Ryan Braun has reportedly won his appeal, and will not be suspended for the first 50 games of the 2012 MLB season. Tom Haudricourt had it first.
According to Haudricourt, the appeal was won based on “not so much on contesting the result of the test but the testing process itself, some kind of technicality”. It’ll be interesting to see what exactly this technicality was, if we’re able to ever find out.
Obviously, this is huge news for the Milwaukee Brewers, who will now have their superstar outfielder in the fold on Opening Day. Not having Braun would be a huge detriment to Milwaukee’s attempts to repeat as NL Central champions following the free agent loss of first baseman Prince Fielder this winter.
Below is an interesting note that the MLB released in their statement following the decision. The full statement is here.
“As a part of our drug testing program, the Commissioner’s Office and the Players Association agreed to a neutral third party review for instances that are under dispute. While we have always respected that process, Major League Baseball vehemently disagrees with the decision rendered today by arbitrator Shyam Das.”
Wow. Very interesting, slightly bitter comments there from Rob Manfred.
UPDATE 1: Ken Rosenthal is tweeting out Braun’s statement, and here it is.
“It is the first step in restoring my good name and reputation. We were able to get through this because I am innocent. I have been an open book, sharing details from every aspect of my life as part of this investigation…nothing to hide. This is not just about one person, but about all current and future players, and thankfully the process worked.”
Braun will address the media on Friday from Brewers camp.
UPDATE 2: It’s also worth noting that the AP initially reported that Braun’s suspension would be upheld. Screenshot courtesy of @jennyedelston.
UPDATE 3: Ken Belson of the New York Times is reporting that the grounds that Braun appealed on was that instead of sending the positive sample within 24 hours of the positive test, the lab waited approximately 48 hours. Belson also reports that the substance Braun tested positive for was not a steroid, merely a prohibited substance.
UPDATE 4: From ESPN’s Steve Berthiaume…
Braun argued test protocol had not been followed. Collector took sample home & kept it refrigerated rather than get it to FedEx asap
Braun test sample collector thought FedEx/Kinkos was closed because it was late on a Saturday. MLB is livid and considering options.
This is getting downright comical.
Photo courtesy of Daylife.com
