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| Just 20 days ago, the Brewers' Ryan Braun was named NL MVP. But a urine test during the NLDS against Arizona produced a positive test for steroids. |
Every time Major League Baseball seems set to stage a revival among its most skeptical fans, the ones that swore off the game after the strike of ’94, the muscular shadow of steroids comes along to rain on its parade. This time, it’s one of the game’s most beloved young stars, the reigning NL MVP, playing in the commissioner of baseball’s own home town, Milwaukee. Outfielder Ryan Braun, after failing a PED test, now finds himself in the crosshairs of suspension and disgrace. The sport is staggered.
Braun, just 20 days ago on Nov. 22, was named NL MVP for his season of 33 homers, 33 steals and a .994 OPS, leading the Brewers to the NL Central crown, hitting ahead of teammate Prince Fielder. It was during the NLDS against Arizona that he was randomly tested for steroids.
Then three weeks later, after Braun’s Brewers had been eliminated, he was told his urine sample had contained three times the testosterone to epitestosterone ratio of a normal human being and twice the level of the next highest player ever tested. The conclusion was of “synthetic testosterone” produced outside the body. Braun and his reps volunteered a second test that produced normal results.
The problem is that a second test using a fresh sample is not authorized by MLB. However, the follow-up test on the original sample, sent to World Anti-Doping Agency headquarters in Montreal, confirmed the original reading. With an automatic 50-game suspension at the start of 2012 now likely, Braun’s appeal is in the process of being heard.
He is represented by sports attorney David Cornwell, who has also represented former Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor and a couple of wayward Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger and Donte Stallworth.
Braun is a 28-year-old athlete that you want to believe. And he somehow seems confident of his position, even though the appeal process has thus far tossed an 0-for-12 shutout in favour of The Man.
Braun came out swinging. He has already told close friends in the national media and in local circles that when the truth comes out he will be vindicated. A simple mistake? A mix-up?
Braun’s lawyer has already decried the public rush to judgment that he perceives, although today’s media of which he speaks is populated by the inclusion of much irresponsible, often scathing social media, Twitter, Facebook and bloggers without borders. Through the years fans have often stampeded over each other to be the first to predict guilt and disaster for sports. The games play on.
While there is reason to believe that Braun’s spotless image will be tarnished, if, as is likely, his 50-game suspension is upheld, there are reasons that Braun’s case may not inflict as much permanent damager as some others in the past.
First, one must consider the history of baseball’s drug-testing program that has been in place since 2004, with suspensions and sanctions starting in 2005. Minor-league testing began in 2001, so since turning professional in the June 2005 draft, Braun has been tested at some level throughout his career without incident. He will get the chance to explain how it is that he never failed a previous test and how a second urine sample taken three weeks later was somehow clean of all illegal residue.
Second reason is the steady decrease in the numbers of cheaters that have been detected since mandatory testing began. In the first three seasons of random urine testing, hampered by allegations of advance warning, lax supervision while collecting samples, etc., from 2005-07, there were 23 major-league players caught and suspended, including the most famous, Rafael Palmeiro in ’05.
In the four years since then, 2008-11, including Braun’s case, there have been nine players caught. That list includes Braun, Manny Ramirez, twice, Mike Jacobs, Sergio Mitre, J.C. Romero, during the post-season in ’09 with the Phils, Eliezer Alfonzo, Pablo Ozuna and Ronny Paulino.
An example of the underlying problem players feel they have is demonstrated by the sad case of Paulino. The 30-year-old career back-up catcher was at least serviceable in an occasional starting role with the Marlins in ’09. But after his 50-game suspension in 2010, he came back again with the Mets and is expected to be non-tendered because, in the words of one member of the front office, he’s “lost power and turned into a singles hitter.”
Really? Ya think? With the major-league minimum bumped up to $480,000 (U.S.), there is huge incentive for fringe guys like that to try and cheat.
The third encouraging factor for baseball, if there can be any in a situation like this, is the fact that one of the early conspiracy suspicions, even with testing, was that baseball would protect it’s stars, throwing guys like Alex Sanchez, Neifi Perez and Mike Morse under the steroid-fuelled bus.
The fact that Braun, one of the biggest stars in baseball, an MVP, a fan icon and one of the commissioner’s personal favourites, is now teetering on the brink of disgrace and infamy, suggests the process does not play favourites which fans were suspicious of. He will likely serve 50 games.
The final damage cannot be predicted. The final result on his legacy is anyone’s guess. Until that January moment in time when Braun steps up to the microphone and truthfully explains the extraordinary events leading to his otherwise inexplicably damning PED results, the one event that can possibly salvage his heretofore squeaky-clean public image, we’re all just suggesting and pontificating with a tut-tut-tut self-righteousness that often comes across as insincere and self-serving. Time will tell.
And the truth shall set you free, Ryan Braun.
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