Ryan Braun NL MVP tests positive for PED

[San]

Ryan Braun’s initial PED test results were ‘insanely high,’ NL MVP’s lawyer insists client did not take PEDs
 
Outfielder's test results were twice the level of highest test ever taken: source

BY Teri Thompson
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Originally Published: Sunday, December 11 2011, 4:05 PM
Updated: Sunday, December 11 2011, 5:03 PM

Milwaukee Brewers' star outfielder 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, twice the level of the highest test ever taken," said a source familiar with the developing case in which Ryan was reported to have tested positive for an elevated level of testosterone caused by a synthetic substance, triggering a possible 50-game suspension if the test results are upheld.

The never-before-seen ratio, according to the source, is one of several "highly unusual circumstances" Braun's camp has referred to when adamantly denying that the National League Most Valuable Player ingested a performance-enhancing drug that caused the positive test. His spokesman, Matthew Hiltzick said Saturday after ESPN reported that Braun had tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance: "There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely no intentional violation of the program. ... we are confident he will ultimately be exonerated."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/ryan-braun-initial-ped-test-results-insanely-high-nl-mvp-lawyer-insists-client-peds-article-1.990020#ixzz1gH67ShSH

[San]

Ryan Braun tests positive for PED

National League MVP Ryan Braun, who last season led the Milwaukee Brewers to their first division title in nearly three decades, has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and faces a 50-game suspension if the initial finding is upheld, two sources familiar with the case told "Outside the Lines."

Major League Baseball has not announced the positive test because Braun is disputing the result through arbitration.

A spokesman for Braun confirmed the positive test Saturday and issued a statement: "There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely no intentional violation of the program. While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident he will ultimately be exonerated."

USA Today reported Saturday night that Braun said of the test result: "It's B.S."

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.

The Baseball Writers Association of America, who votes on the award, will not strip Braun of his MVP if he gets suspended.

"I got the same question after Ken Caminiti came clean about his steroids usage, and whether we should give the 1996 MVP award instead to (second-place finisher) Mike Piazza," BBWAA secretary-treasurer Jack O'Connell told The Los Angeles Times. "The answer is no."

The positive result was triggered by elevated levels of testosterone in Braun's system, the sources told "Outside the Lines." A subsequent, more comprehensive test revealed the testosterone was synthetic -- not produced by Braun's body.

 ::snipping2::

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/7338271/ryan-braun-milwaukee-brewers-tests-positive-performance-enhancing-drug

[San]

Ryan Braun tests positive for PED, says 'It's BS'



Ryan Braun, the 2011 National League Most Valuable player and the cornerstone of the Milwaukee Brewers' franchise, tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and could face a 50-game suspension to begin 2012, a blow for the Brewers and a sport that seemed to put the worst of its steroid era behind it.

Braun, however, plans a vigorous defense of the positive test. He will appeal any suspension and on Saturday night told USA TODAY of the result: "It's BS."

ESPN first reported that Braun had tested positive, and that he'd provided a urine sample during the 2011 playoffs, then was informed of the positive result in late October. A source told ESPN the positive result came about from elevated levels of testosterone in Braun's system, and a subsequent test revealed the testosterone was synthetic.

Braun, 28, who was aware of ESPN's forthcoming report, issued a statement via his agency:

"There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely no intentional violation of the program. While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident he will ultimately be exonerated."

Braun topped the Dodgers' Matt Kemp in NL MVP balloting, after he hit .332 with 33 homers and 111 RBI. During the season, the Brewers signed Braun to a five-year, $105 million extension that would keep him in Milwaukee through 2020.

In his first five major league seasons, Braun has averaged 36 homers, 118 RBI and a .563 slugging percentage.

He becomes the first reigning MVP to test positive for performance-enhancing drugs, though many award-winners through the early part of this century -- Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi, to name a few -- either tested positive for steroids or were strongly linked to them through legal proceedings or investigations.

 ::snipping2::

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2011/12/ryan-braun-steroids-50-game-suspension-appeal/1

[San]

They need to start stripping away these players statistics.  Make new rules where his MVP award gets taken away.

All these players that won awards because of performance enhancement drugs should never be allowed in the Hall of Fame.

Also, in my opinion the the single season Home Run King is still Roger Maris and Hank Aaron is still the all time Home Run King.

Have the guts to take the records away or put an asterisk next to their name.