December 10, 2011

NL MVP Ryan Braun tests positive for performing enhancing drugs.:
Major League Baseball has not announced the positive test because Braun is disputing the result through arbitration....The 28-year-old Braun had to provide a urine sample for testing during the playoffs, and he was notified of the positive test sometime in late October -- about a month before he was named the National League's most valuable player.

posted by grum@work to baseball at 11:17 PM - 9 comments

Not going to be a fun first 50 games for the Brewers next year...Fielder gone, Braun suspended. Ouch.

posted by TheQatarian at 11:56 PM on December 10, 2011

Now, though, he's looking at a 50-game suspension to open the 2012 season, and, of course, all sorts of questions about what role steroids have played in his success.

The baggage will always be there, even if he is proved innocent through arbitration. A-Rod used steroids back in 2003, and he's still labeled.

posted by roberts at 08:00 AM on December 11, 2011

It hasn't certainly paid off for him since he won the MVP award. How many players wouldn't make that bargain?

posted by bperk at 09:11 AM on December 11, 2011

This is heartbreaking to all Brewers fans. He was supposed to be the team leader going into the future, a shining example of humility and talent and confidence and sportsmanship, wrapped up in a charismatic package. If it's true, and if he loses the appeal, it's just such a disillusioning moment.

posted by evixir at 10:14 PM on December 11, 2011

Again, is anyone shocked? Really? Keep hanging on to the "At least Albert Pujols is clean and would never use performance enhancers" belief and that should keep you going a couple more months.

posted by dyams at 07:11 AM on December 12, 2011

Will Carroll explains baseball's current testing regimen in relation to Braun. Fun factoid: They watch players pee.

posted by rcade at 08:47 AM on December 12, 2011

the testing process did not differentiate between a 6:1, 12:2, or 24:4 ratio

Did I miss a math class or can someone explain to me what the difference is between those ratios?

posted by yerfatma at 11:36 AM on December 12, 2011

Boosting epitestosterone made it possible to boost testosterone without causing the T/E ratio check to trigger further scrutiny.

posted by rcade at 11:59 AM on December 12, 2011

Will Carroll explains baseball's current testing regimen in relation to Braun. Fun factoid: They watch players pee.

That may be more confused. If he is appealing, then he tested positive. If he tested positive, then presumably they tested his "B" sample and found the exogenous testerone, right?

posted by bperk at 02:34 PM on December 12, 2011

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