Braun said he was relieved and pleased with the decision and that he’s glad his good reputation and name have been restored. He added that he was innocent of any wrongdoing and truth is on his side. He said he cooperated with the league during its investigation and pointed out that he passed more than 25 other drug tests during his career, including a minimum of thee over the last year. He then thanked the Brewers organization, his family, lawyers, agent, teammates, fans, and friends for standing by him.
Braun said he provided the urine sample on Oct. 1, but instead of being delivered to the lab the same day like the rules say it should be, it didn’t arrive until two days later. He said there was a 44 hour delay in the arrival of the urine and that could have tainted it, resulting in a failed drug test. He didn’t accuse anybody of tampering with the evidence, but said that the protocol wasn’t followed.
The Brewers would have been in trouble next season if Braun had to serve a 50game suspension since the club lost free-agent slugger Prince Fielder to the Detroit Tigers in the offseason.
Written by Ian Palmer via FeedCrossing
