Ryan Braun Tests Positive for PEDs

[BrewCity83]

Don't think it was herpes, Ron Mexico never failed a drug test.

Or did he have a waiver from the league and thus no "failed drug test" was announced?

[Funky Cold Medina]

BOOYEAH!  Braun wins appeal!

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/140213003.html

[dwaderoy2004]

apparently on a technicality...

[TallTitan34]

Complete joke.

Allows a player to have 4 times the normal levels of testosterone.

They set a dangerous precedent today.

[BrewCity83]

Just wait until the whole story comes out.  Then you can declare whether it's a complete joke or not.  I think all of you who declare this a complete joke without knowing what really happened are a complete joke.

[dwaderoy2004]

I guess. The article says he got off on some kind of technicality.  Certainly sounds a little BS to me.

[TallTitan34]

MLB released a statement where they "strongly disagree" with the third party's decision to overturn it. 

[robmufan]

It is all Union BS!

[dwaderoy2004]

They actually "vehemently disagree".

[Warriors10]

They set a dangerous precedent today.

No such thing as precedent in arbitration cases.

[BrewCity83]

They actually "vehemently disagree".

Of course they do...they lost their case.

[cheebs09]

According to national writers on twitter, the defense centered around the chain of custody being broken for 2 days and left unprotected. With the rumor that there were two other Brewers who had very high levels, but were thrown out, it could be fairly reasonable to assume someone tampered with it.

[TallTitan34]

Of course they do...they lost their case.

They disagree because it makes the steroid testing process a complete joke.

[Benny B]

Given a) the money involved with pro sports contracts, b) the litigious nature of our society, and c) the willingness in sports to cave on any matter of principal so long as you're compensated --- if just one test can be overturned on a technicality - be that a technicality in due process or the in the testing process itself - every athlete's agent will attempt to use that result as precedent as to why their client's test was inaccurate/questionable/invalid/etc in the future, and honestly, I don't think MLB has the resources or desire to defend its policy against a bombardment of test appeals, even if the appeals have no merit whatsoever.  I hate making slippery slope arguments, but there's significant value to the WADA and MLB in the deterrent that 0 for 12 on appeals has on those contemplating an appeal.  Unless one player is greater than the MLB drug-testing policy, Braun is going to be the sacrificial lamb if he has any level of culpability whatsoever.

The only way Braun and MLB can come out unscathed is if there was deliberate misconduct or fraud by the WADA and some scientist in Montreal goes to jail.

------
From ESPN.com:

"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," Manfred said. "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."
------

As I predicted (although not by the exact method), MLB is throwing Braun under the bus to cover its own ass.  "Ass" being their sham drug testing policy.

I'm happy for Braun.  But I'm pissed at MLB... and Congress needs to be recalling Bud Selig for testimony because MLB has represented that they have this cutting-edge drug testing policy.  If anybody is under the illusion that MLB has this "tough on PED" policy, I have some beachfront property in the Yukon I'd like to sell you.

[TallTitan34]

No such thing as precedent in arbitration cases.

How can you say it doesn't set a precedent?  If you test positive, find a technicality and you are free.

[Benny B]

How can you say it doesn't set a precedent?  If you test positive, find a technicality and you are free.

Agreed.... the worldwide leader is already speculating that past tests could be re-opened.  Pandora's box is full of worms.... this could get quite nasty for MLB.

[MUONTOP]

Agreed.... the worldwide leader is already speculating that past tests could be re-opened.  Pandora's box is full of worms.... this could get quite nasty for MLB.

Right, because an arbitration system with a 0% chance of success on appeal is a much better policy  Science isn't perfect and mistakes can be made. Everyone already has the same chance to appeal, this changes nothing and sets no precedent other than proving the system works.

[dwaderoy2004]

This isn't science.

[4everwarriors]

Agreed.... the worldwide leader is already speculating that past tests could be re-opened.  Pandora's box is full of worms.... this could get quite nasty for MLB.

Does Pandora have a STD?

[NavinRJohnson]

They disagree because it makes the steroid testing process a complete joke.

The same process they agreed to, and are now doing all they can to undermine? When Sosa and mcGuire were making everyone rich they turned a blind eye. Now that they have an agreed upon process in place they can't criticize it enough. Embarrassing.

[wadesworld]

http://danny-knobler.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/34964084

[DJO's Pump Fake]

Love that article!

[dwaderoy2004]

I love the part where it says we don't know if braun is clean.

[MUMac]

I love the part where it says we don't know if braun is clean.

We don't know if he is dirty, either.  You and others have jumped on that.  I think there are irregularities here that MLB needs to explain.  They are the ones so critical.  I guess if they botched the control and handling procedures, they WOULD want to focus the light somewhere else.

[dwaderoy2004]

Except they didn't.  You trust a courier with a package.  They knew where the package was the entire time.  If you trust a courier for two hours, why is he suddenly not trustworthy for 48.  The testing facility received the samples completely sealed and showing no signs of tampering or degradation.  There has to be more to the story, because based on what we know so far, it doesn't make sense.