Synthetic Braun

It’s a sad day in baseball, as a lot of people are finding out 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun has tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. He had to give a urine sample for the playoffs and it tested positive for elevated testosterone levels. The sad part is that it was not all produced naturally, some was synthetic meaning he juiced, he had taken steroids. Another sad thing, other than Braun actually doing the drug and cheating the game of baseball as it is a banned substance, but Braun knew of this in late October, yet accepted his MVP award like he nothing happened. How much was due to steroid use? I say they probably didn’t help his career too much as he has been a great player even back in his college days and Miami U, but it certainly could have given him the edge to beat out Matt Kemp in the MVP race. I believe and have believed that Kemp should have won, yet I was happy for Braun, until I learned of this revelation. I’m not saying everyone is clean, but it not only hurts Braun’s reputation, it hurts the game of baseball. One of its brightest young stars who just signed a deal for over $100 million last offseason is now facing a 50 game suspension to start next season, and people will continue to speculate how clean the game really is. Steroid talk has seemed to die down a bit since the scandals of Barry Bonds, Mark Mcgwire, Roger Clemens, and other big names had been discovered users. Ironic how Manny Ramirez, whom retired after his 2^nd positive test last year is being reinstated to play this upcoming season after serving a 50 game suspension and signing with a team. Clean the game up men, you get paid to play a beautiful game for a living, don’t stain the game, if you can’t hack it then get out of the game. What ever happened to plain old hard work? This is sad, I hope it’s an isolated incident and everyone else is representing the game well. I’m a big Brewers fan, so this definitely leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Note I am not saying 100% that Braun is guilty, but in all I hear it seems like that is the case.