Braun tests positive for PED | Presser update pg. 42

[crkone]

So the sample wasn't shipped in a timely fashion and that swayed the arbitrator?

[Buck You]

Jon Heyman‏@JonHeymanCBS

part of braun's argument was that the chain of custody was broken for 2 days, meaning the sample was left unprotected

LaRussa, I knew it!

[trwi7]

John Axford‏@JohnAxford
All I can say is that Braun has exemplary character is continuing to handle this in an unbelievable manner. #ThereBetterBeSomeApologies

[El Duderino]

Braun statement: "It is the first step in restoring my good name and reputation. We were able to get through this because I am innocent."

Just wait though, i have zero doubt that fans of other teams will foolishly say that Bud Selig had something to do with helping out the former team he owned.

[humanrefutation]

I also let out an audible gasp when I got the tweet. I was in a class and had to visibly restrain myself from jumping for joy. As the message began to filter to other people in the class, you could see the same looks of shock/joy on their faces.

This is stunning. Absolutely stunning. **** you, MLB. **** you, ESPN.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

Jon Heyman‏@JonHeymanCBS

part of braun's argument was that the chain of custody was broken for 2 days, meaning the sample was left unprotected

In Olympic doping cases that usually results in a successful arbitration. The chain of custody is very important.

[kid idioteque]

[dinderdan]

Hell yeah... I was in a good mood already and this news tops it off. Go Brew Crew!!

[trwi7]

Rodgers wants to beat the crap out of MLB and ESPN.

https://twitter.com/#!/AaronRodgers12/s ... 7518572544

https://twitter.com/#!/AaronRodgers12/s ... 8597098496

[paulpressey25]

So the sample wasn't shipped in a timely fashion and that swayed the arbitrator?

As a Brewer fan I'm thrilled. But all I can think about is this.....

[JayMKE]

Hey ESPN, tell me how my ass taste

[ReasonablySober]

ESPN justs pissing the ever loving **** outta me right now.

[humanrefutation]

ESPN justs pissing the ever loving **** outta me right now.

[Dwade03]

So the sample wasn't shipped in a timely fashion and that swayed the arbitrator?

As a Brewer fan I'm thrilled. But all I can think about is this.....

[humanrefutation]

Anyone see Kruk and Kurkjian? They basically pettifogged the whole decision by accusing Braun of getting off on a technicality. Once again, rushing to judgment.

[paulpressey25]

Here is the key part of this.....I'm not sure how many other guys had their samples handled this way.

".....According to one of the sources, the collector, after getting Braun's sample, was supposed to take the sample to FedEx/Kinkos for shipping but thought it was closed because it was late on a Saturday. As has occurred in some other instances, the collector took the sample home and kept it refrigerated. Policy states that the sample is supposed to get to FedEx as soon as possible.

[humanrefutation]

Here is the key part of this.....I'm not sure how many other guys had their samples handled this way.

".....According to one of the sources, the collector, after getting Braun's sample, was supposed to take the sample to FedEx/Kinkos for shipping but thought it was closed because it was late on a Saturday. As has occurred in some other instances, the collector took the sample home and kept it refrigerated. Policy states that the sample is supposed to get to FedEx as soon as possible.

Yep. Chain of custody is very important, because without it, you cannot maintain the integrity of the test.

[humanrefutation]

Further, this:

A source familiar with MLB’s drug policy indicated there were only a few ways to overturn a positive test, such as proving a chain-of-custody issue, a flaw in the collection process or providing proof that the player’s team signed off on the substance. Otherwise, the “strict liability” aspect of the policy makes it extremely difficult to exonerate a player.

That may have been the reason why he focused on the chain-of-custody issue, because it was the easiest thing for him to prove. That doesn't mean that he didn't have other legitimate grounds.

[paulpressey25]

Yep. Chain of custody is very important, because without it, you cannot maintain the integrity of the test.

Given that this isn't a criminal proceeding and Ryan Braun isn't a potential threat to society in any way, I'm fine with this ruling because they screwed up the chain of custody badly here.

But I'm not sure this necessarily helps Braun's image all that much. Unless they can somehow prove that the chemistry of his sample was physically altered by being in the refrigerator of the collection person, which is possible. Or they could claim the collection agent spiked the test to wrongly impugn Braun. But both of those will have harder audiences.

[trwi7]

Here is the key part of this.....I'm not sure how many other guys had their samples handled this way.

".....According to one of the sources, the collector, after getting Braun's sample, was supposed to take the sample to FedEx/Kinkos for shipping but thought it was closed because it was late on a Saturday. As has occurred in some other instances, the collector took the sample home and kept it refrigerated. Policy states that the sample is supposed to get to FedEx as soon as possible.

I think there has to be more to it than this. I don't think Das sides with Braun if this is all there is.