SubscribeThe (tentative) results are in on Braun
According to news reports — most of which quote the TMZ celebrity watching outlet — Braun’s positive results for high levels of testosterone were due to”medication he’s taking for a private medical issue — NOT performance enhancing drugs … this according to sources directly connected with Major League Baseball.”
The TMZ story continues:
“One source simply told us … “The medication contained banned substances resulting in the positive test.” We’re also told prior to taking the dirty test, Braun had always tested negative for banned substances.
“The nature of Braun’s medical ailment is unclear.
“It’s also unclear if the Milwaukee Brewers star knew the substances were in his medication before he took it — though it seems highly unlikely.”
Just as I’m dubious about the anonymous sources that ratted out Braun in the first palce, I wish we could have names attached to MLB that released the info TMZ published.
The Brew Crew blog on the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (which would seem to have a vested interest in the matter) posted this piece, which includes a link to a very detailed explanation of PEDs by Will Carroll that appeared in Sports Illustrated.
The upshot is that while the court of public opinion might be in Braun’s favor, the letter of the law dictates that he did indeed use a banned substance and should be banned, as unfair as it may appear given the explanation.
Unless Braun isn’t that bright, and we’ve never been given that indication before, I don’t think he knowingly used something after his previous comments on A-Rod and the steroid era. Perhaps by the letter of the law he is still guilty in the eyes of MLB, but if Braun’s team can prove it was prescribed medication at fault, Maybe Selig and company can cut him some slack, especially after most likely violating their own confidentiality rules. Either way, I get the sense some fans and media out there will still treat Braun as guilty. Unfortunate, but a large segment of the public seems to rejoice in the downfall of others without looking at the whole picture.