Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun, who won the 2011 National League MVP Award, has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug (PED) according to ESPN.
To affirm the results and strengthen its case, MLB asked the World Anti-Doping Agency lab in Montreal, which conducts its testing, to perform a secondary test to determine whether the testosterone spike resulted from natural variations within Braun’s body or from an artificial source. The test indicated the testosterone was exogenous, meaning it came from outside his body.
Braun is denying the positive test and appealing the finding.
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.”
The benefit of doubt no longer goes to the player after what we all witnessed and experienced during the steroid era of baseball.
