Ryan Braun Tests Positive for Banned Substance

By Brigham the Baseball Man | Posted Wednesday, December 14

The National League 2011 MVP is now under the microscope. Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun has tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. The test was performed during the October playoff run. The story broke when ESPN reported that Braun’s urine sample had revealed an extremely high level of a banned substance.

Braun's agent, Nez Balelo, told reporters that there was no intentional violation of league rules, hinting that an accidental ingestion of the substance may be the case. If it is found that the outfielder knowingly took the drugs, a fifty game suspension could be the penalty. Braun is appealing the case, but no accused player has ever won an appeal related to his situation.

If suspended, it goes without saying that one of baseball’s more down to earth players will have tarnished his reputation. Fans and sportswriters will place an asterisk next to his league leading .597 slugging percentage for the year. Braun, along with Brewers fans, hope that the appeal will work in their favor.