Tom Haudricourt was 1st to report that Ryan Braun was the 1st player in MLB to ever have a positive drug test overturned. Haudricort reports that,
Though the drug testing process is supposed to be confidential, because of leaks of the positive test and hearing, the Major League Baseball Players Association released a statement that Braun won his appeal. The union confirmed it was a 2-1 vote.
That statement read: “Under the Joint Drug Agreement, a player’s successful challenge to a suspension normally would not have been made public. The parties have agreed, given the particulars of this case, that an announcement is appropriate.”
There was a bit of confusion due to the AP reporting due to a typo that Braun lost his appeal but it was soon rectified.
Braun later released a statement saying, “it is the first step in restoring my good name and reputation. we were able to get through this bec i an innocent …”
Rob Manfred who is the MLB executive VP for labor relations released a statement courtesy of AOL SportingNews saying,
“Major League Baseball considers the obligations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program essential to the integrity of our game, our Clubs and all of the players who take the field. It has always been Major League Baseball’s position that no matter who tests positive, we will exhaust all avenues in pursuit of the appropriate discipline. We have been true to that position in every instance, because baseball fans deserve nothing less.
“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.”
The NY Daily News has a nice article that explains what Braun’s defense was centered on. It’s a good read that I recommend reading. Here is an excerpt.
Braun’s defense centered around his claim that the test administered to him in the Brewers’ clubhouse was compromised during the chain of custody, including the claim that after the urine sample was collected by representatives of Comprehensive Drug Testing, Inc. (CDT), it sat in the home of one of the collectors for two days before being shipped by FedEx to the World Anti-Doping Laboratory in Montreal for analysis.
16 comments
Mr North Jersey
2/23/2012-5:54pm at 5:54 pm (UTC -4)
So I’m reading that though he won his appeal it seems that it was due to what some describe as a technicality over chain of custody.
Which is not to say the test itself was bad but that his sample may have been tainted when that chain was broken. So to use a word from TRS he “technically” won but in the court of public opinion that may be a whole other story.
I expect MLB to release a statement on this if they haven’t already.
Mr North Jersey
2/23/2012-6:09pm at 6:09 pm (UTC -4)
Here is what I expect will be the 1st of many tweets that share the same thoughts.
Drew Silva @drewsilv
I want to believe Ryan Braun is innocent, but he won on a claim that his urine went on a two-day testosterone binge in a fridge somewhere.
http://twitter.com/#!/drewsilv/statuses/172817992730673153
Mr North Jersey
2/23/2012-6:23pm at 6:23 pm (UTC -4)
As I continue to reflect on this I guess the argument about the levels testing high due to some medicine he was taking for a STD is swept under the rug?
stick
2/23/2012-9:41pm at 9:41 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, certainly sounds like the “of course he is guilty but got off on a technicality” deal. so I guess the lame excuse why it shouldn’t count is not needed.
look at it this way. They basically already admitted he flunked, by claiming it was some medicinal reason. So now they are trying to make this ruling imply that he was innocent?
BS, and the public is not going to buy it
Hazmet
2/23/2012-9:43pm at 9:43 pm (UTC -4)
In more legal news circle March 5th
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/NY-judge-to-decide-on-MetsMadoff-trial-by-March-5-19602160
MetsFan4Decades
2/23/2012-10:55pm at 10:55 pm (UTC -4)
Well, color me surprised. No way I thought he’d win.
So he got away with an apparent failure due to a technicality? Safe to assume that collecter is on the unemployment line.
NJstuckinTX
2/23/2012-11:01pm at 11:01 pm (UTC -4)
This would probably be a bigger story here had Braun won the batting title over Reyes.
gategem
2/24/2012-1:01am at 1:01 am (UTC -4)
There was an anonymous report that the test also found that Braun was pregnant. Hmmmm.
gategem
2/24/2012-2:27am at 2:27 am (UTC -4)
Here is something that will bring a smile to all our hearts.
“The focus in spring training will be on better execution, such as a leading the league in sacrifice bunting by 10 rather than simply being even with the league leaders.”
http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/2/23/2818369/terry-collins-wants-the-mets-to-lead-the-league-in-sacrifice-bunts
trs86
2/24/2012-6:08am at 6:08 am (UTC -4)
Screw me…
NJstuckinTX
2/24/2012-9:07am at 9:07 am (UTC -4)
1st, no. 2nd, I had the same reaction. This team has some potential boppers. Can’t wait to see Duda trying to move over Davis to squeak out a 1 run inning! ;P
MetsFan4Decades
2/24/2012-7:39am at 7:39 am (UTC -4)
I heard TCs interview when he was talking about that. I didn’t come away with the same impression AA has.
I got the impression Terry was talking about 100% success rate on execution for sac bunts – when it’s called for such as a pitcher up at bat. Not that he was going to be bunting all with position players to lead the league in that category.
Watching all games last year it appeared to me that pitchers failed miserably at getting any bunts down.
trs86
2/24/2012-7:46am at 7:46 am (UTC -4)
I sure hope so.
Stick
2/24/2012-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
i hope you are right. but I still don’t trust him.
Stick
2/24/2012-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
well, if that is a true quote, I am going to make “fire Terry” my year long mission.
I should be able to just just off the fire jerry signs, and turn the J into a T, right?
they are a team built on power at this point. Not slapping singles around, playing for 1 run. especially with weak pitching. Pile up runs, don’t try to play for a 2-1 final.
SaltyGary
2/24/2012-9:15am at 9:15 am (UTC -4)
GUILTY!!!