Braun tests positive for PED | Presser update pg. 42

[Hatchins]

Ryan Braun's original test for performance-enhancing drugs as the playoffs were winding down in October was "insanely high, the highest ever for anyone who has ever taken a test," a source said.

Not sure if this was said already, but I think it warrants a discussion.

[LUKE23]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/135417828.html

Ryan Braun's agency is not messing around in its attempt to help him overturn a positive drug test by MLB that threatens to levy a 50-game suspension on him to start next season.

Reps for the Brewers' all-star left fielder have hired famed professional athletes' attorney David Cornwell, who has defended the likes of Reggie Bush, Randy Moss and Gilbert Arenas in their various legal entanglements.

Cornwell put out one statement, simply saying, "Any report that Ryan ingested a performance-enhancing drug is wrong."

And that element will be part of Braun's defense. His side is adamant that the prohibited substance he took was not a PED or steroid of any kind. MLB's position will be that a banned substance is a banned substance, whether technically a PED or not. And if you've taken a banned substance, even unknowingly, you are subject to suspension.

Braun's defense team understandably is keeping its strategy under wraps. But, after talking with a few folks familiar with the case, I'm pretty certain of some of the points Cornwell will be making.

The early-October test that was positive for Braun revealed such an abnormally, almost off-the-charts level of testosterone, it can be argued as being invalid or tainted. When apprised of the positive result a couple of weeks later, Braun requested an immediate retesting, which was normal. So, he could argue that so much testosterone could not have completely disappeared, which of course can be debated.

Also, because there was no evidence of increased testosterone in Braun's requested test, it will be argued that he couldn't have injected anything into his body because traces would still be there. Thus, you could argue it had to be taken orally, and therefore a supplement might have been tainted without Braun's knowledge. That argument has been made without success by players in the past, but it's better than nothing.

So, expect Cornwell to argue about the distinction between those two tests. Also, he will point out tht Braun has been subject to many drug tests since being drafted in 2005 and never failed one. After so many all-star seasons in which he tested clean, why would Braun start cheating suddenly in October (a question, by the way, that has folks on management side also scratching their heads)?

These are some of the arguments you can bet will be made before a three-man arbitration panel in January. And we will have to wait until then to learn the verdict. Thus far, I am told by an MLB source, players are 0-12 in overturning positive tests, not a good sign for Braun and the Brewers.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Braun's argument, though they may be true, is pretty weak as a defense.

[Hatchins]

Braun's argument, though they may be true, is pretty weak as a defense.

Yeah, he's pretty screwed. He can't go through everything he put in his mouth obviously. So all he has is a clean record for basically his entire career, and what seems to be a faulty test imo. I'm not doctor, but how can you go from insanely how to normal in 2 weeks, and have no trace of anything in your body?

[MickeyDavis]

Sounds as if whatever he actually took he took too much.

[LUKE23]

See to me, I view it as a the opposite. The test being double the normal level to me sounds more like the test was messed up.

[trwi7]

He better have more to the case than that because there's no way he's going to win if that's all there is.

[MikeIsGood]

He better have more to the case than that because there's no way he's going to win if that's all there is.

Agreed...

[Hatchins]

Let's note that, those were just what some journalist thought the main points would be. He's no lawyer obviously.

[Aaron It Out]

From Wiretap, via JS

A person close to the situation claims that Brewers left fielder and reigning National League MVP Ryan Braun will be cleared during the appeal process of his positive test for performance-enhancing drugs.

The source said the information of his positive test never should have been made public.

If Braun's suspension is upheld, it would start at the beginning of the 2012 regular season.

Brewers spokesman Tyler Barnes said the club had not been informed by the commissioner's office that Braun tested positive for a banned substance and faced a suspension.

A second test requested by Braun was negative and was being used in the appeal process to overturn the first results.

The source also indicated the banned substance was not a performance-enhancing drug.

"The truth will prevail; I really feel good about that," said the source. "It just stinks that this got out before the appeal process is finished. Initial positive tests have been overturned before, proving the player is innocent, and nobody ever knows."

[Hatchins]

That's a great point. If there were one's that were overturned, why would it ever get out?

[BUCKnation]

See to me, I view it as a the opposite. The test being double the normal level to me sounds more like the test was messed up.

agreed. wasnt it like double the highest ever or something like that. Sounds really flukey

[Newz]

See to me, I view it as a the opposite. The test being double the normal level to me sounds more like the test was messed up.

How could the test be that messed up without something in his system though?

I'm not even asking as a "you are wrong" type of things or saying he's guilty. I just have no clue how the hell something like that would happen.

It's hard to believe that the test is correct, because how the **** would his results be twice as high?

[MilBucksBackOnTop06]

Sounds as if whatever he actually took he took too much.

He too too much? Too much of what?

In October....?

Why would he take whatever he 'allegedly' took in October after being clean his entire career?

A swift kick in the a-- to ESPN for breaking this story too soon, even before the Brewers knew of it.

Braun has a case if you ask me.

[trwi7]

Everyone needs to read this post.

http://brewersfandemonium.yuku.com/srep ... sion-Lates

[MilBucksBackOnTop06]

That's a great point. If there were one's that were overturned, why would it ever get out?

Not enough evidence. I think the rules are geared to not let anyone get out of a suspension and prove or overturn the results and suspension...regardless to what excuse or reason they give right or wrong.

Braun could have very well not taken a banned substance but these are the tighter rules that will not allow him to present a case to overturn the suspension no matter what he says.

Selig is in a pickle...if he lets Braun go they will cite how he will have broken a precedent by helping a Brewers player out of all the players charged in the past, who comes from the team he used to own from his hometown Milwaukee.

Surely someone will point out a conspiracy if Selig lets him off. This could get messy. I hope Selig would remove himself from the decision making process in this matter to save himself some strong ridicule in this one year or two from his retirement.

[mattg]

if any conspiracy theory gets made regarding Braun, it will have to do with him being jewish.

[Aaron It Out]

Well, Braun is in the middle of an appeal process right now. So unless I'm mistaken that means he actually is currently in the middle of presenting a case to overturn the suspension.

If Braun gets out of the suspension it will have nothing to do with any past suspensions where guys like Manny and other older vets nearing the end of their career get caught. Everybody else seems to use the "I never KNOWINGLY took any banned substances." But Braun's case is more along the lines of "This is BS, there's no results were so insane they can't be accurate, here's another test soon after that date that shows I'm clean."

It may or may not work, who knows. But I hope it does.

[LUKE23]

Personally, I think Braun is innocent. That may be homer bias talking, but everything here just doesn't' add up for him using. That said, if he is guilty, I would disown him as a player, as painful as that would be. For as much as we have touted him and raved at his ability, it would be devastating to find out he was cheating.

[coolhandluke121]

I have the same dilemma. I just find it really hard to believe that he's cheating, but I'm probably biased because he's been one of my favorite athletes in any sport.

I wonder what percentage of other players think he's guilty.