Ryan Braun's A Free Man

Ryan Braun’s A Free Man

Go on, Ryan, flee, run to Mexico and work on your boat and wear Affliction tees and drink all day because you’re free! But this is getting off track, the fact of the matter is that Ryan Braun’s PED test was overturned and the NL MVP’s name has been cleared. At least, it is if you believe in the way the justice system works. If you don’t, well, I’m not sure you will ever really be satisfied. But just like when you drunkenly accuse your best friend of trying to steal your hair to make into a wig and sell, things are a little awkward now between us and Braun.

It’s not completely shocking news either. After our late-90s heroes were destroyed in front of our faces, too many people, myself included, jumped on the wagon and assumed that Braun was guilty. Even though the news leaked out before a proper appeal could be heard. Even though Braun’s testosterone levels were multiple times higher than one would reasonably expect a steroid users to be. We should have been more skeptical.

Said Braun in his statement:

“I am very pleased and relieved by today’s decision.

“It is the first step in restoring my good name and reputation. We were able to get through this because I am innocent and the truth is on our side.

“We provided complete cooperation throughout, despite the highly unusual circumstances.

“I have been an open book, willing to share details from every aspect of my life as part of this investigation, because I have nothing to hide. I have passed over 25 drug tests in my career, including at least three in the past year.

The real issue here though isn’t for the writers making a judgement with the information that was available, it was that the information was public at all. As the players agreed to in 2003, the test results are to be kept confidential until an appeal can been heard so that no player has his name needlessly dragged through mud. Whether through a “loophole” as some believe Braun used, a false positive, or any other reason, the player has a contractual right to confront these charges before they’re made public. While the appeals process worked, Braun’s reputation will forever be sullied.

Naturally, because MLB and their drug testing program need to remain above the fray, they’re a little upset about the whole situation:

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.”

And I understand, they have to do that. They don’t want every Tom, Dick, and Harry in the Major Leagues (surprisingly, there is only one active player among that particular triumverate, Thomas Field), deciding that it’s time to start dosing again. Baseball also needs to look tough in the public’s eye if their steroid testing is going to seem legitimate at all. But that’s why there’s an appeals process. Because humans make mistakes. And just because someone tested positive doesn’t mean they are.

As Peter Gammons noted on Twitter:

“If the testing is not foolproof and perfect, it becomes a human rights issue. Braun is innocent because he was not 100 per cent guilty.”

Sure, maybe Braun is a steroids user and unless he tests positive again, we’ll never know. But the evidence was in his favor today and so he will not be punished. As it should be.

Anyway, now that the nightmare is over, we can finally go back to discussing Ryan Braun for the two things he’s known for: his gorgeous swing and incredibly poor taste in beverages. And isn’t that all that really matters?