Ryan Braun has won the appeal of his 50-game suspension for a positive PED test, but because we all know about it, he is still a loser.
Braun's 50-game suspension was lifted, but the stain on his name remains.
Although today’s decision by the arbitration panel will lift some of the cloud that has hovered over Braun since his positive test was revealed, you can bet many in and around the game will continue to cast a jaundiced eye at the Brewers’ left fielder. That’s because public perception is the real court room for an athlete’s image, and as soon as the initial test results were leaked, Braun’s chances of being truly exonerated were extinguished.
Like or not, Braun is going to have a hard time convincing everyone he is not a cheater. In fact, it seems as if his harshest critics reside within the hierarchy of the game itself. According to an official statement released by the sport, “Major League Baseball vehemently disagrees with the decision rendered today by arbitrator Shyam Das.” Apparently, baseball’s lack of respect for the process extends beyond issues of privacy. Instead of quietly accepting the outcome produced by the procedures it put in place, baseball’s public disavowal not only cast aspersions on the arbitrators’ decision, but served to further tarnish Braun’s name.
Unfortunately, and incredibly, major league baseball officials didn’t stop at merely criticizing the outcome. They also resorted to clandestinely releasing more confidential information pertaining to the hearing. In an ESPN article published just after the announcement, an anonymous source revealed the suspension was lifted because of a procedural mistake, not an error in science or evidence tampering. The implication of that information is clear: Braun is getting off on a technicality, not because he is innocent. As far as baseball is concerned, two leaks do make a right.
To his credit, Braun’s response was more magnanimous. In addition to expressing relief and satisfaction, the Brewers’ right fielder also credited baseball for showing “professionalism” during an “adversarial process”. Of course, that statement was released before anonymous sources within baseball’s hierarchy floated the idea of a lawsuit to overturn the ban. So much for respecting the process?
There’s no zealot like a convert. For many years, baseball, and Bud Selig in particular, took it on the chin because the sport largely ignored the issue of performance enhancing drugs. So, it’s easy to understand why MLB would overcompensate for past flaws by adopting a Machiavellian approach to PEDs. However, in this case, the end doesn’t justify the means. Regardless of whether or not Braun knowingly used a banned substance, baseball’s conduct during the process has been reprehensible. From the initial leak to the sloppy way in which the sample was handled to the belligerent response to a third-party finding, baseball has trampled on the good faith it has developed with the players’ association. For years, former MLBPA chief Donald Fehr resisted increased drug testing on the grounds of these abuses, and now baseball is doing everything in its power to prove him right.
Instead of kicking and screaming about the outcome of an independent process, Bud Selig and MLB executives like Rob Manfred would be better served by authorizing a thorough investigation into how baseball’s drug policy is administered. After all, if the sport can’t be trusted to respect privacy and maintain protocol, the entire process will eventually fall apart. Considering yesterday’s decision by the arbitrator, along side Braun’s track record of passing similar drug tests, the right fielder deserves the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, after its conduct in this case, the same can’t be said for major league baseball.
wow…I posted the same day with a very similar viewpoint. You can see by the comments I got that you and I are in the minority over how big a deal MLB’s (and specifically Rob Manfred’s) words/deed are.
Here’s a link if you’re interested:
http://www.phillyphanatics.com/2012/02/24/from-where-i-sit-braun-result-correct-mlbs-reaction-shameful/
First, MLB didn’t leak. The leak came indirectly from Braun’s camp. And MLB is now only responding to Braun’s attempt to misrepresent the case presented so as to add to the aura that he was somehow exonerated by insinuating that they argued tampering. They didn’t. Why shouldn’t MLB correct the record.
Plus, MLB shoud be pissed about this piss case. The written protocal was never broken. “Secure” location has to be interpreted as what would be available to a middle class courier. It even explicitly disallows one that would be..his car, and the protocal even gives the reasons, would be subject to extreme heat and cold. And it has to interpreted in line with standard world wide operating pratices. Piss carriers world wide use their abode, homes, for storage. This guy was especially attentive, because he took note of the heat and cold warning protocal warning, and picked a cool basement office instead of the refrigerator.
Also, if the carrier makes a reasonable effort to ship the samples asap, that could suffice to meet the except for “exceptional circumstances”, the samples “SHOULD” be shipped out the same day clause.What mattered is not how many fedex offices were open, but the status of the one he attempted to use.
Why should above be the interpretation of the written protocal. Because whatever minor imperfections one can conceive or imagine in the exact carrying out of the collection process per the wording in the protocal, they had no effect on the efficacy of the sample. Seals were not broken, ie, it was Braun’s. And the sample tested as not degraded.
Leaving the only way that synthetic testerone could get in would be that Braun put it there.
In all probability Braun is a inveterate, experienced, bordering on slobbering maniac level of doper. Up to date on cycling, masking, anticipation of testing, etc. Maybe the qualifying for playoffs new routines screwed him. A normal size guy with his swing. Real world reality
Lawyer reality is that Braun is not guily of having juiced, which means he is innocent of having juiced, which means he did not juice.
Sorry, but am not obliged to buy it.
You know the leak came from Braun’s camp? Mind sharing your source? Most of your argument is based on conjecture and what seems like an obvious bias, so I’ll go back to the facts: baseball did not abide by the procedures outlined in the CBA, so the suspension was overturned. It’s no more complicated than that.
Whatever dude. A guy interpreted MLB’s protocal (delivery has to be the same day period) to be more stringent than nessary to ensure a sample’s efficacy and integrity as set by the standard, accepted protocal. Ergo, an isolated fact which has absolutely nothing with the efficacy and integrity of Braun’s test. Conjecture and bias..Don’t give a rat’s behind about whether Braun juiced or not. Sure I suspected it as a possibility prior to his potential conviction, especially after the failed test. So, yea, that would be confirmation bias. I suspect the sun will come up in the east tommorrow morning too, and it hasn’t been convicted of it either. Bet it does tho.
I am glad you admit that the collector did not follow the protocol. With that, the case is closed, just as the independent arbitrator decided.