Ryan Braun Named NL MVP

[MiamiHomer]

Hurricanes represent!

[Ecpot]

Matt Kemp should've won.

[Ramp]

yupppp

[Metes]

Gotta make the playoffs big boy

[Beef]

Keep it in the Miami Hurricanes thread

[Ramp]

Gotta make the playoffs big boy

nah, you don't

[Metes]

You obviously aren't a BBWA (or a golfer)

[Ecpot]

We just don't understand baseball according to the BBWA

[MiamiHomer]

It could have gone either way and I wouldn't have had an issue with it.

[Ecpot]

I have an issue with the fucking narrative, I can't stand them.

[Bobbob1313]

Yeah, definitely should have been Kemp.

[Hugg]

TheRealMattKemp Matt Kemp
They don't know who they messin wit!!!!! They jus created a monster!!Lol. #BEASTMODE don't care!!

YAWL DON'T KNOW WHO YOU MESSIN WIT!!!!!


I'm glad Braun won because he doesn't send tweets with 40 exclamation points and #BEASTMODE in them.

[Fritz]

How valuable can Kemp be if he doesn't magically make his shitty team better?

[Beef]

YAWL DON'T KNOW WHO YOU MESSIN WIT!!!!!


I'm glad Braun won because he doesn't send tweets with 40 exclamation points and #BEASTMODE in them.

I dislike any tweet that includes a lol after a sentence. Anyway, he gon take names and not forget, like LeBron.

[Fritz]

Mental notes!!!!!!!!! lol #4thah8as

[Hugg]

National League MVP Ryan Braun, who last season led the Milwaukee Brewers to their first division title in nearly three decades, has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and faces a 50-game suspension if the initial finding is upheld, two sources familiar with the case told "Outside the Lines."

Major League Baseball has not announced the positive test because Braun is disputing the result through arbitration.

A spokesman for Braun issued a statement Saturday: "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 28-year-old Braun had to provide a urine sample for testing during the playoffs, and he was notified of the positive test sometime in late October -- about a month before he was named the National League's most valuable player.

The positive result was triggered by elevated levels of testosterone in Braun's system, the sources also told "Outside the Lines." A subsequent, more comprehensive test revealed the testosterone was synthetic -- not produced by Braun's body.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/7338271/ryan-braun-milwaukee-brewers-tests-positive-performance-enhancing-drug

[MiamiHomer]

So that's the bombshell Bob Nightengale was referring to.

[jOOj]

Da U.

[MiamiHomer]

We dirty.

So the Brewers are screwed next season if this is upheld.
--------------------
injuryexpert Will Carroll
Braun has tested above the normal ratio for testosterone. Appealing. Not a steroid positive.


...

[Miamarlin21]

Very screwed.

[Swifty]

Manny never tested positive for a "steroid" either, Will Carroll. Sometimes it's silly how biased the media can be. You've got a lot of explaining to do if you have elevated levels of testosterone that, upon subsequent testing, are shown to be synthetic.

[Big Z]

I think we need more info. I don't think Braun is that stupid.

[Bobbob1313]

Why is he not that stupid? Why does he earn the benefit of the doubt?

[dim]

Well, there goes one of the few Jewish players chances at the Hall of Fame someday.

[Mainge]

Sorry Beef; Ramp.

[Fritz]

First Judas, now Braun.

[MiamiHomer]

jasonjwilde Jason Wilde
More troubling news on Braun: Lives next door to Reggie. RT @ReggieMillerTNT: Just spoke with my neighbor Ryan Braun, he says test is bogus.


:lol

[jOOj]

TNT is all over the drama.

[marlins_virus.exe]

Sorry Beef; Ramp.
I could use some consoling too

[The Hanram]

I could use some consoling too

We'll all sit shiva. Whose bringing the schmear?

[marlins_virus.exe]

We'll all sit shiva. Whose bringing the schmear?
whoever can use the appropriate version of who's

[Mainge]

I could use some consoling too

Ah mk7, just the man I was looking for.

You know the admins, right? Where's Festa been?

[marlins_virus.exe]

He left so that people would realize that I am also an admin

[Ramp]

RT @Ken_Rosenthal Source: Braun tested positive for a prohibited substance, not a performance-enhancing drug. #Brewers

tweet tweet

[Beef]

mk7

[MiamiHomer]

Is there a public list somewhere that shows all prohibited substances by the MLB? I'm curious to see the type of stuff they have on there.

[Hugg]

PERFORMANCE ENHANCING SUBSTANCES
1. Androstanediol
2. Androstanedione
3. Androstenediol
4. Androstenedione
5. Bolasterone
6. Boldenone
7. Boldione
8. Calusterone
9. Clenbuterol 5
10. Clostebol
11. Danazol
12. Dehydrochloromethyltestosterone
13. Desoxy-methyltestosterone
14. ?1-dihydrotestosterone
15. 4-dihydrotestosterone
16. Drostanolone
17. Ethylestrenol
18. Fluoxymesterone
19. Formebolone
20. Furazabol
21. 13a-ethyl-17a-hydroxygon-4-en-3-one
22. Gestrinone
23. 4-hydroxytestosterone
24. 4-hydroxy-19-nortestosterone
25. Mestanolone
26. Mesterolone
27. Methandienone
28. Methandriol
29. Methenolone
30. Methyltestosterone
31. Mibolerone
32. 17a-methyl-?1-dihydrotestosterone
33. Nandrolone
34. Norandrostenediol
35. Norandrostenedione
36. Norbolethone
37. Norclostebol
38. Norethandrolone
39. Noretiocholanolone
40. Oxabolone
41. Oxandrolone
42. Oxymesterone
43. Oxymetholone
44. Prostanozol
45. Quinbolone
46. Stanozolol
47. Stenbolone
48. Testolactone
49. Testosterone
50. Tetrahydrogestrinone 51. Trenbolone
52. Any salt, ester or ether of a drug or substance listed above; and
53. Human Growth Hormone ("HGH")
54. Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1), including all isomers of IGF-1 sometimes referred to as Mechano Growth Factors 6
55. Gonadotrophins (including LH and hCG)
56. Aromatase Inhibitors, including Anastrazole, Lestrozole, Aminogluthemide, Exemestane, Formestane, and Testolactone
57. Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators, including Raloxifene, Tamoxifen and Toremifene
58. Other Anti-estrogens, including Clomiphene, Cyclophenil, and Fulvestrant

STIMULANTS
1. Amfepramone (Diethylproprion)
2. Amphetamine
3. Amphetaminil
4. Benzphetamine
5. Chloroamphetamine
6. Chlorphentermine
7. Clobenzorex
8. Clortermine
9. Dimethylamphetamine
10. Ephedrine
11. Ethylamphetamine
12. Famprofazone
13. Fencamfamine
14. Fenethylline
15. Fenfluramine
16. Fenproporex
17. Furfenorex
18. Mefenorex
19. Mesocarb
20. Mephentermine
21. Methylphenidate
22. Modafinil
23. Pemoline
24. Phenpentermine
25. Phentermine
26. Prolintane
27. Phendimetrazine (Phenmetrazine)
28. Propylhexedrine
29. Pyrovalerone; and
30. Selegiline

DRUGS OF ABUSE
1. Cocaine
2. LSD
3. Marijuana
4. Opiates (e.g., Heroin, Codeine, Morphine)
5. MDMA ("Ecstasy")
6. GHB; and
7. Phencyclidine ("PCP")


http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-mlb-banned-substances,0,6698921,full.story

[The Hanram]

whoever can use the appropriate version of who's

Give me a break, I'm in mourning and I drove 500 miles yesterday just to make it to shiva! :mischief

[Hugg]

A very good source on the Ryan Braun side of the drug testing controversy assures me that he did not test positive for a performance-enhancing drug, as reported by ESPN's "Outside the Lines."

ESPN reported that Braun tested positive for a PED that gave him an abnormally high testosterone level, which proved to be synthetic and therefore not produced by the body.

But my source -- and again, this is from Braun's end and not MLB -- familiar with the test's findings says the "prohibited substance" was not a performance-enhancing drug or steroid of any kind. And the source says there has "never" been a result like this in the history of the MLB testing program.

The source said MLB "knows that Ryan is telling the truth) and firmly believes the postive test will be overturned. Pretty amazing stuff, huh?

The source said more detail couldn't be provided at this time because of the ongoing legal process. But suffice it to say that this is getting more interesting by the minute.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/135405518.html

[Ecpot]

It could be a masking agent.

[jay576]

Do you think if marijuana were to become legalized on a federal level similar to alcohol laws would it be removed from that list. It's not like alcohol is on the list of drugs of abuse.

Also if you are hospitalized for a serious medical condition are opiates allowed to be taken? They are some of the most effective and most popular pain killers used in to treat patients.

[Bobbob1313]

I kind of hate that I keep seeing media people tripping over themselves to give Braun the benefit of the doubt that other players never got.

Manny Ramirez did not test positive for a performance enhancing drug, and there had "never" been a result like it in the history of the MLB testing program. There still wasn't this much noise being made defending him.
--------------------
Not saying I do or do not believe he did steroids. Just seems weird that he's getting the benefit of the doubt, when every player ever has said they would appeal a positive test and be found in the right.

[marlins_virus.exe]

he's white, the others weren't, it's that simple. who were the big guys who have gotten caught? palmeiro, mike cameron, manny ramirez (twice), volquez, jose guillen
--------------------
and of course the other two big ones who were never suspended, bonds and clemens. and even though clemens is white, he is not well liked because he is the brett favre of baseball.
--------------------
also, yes beef? i missed you when you called me

[Namaste]

I think we need more info. I don't think Braun is that stupid.


What else is needed? A sworn, recorded confession from Braun?

[Madman81]

He left so that people would realize that I am also an admin

I hooked you up with a mod request

[Chewford]

Poppy seeds!

[Todd]

Well that throws a wrench in his plans to go to Kenya and meet the bush people. The dark continent is no place for an addict after all.

[Beef]

also, yes beef? i missed you when you called me

I forget.

But while we're here, can you ban the guy who posted above me?

[marlins_virus.exe]

no.

[Miamarlin21]

"Update"


An anonymous source has reported to Plushdamentals that Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun’s drug test that tested positive for increased levels of synthetic testosterone was mishandled, thus likely altering the results of the test. The report exclusively reached Plushdamentals through a source familiar with a former college teammate of Braun’s at the University of Miami and reportedly has knowledge of the situation.

The 2011 National League MVP is facing a 50 game suspension if the results of the test hold true and Braun does not win his court hearing, which, to the knowledge of the public, is currently still in process. A second, independent test taken by Braun after the season came back with no evidence of performance-enhancing drugs. The court process, however, is in a prolonged state. Events and findings have been undisclosed to the public, but the initial source on this story may have an inside track, as he is still familiar with Braun.

According to sources, the results were not immediately sent to Major League Baseball as they should have been. Instead, the test samples were brought back to the collector’s residence in Kenosha, Wisconsin. There they remained, not refrigerated, overnight until they were mailed in the next morning. While it is not assured that there is sufficient information to show that the test was mishandled, it supports Braun’s case.

Additionally, there is reportedly no STD involved in Braun’s case, contrary to reports that the 28-year-old’s herpes medicine he was taking triggered historically high results.

The confidential test was, according to the source, missing for a period of time from Point A (Milwaukee) to Point B (Major League Baseball). This opens up a wide potential of possible happenings between the time it was taken and time it was sent, both of which are supposed to occur within the same day, per the MLB drug policy. Braun’s college teammate and friend reported the story to an anonymous source who works out with him, after which word reached Plushdamentals.

“The story seems unlikely, but who knows? It may hold to be true,” the source said of the situation.

A verdict on the Braun case is likely to be reached and made public before Spring Training games begin.

[Ramp]

Intriguing stuff

[MiamiHomer]

mm21 can you give a link to that please?
--------------------
Nevermind, I found it.

[Miamarlin21]

I meant to put the link. My bad Homer.

[Swifty]

When no author is credited you need to post a link.
--------------------
Also, big fan of the 4th degree source....source close to former college teammate who may have knowledge of the situation.

I was indifferent to Ryan Braun before but the rush to defend has really made me dislike him.

[marlins_virus.exe]

it's just because he's white
--------------------
and no i don't mean that facetiously

[Fritz]

Not only is he white, he's a sweet Jewish boy.

[Swifty]

Heyman and Rosenthal firmly in his corner.

[Bobbob1313]

Perception is a funny thing. I don't think anyone can say it is one specific thing, but it's clear everyone around the game wants to give Braun the benefit of the doubt. Even if there's not necessarily any reason to do so.

[Metes]

How dare you suggest they would not do the same for Justin Upton

[jOOj]

BLACK OPS would be brought up in that case.

[Chewford]

It's easy being white. :obese

[Fritz]

You know what? I did know I couldn't do that.

Hah. Hah. Hah.

/Chappelle

[Bobbob1313]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4f9zR5yzY

[Swifty]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvgCvT9xX7A

[Ramp]

He won. Not suspended 50 games.

[Bobbob1313]

We're all racists, now!

[jOOj]

White power!

[Chewford]

We already were.

[MiamiHomer]

Yay! My favorite non Marlins player.
--------------------
AP had a typo saying that the MLB said he lost it but instead the headline was suppose to explain that the MLB disagrees with the ruling.
--------------------
DKnobler @DKnobler
Braun won his case. 3-man panel, with MLB, union and independent arbitrator. Arbitrator swung his way

...

[AdamRavs]

Was 2-1 in favor of Braun..

[MiamiHomer]

Statement from MLB Executive Vice President for Labor Relations Rob Manfred:

“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.”

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/g35nud

[Miamarlin21]

Major League Baseball said Thursday in a statement that it "vehemently disagrees" with arbitrator Shyam Das' decision to overturn Ryan Braun's PED suspension.
Das made the decision Thursday evening after hearing an appeal from Braun last month in New York City. According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "the appeal went Braun's way not so much on contesting the result" but through "some kind of technicality." This story is undoubtedly far from over, but Braun will be in Brewers camp on Friday and a free man when the regular season opens in early April. It's a major victory for the Brewers and for the 2011 National League MVP himself.


hmmmm

[MiamiHomer]

Maury Brown @BizballMaury
Now, Braun's HOF chances are diminished. In eyes of Das, reasonable explication. Think writers will remember that? Hell no.

Do you believe this really is the case? Granted, it's a while before this will come up.

[Bobbob1313]

@AaronRodgers12: MLB and cable sports tried to sully the reputation of an innocent man. Picked the wrong guy to mess with. Truth will set u free #exonerated

Twitter: Letting you see the illogical things people you like for their athletic prowess say since 2009 (or, whenever it started.)

[jOOj]

He used sully!

[Bobbob1313]

"How dare you not give this athlete the benefit of the doubt?!?! HE'S AN ATHLETE!"

[MiamiHomer]

He's a close friend of Braun. Not saying he's right but I'm sure there is more of an emotional sentiment fueling that statement.

[Bobbob1313]

It still doesn't make the "MLB/ESPN CONSPIRING AGAINST BRAUN" thing any dumber.

[MiamiHomer]

People say irrational things when it affects someone they are close to sometimes. That's all I'm saying.

[Bobbob1313]

Who is disagreeing?

[MiamiHomer]

I know one thing a lot of people are upset about is that the information about him failing the drug test was leaked before the whole process went through. Definitely affects his image around baseball and even with the results of him being exonerated it doesn't reverse what's already been done.

[Bobbob1313]

I know one thing a lot of people are upset about is that the information about him failing the drug test was leaked before the whole process went through. Definitely affects his image around baseball and even with the results of him being exonerated it doesn't reverse what's already been done.

I wonder if those same people were upset when same names on the list of 104 players who supposedly failed tests in 2003 was leaked. Those players were supposed to have taken the tests anonymously as well.

[MiamiHomer]

I wonder if those same people were upset when same names on the list of 104 players who supposedly failed tests in 2003 was leaked. Those players were supposed to have taken the tests anonymously as well.

But were those leaked before their appeal hearing were completed?

[Bobbob1313]

They were supposed to not even be labeled by player. That, to me, was a much larger miscarriage of justice than this.

[Madman81]

I agree, seriously, with the sentiment that this happened because he's white. It's the same as how nobody gave a flying fuck when Carlos Santana got steamrolled at home plate and then everyone shit in their pants when Cousins injured Posey, talking about changing rules about running into catchers and all kind of shit.

[Fritz]

I think that had more to do with Posey being a star than race. This Ryan Braun thing is mostly about race though, IMO.

[Beef]

It still doesn't make the "MLB/ESPN CONSPIRING AGAINST BRAUN" thing any dumber.

It's like Braun is his Miami Heat thread

[MiamiHomer]

They were supposed to not even be labeled by player. That, to me, was a much larger miscarriage of justice than this.

I think it's a pretty big injustice leaking a report that someone failed a drug test that is later disproved. I'm not saying the comparison you are making isn't injustice but I think the factor that the whole process wasn't completed before word came out is a big deal.

[Madman81]

I think that had more to do with Posey being a star than race. This Ryan Braun thing is mostly about race though, IMO.

I disagree. I think the most important aspect was that he was a white star.

[Bobbob1313]

I think it's a pretty big injustice leaking a report that someone failed a drug test that is later disproved. I'm not saying the comparison you are making isn't injustice but I think the factor that the whole process wasn't completed before word came out is a big deal.

I'm not saying one is any more or less an injustice. I'm saying that people pick and choose which sorts of injustices they want to get angry about.

Joe Sheehan conveniently tweeted as I was writing this, so I'll let him take it:

This, by the way, is how it's supposed to work. If the penalty is 50 games and millions of $, the process better be PRISTINE.

But you know what? So should the anonymous testing process of 2003. Care about all processes, don't pick and choose based on the narrative.

[Omar]

I think it has more to do with his being a star who is personable more than anything

[Beef]

Yeah, I agree with Omar. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were treated the way they were treated because people see them as douchefaces.

[Madman81]

And Ryan Braun was treated the way he was because he's a marketable white star.

[Bobbob1313]

I think there are a lot of factors involved in how we perceive players and how the media treats them, and race is one of them.

[Beef]

What about when the media treats black fellas well?

[Bobbob1313]

What about when the media treats black fellas well?

I didn't say race is the only or even primary motivating factor.

[Beef]

And Ryan Braun was treated the way he was because he's a marketable white star.

Maybe he was treated the way he was treated because people had certain information that was to be believed?

[MiamiHomer]

And Ryan Braun was treated the way he was because he's a marketable white star.

You think it would have gone differently if it was Albert Pujols in this situation?

[Bobbob1313]

Maybe he was treated the way he was treated because people had certain information that was to be believed?

I fail to see what information those people had that caused them to give Braun the benefit of the doubt. Do you have links?

Buster Olney knew the courrier MLB hired to transport his sample didn't have a smart phone and couldn't check if FedEx/Kinkos was still open?

[Beef]

I didn't say race is the only or even primary motivating factor.

I didn't say you did. I'm asking what role it plays when the media treats a black player with the same respect they have for a white player? There is still race involved as a motivating factor?

[Bobbob1313]

I didn't say you did. I'm asking what role it plays when the media treats a black player with the same respect they have for a white player? There is still race involved as a motivating factor?

I think certain players are given the benefit of the doubt for certain actions, and perceptions are altered, consciously or otherwise, by race.

Hanley gets killed seemingly weekly for his lack of attention to the game, and nobody in the media blinks when Jack McKeon calls out Logan Morrison for his lack of attention to the game. Is this a color blind process?

I think part of that is a reputation both players have cultivated, but part of it is also the result of ingrained biases about how certain "types" of players go about the game.

[Namaste]

Twitter: Letting you see the illogical things people you like for their athletic prowess say since 2009 (or, whenever it started.)

Man, twitter is the fricking worst.

[Madman81]

Maybe he was treated the way he was treated because people had certain information that was to be believed?

Maybe, but I think race had a lot to do with the decision.

You think it would have gone differently if it was Albert Pujols in this situation?

I do. Remember that Manny Ramirez guy?

What about when the media treats black fellas well?

I'm not saying anything about the media in this thread.

[Beef]

I fail to see what information those people had that caused them to give Braun the benefit of the doubt. Do you have links?

Buster Olney knew the courrier MLB hired to transport his sample didn't have a smart phone and couldn't check if FedEx/Kinkos was still open?

I don't. I said maybe. Do you have links that shows they did not have credible information or get information from people that they have relied on for stories many times in the past? Jeez, your post was fuckin dumb.

[Madman81]

Oh if the media comment wasn't directed at me at all then ignore my last line.

[Namaste]

Not saying he's right but I'm sure there is more of an emotional sentiment fueling that statement.

and it's still the worst

[MiamiHomer]

I do. Remember that Manny Ramirez guy?


Manny wasn't exactly well liked before his suspension on steroids. I think what Omar said about the athlete being personable and well liked, such as Braun and Pujols is now, is what made most of the public give them the benefit of the doubt.

[Hugg]

Never trust a guy named Das.

[Madman81]

Manny wasn't exactly well liked before his suspension on steroids. I think what Omar said about the athlete being personable and well liked, such as Braun and Pujols is now, is what made most of the public give them the benefit of the doubt.

Manny wasn't well liked by the general public? I remember the general public, save Red Sox fans, going crazy (in a good way) when he lit it up with the Dodgers. Didn't they call it Mannywood? That is at least how I remember it.

And if we're specifically talking about the general public now, then I absolutely believe his being white was a huge factor in his support.

[MiamiHomer]

Manny publicly quit on his team. I don't think the general consensus around baseball fans after that was that they liked Manny. They may have found his antics amusing but I don't think he was a well liked figure in baseball after that.

[Beef]

Manny wasn't well liked by the general public? I remember the general public, save Red Sox fans, going crazy (in a good way) when he lit it up with the Dodgers. Didn't they call it Mannywood? That is at least how I remember it.

And if we're specifically talking about the general public now, then I absolutely believe his being white was a huge factor in his support.

It went both ways with Manny. People thought he was cute and silly when he played well and when he struggled they talked about how he didn't try and quit in Boston.

[Madman81]

Manny publicly quit on his team. I don't think the general consensus around baseball fans after that was that they liked Manny. They may have found his antics amusing but I don't think he was a well liked figure in baseball after that.

I think you are overestimating the intelligence and perception of the average baseball fan/American.

It went both ways with Manny. People thought he was cute and silly when he played well and when he struggled they talked about how he didn't try and quit in Boston.

I remember this as well, but I think the average fans, those who make up the majority of the general public, quickly forgot, if ever even realizing, the specifics of his departure from Boston as he tore it up with the Dodgers.

[Valid]

Supposedly the MLB is now considering "other options." Like what?

[Bobbob1313]

John Buck's take.

@MLBNetwork hey hot stove anybody think that the collector may have contaminated the test? He did have the test for 2 days to turn it in!

[Valid]

Maybe, but I think race had a lot to do with the decision.



I do. Remember that Manny Ramirez guy?
I am not going to say you are entirely wrong because I just don't know, but I don't think it's fair to cite Manny here because, unlike Braun, he didn't appeal his suspension.

[jOOj]

Supposedly the MLB is now considering "other options." Like what?

Gon have him whacked. Then blame it on a minority.

[Miamarlin21]

Apparently the reason why they overturned the suspension was because of protocol on how the sample was handled. So I guess he still could have cheated?

[Mainge]

Mhm.

[Namaste]

Never trust a guy named Das.


:lol
I wonder how many people got that. I'll set the total at 5.5

[Mainge]

Well over.

[Namaste]

Total just moved to 7.5. You have to pay -125 for the over.

[Mainge]

Over.

[Fritz]

Over.

[Chewford]

I'd place a HUGH bet on the over.

[jOOj]

Two Point Five Oh.

[Party]

I think schmeggy, Mendoza and DC are the only ones who didn't know Das Douche.

[Namaste]

I agree my number was way off

But I don't think Metes, mibs, Jorge, tpain305, Mcost, McLevin and radler know das either

[Chewford]

100% sure mibs and McLevin know about Das.

[Mainge]

Mibs and Mclevin do.

[Namaste]

I lose. Again. I am the Astros tonight.

[jOOj]

Das is my pal.

[Namaste]

Das messed up

[Swifty]

Really late, but I think the thing that's hard to quantify is how liked/defended Braun is right now. Rosenthal and Heyman were in his corner (and if Barry's last name were Bondstein I'm sure theyd be right there with him too) but that doesn't mean their views are shared throughout the sport, just that their voices are the loudest.

Basically, you have preexisting bias from the two most active/vocal voices of the offseason and the sport itself. Obviously players will publically put up a united "down with the man" kind of front because this is a huge victory, collectively, for the MLBPA and, arguably as big a black eye for the league as the Mitchell Report. You now have a player whose entire contest was not on the discovered substance, but on the protocol used to protect the tested specimen. Think about that for a second; Ryan Braun all but conceded that synthetic testosterone was in his body, he just contested how his urine was shipped to the lab. Absolutely unreal, and beyond infuriating (to me) that people are championing him for restoring his good name.

[mbitcronod12]

100% sure mibs and McLevin know about Das.

Chewie is correct. McLevin and I are both quite familiar with Das. Metes knows of him a little, too.

[Blackout Pact]

Oh Das...

[radler]

i don't know what any of this is about but i do know who das texan is

[Beef]

Larry Beinberg
--------------------
Also, fun that we talk about how unfair it is that there are these biases in the media and then blindly throw out exactly who is biased based on religion.

[Miamarlin21]

Shit could get real:

ESPN.com reports that MLB is considering suing in federal court to reverse baseball arbitrator Shyam Das' decision to overturn Ryan Braun's 50-game suspension.
MLB is on record as "vehemently disagreeing" with Das' decision and evidently is weighing the possibility of taking a big step to get their original ruling upheld. Before taking such action, though, they'll reportedly wait until Das issues his written report within the next week or so and their lawyers have had a chance to review it. Braun's case was the first time a player successfully challenged a drug-related penalty in a grievance.

[Swifty]

Larry Beinberg
--------------------
Also, fun that we talk about how unfair it is that there are these biases in the media and then blindly throw out exactly who is biased based on religion.

You're silly if you don't think that's a big part of it.
--------------------
Also, LOL at Braun "I won't discuss this process" bookending a detailed discussion of the process.

I mean it, I've gone from being completely indifferent to this guy to flat out hating him.

[MiamiHomer]

SB Nation ‏ @sbnation

Ryan Braun speaking to the media, says he's never had an STD, says MLB testing system was "fatally flawed."

Jerry Crasnick ‏ @jcrasnick

Braun says he is considering "all my legal options." #Brewers

...

[Madman81]

You now have a player whose entire contest was not on the discovered substance, but on the protocol used to protect the tested specimen. Think about that for a second; Ryan Braun all but conceded that synthetic testosterone was in his body, he just contested how his urine was shipped to the lab. Absolutely unreal, and beyond infuriating (to me) that people are championing him for restoring his good name.

The collector spiked Braun's sample with something, duh. Same way the police frame everyone for everything ever.

[Mainge]

Braun is alleging other Brewers took the test with that collector that day right after him. My question is, unless he believes his sample was directly tampered with, why did the collectors mishandling of the samples only cause Brauns' false positive and not the other players as well?

[MiamiHomer]

If you thought the Ryan Braun PED case was over, think again. As Berra infamously said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” We’re not there yet. Not even close.

As reported yesterday, Braun won an appeal that overturned a 50 game suspension for elevated levels of testosterone in his system. The T/E ratio was off the scale and later found to be synthetic. Baseball had gone 12-0 on appeals. This morning, they’re 12-1.

Braun may have had an arguable reason for his T/E levels being so high. Maybe an explanation as to why the testosterone was synthetic. What his lawyers smartly did was argue that the chain of custody of his urine sample was broken.

The Joint Drug Agreement (JDA) -- the drug policy that was jointly reached between the players and league -- has extremely details steps on how samples are to be collected from the players. There is no ambiguity within it. Or, that was thought to be the case on baseball’s side, and one where Braun found safe haven in this simple aspect of the protocol.

The JDA (which can be viewed in its entirety here), reads in part on page 37, “Absent unusual circumstances, the specimens should be sent by FedEx to the Laboratory on the same day they are collected.”

The problem was, the Collector of the sample thought FedEx didn’t deliver on Saturday when FedEx does provide service. At this crucial point, Braun’s lawyers had their case. Still, the JDA continues on page 39:

If the specimen is not immediately prepared for shipment, the Collector shall ensure that it is appropriately safeguarded during temporary storage.

1. The Collector must keep the chain of custody intact.

2. The Collector must store the samples in a cool and secure location.

Remember, the protocol was broken the second the Collector had the opportunity to send “by FedEx to the Laboratory on the same day.” There has been swirling reports that the urine sample was stored in the Collector’s refrigerator, or possibly his basement leading to whether the sample’s integrity was compromised by not being “cool”. In a sense, it’s academic. Simply put, the case fell apart by not delivering on the same day that it could have been.

So, where does this leave us? Is the case over and done with? No.

For one, MLB is looking to immediately address the protocol language in the JDA that they see as a “loophole” that allowed Braun to get the favorable ruling. The reason for the immediate change is due to good reason as players are actively being tested. Having the custody-chain issue bite them again is something they look to avoid.

And while it’s too early to speculate, MLB could appeal to a Federal court to have Das’ ruling overturned. Whether that comes off as sour grapes is a matter of opinion. But, the reason for baseball being so “vehemently opposed”, as Rob Manfred put it, to the Das ruling is that the Braun case was going to be the poster child for Bud Selig to say how impartial the drug policy really is. Not only does it not play favors with star players, it could go after the NL MVP from the club (the Brewers) that Selig once owned.

And, what about who leaked the positive test to ESPN? What is going on with any investigation?

Some have speculated that because of the high profile, and aforementioned awards and association with the Brewers, that the league must have leaked Braun’s positive test to the media. At this point, there is no investigation by MLB because they were not the one aggrieved. The MLBPA could file a grievance if they thought the leak came from the league to force an investigation, but they have not done so, and currently do not have any plans to. That seems to say that the MLBPA doesn’t see the league as being the source of the leak.

It’s not a given, but the possibility that the newly reached Basic Agreement between the players and the league could be available to the public in PDF by the beginning of the season. The JDA is part of that. It’s not out of the question to think that the custody-chain aspect of it could be addressed in the wake of the Braun ruling by then, or that an amendment to the JDA could come shortly thereafter. Going forward, the back story will be whether MLB appeals the case, and if the source of the leak surfaces.

All of this doesn’t speak to Braun. His story is already part of a press conference today, and continued stories in the baseball media about whether he did or didn’t juice. As it was said yesterday, that’s a topic that should have never seen the light of day. It’s here. You can’t put the genie back in the bottle. The fallout, however, has broad-reaching implications that will impact MLB’s drug policy for years. It’s not the end of the world for the policy. It’s just a weakness in it that got tested. You can bet, baseball is doing everything it can to ensure that doesn’t happen again.

If You Thought the Ryan Braun PED Case Was Over, Think Again (http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5611:if-you-thought-the-ryan-braun-ped-case-was-over-think-again&catid=26:editorials&Itemid=39)

[Beef]

You're silly if you don't think that's a big part of it.


I'm silly if I don't think that's a big part of it? Perhaps, since we're talking about bias and the like, your comments show your bias or anti-semitism? I think Bobbob wants you to provide links to prove how you know that was a big part of it. I know the thing to do is to pretend we know what everyone is thinking but to only consider certain circumstances and then to act like super Mr. Fair Guy and that it's just not fair that the media is out to get the black guy.

Are you suggesting that the journalists who are jewish and said they had good information were just lying about that information and happened to be lucky to be right in the end and it was quite a coincidence that this was the first time this has ever happened after they suggested that there was credible information that it could happen? Or are you suggesting that they would not have believed information that they got from sources that they have been able to confirm over time are credible if this same situation happened with a non-Jewish player?

If we're so busy being Mr. Everyone Other than Me is Biased guys, should'nt we also consider that the guy who had the sample that passed by multiple FedEx branches could have had himself a bias and chose to tamper with Braun's sample?

I have no confidence that Braun didn't use something illegal. There are a shitload of questions regarding the science behind it and other shit about the process that I don't have an answer to.

These guys have been doing this for a long time and they have sources that they can confirm over many years tend to be credible. I think it's far more silly to call someone silly for thinking that all of a sudden, in one situation, because there is a Jewish fella involved, these guys took sides because of religion. I actually think it's fucking stupid as shit to tell me that it's silly and a big part of the whole thing.

[Miamarlin21]

Do we know how he found out that the sample wasn't taken directly to Fed Ex?

[MiamiHomer]

Do we know how he found out that the sample wasn't taken directly to Fed Ex?

I'm sure that type of stuff is documented.

[Mainge]

Do we know how he found out that the sample wasn't taken directly to Fed Ex?

I'm assuming it'd be easy to find out from Fed Ex when they received the sample.

[Swifty]

Beef are you saying there isn't bias? You want a link to what people are thinking?

https://twitter.com/#!/JonHeymanCBS

[Omar]

What Braun said today made it sound like a little bit more than just a getting off measure

[Beef]

Beef are you saying there isn't bias? You want a link to what people are thinking?

https://twitter.com/#!/JonHeymanCBS

:-O

Did you just send me to twitter?

Not sure what this could possibly prove....?!?!?!!??!

Have you met twitter?

Do you know who tweets people on twitter?

I won't even click on it, but my guess is that it shows that the general public isn't just sucking on the tits of the whitefaced superstar.

[Namaste]

Captains Log: February 24th, 2012
1724 hours

-twitter is still the worst

[Ramp]

I mean, it's not

but it can be

[Beef]

Also, LOL at Braun "I won't discuss this process" bookending a detailed discussion of the process.

I mean it, I've gone from being completely indifferent to this guy to flat out hating him.

For the sake of being correct, the bolded quote above never happened.

[marlins_virus.exe]

I mean, I don't think it's a Jewish bias. I'm Jewish though so maybe I'm biased against thinking it's a Jewish bias.

I do think it's a white bias but also - maybe moreso - it's a "good guy" bias. If you are a white athlete who is perceived to be a good teammate/person you get the benefit of the doubt more often. Roger Clemens was a dickbag who was not very well liked so when his steroid scandal hit he did not get the benefit of the doubt. Imagine if the same situation happened to Greg Maddux. People would not hate him the way people hate Clemens.

I mean, hell, Andy Pettitte ADMITTED to taking steroids but he was a quiet, reserved, well-liked guy who only wanted to pitch and be with his family. No one even talks about his steroid issue even though he actually admitted to using HGH and when he retired people began legitimately debating his HOF credentials, yet Clemens won't get in despite being one of the top 5 pitchers of all time. Case in point: http://espn.go.com/mlb/notebook/_/page/bbtn100622/baseball-tonight-clubhouse

Yes, it was written by Bobby Valentine who's a moron, but that article sucks Pettitte's dick about how he gets betterwith age and is so religiously regimented with his conditioning. THE MAN ADMITTED TO TAKING HGH AND IT'S NOT MENTIONED ANYWHERE. In fact the article even mentions him rebounding from an injury WHICH IS WHAT PETTITTE SAID WERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND HIS USING HGH.

If it came out tomorrow that Brett Favre tested positive, people would laugh and sully his name. If the news broke that Drew Brees tested positive, people would ask where the proof was and wonder how the sample had gotten tainted.

The bottom line is people are biased not just against race but against perception. It's why until actual concrete details of Tiger Woods' affair came out, people didn't believe it. It's why no one talks about Derrick Rose's SAT scandal. It's the way people are.

[Namaste]

"That's the way off the world"

-Earth Wind and Fire

Excellent post, Polkster.

[CrimsonCane]

You now have a player whose entire contest was not on the discovered substance, but on the protocol used to protect the tested specimen.

C'mon swift, you're an attorney. You know better. You never win an appeal by reweighing the evidence. You always have to attack the procedure if you want any chance at prevailing.

[Party]

Braunberg

[Swifty]

C'mon swift, you're an attorney. You know better. You never win an appeal by reweighing the evidence. You always have to attack the procedure if you want any chance at prevailing.

You also plead everything you can and sort it out later. I'm not critiquing his prevailing the way he did, I'm simply dumbfounded by the notion that "truth is on [his] side."

If having a sample sit for 24 hours creates elevated levels of synthetic testosterone, then sure, the truth is there, but Braun never contested the sample as being tampered with, which, if he's going to puff his chest and say he's clean and his time to first didn't improve (lol at that too) that also seems like a reasonable argument to make...which he didn't.

[MiamiHomer]

There are such things as false positives though.

[Mainge]

Sure, but why didn't any of the other Brewers who took the test that day also receive a false positive?

[MiamiHomer]

Because it's a random occurrence. False positives don't necessarily have to be affected by something to happen. Each sample is also tested individually so comparing it to other tests doesn't really represent anything.

[Mainge]

Right, but Brauns' whole defense was that the mishandling caused a false positive. Why didn't it for the other Brewers samples? Unless he's accusing the collector of directly tampering with his sample. Also, the chances of a random false positive are so remote that there's just no way that's what happened. The MLB splits the urine sample in two for that very reason.

Personally, there's no doubt in my mind that he did it but I also don't give a shit. Really doesn't change my opinion of him at all, which is that he fucking rakes and it's fun to watch.

[MiamiHomer]

I don't think the argument was that the mishandling of the sample caused the sample to be positive. I believe their argument focused solely on the protocol that was not followed in delivering the sample.
--------------------
False positives do happen though. So just because the odds are so low doesn't mean the possibility shouldn't be thrown out of question.

[Mainge]

I don't think the argument was that the mishandling of the sample caused the sample to be positive. I believe their argument focused solely on the protocol that was not followed in delivering the sample.
--------------------
False positives do happen though. So just because the odds are so low doesn't mean the possibility shouldn't be thrown out of question.

Maybe I'm wrong but who cares that protocol wasn't followed unless there's a chance that it triggered a false positive. If he really got off only because protocol wasn't followed, how can anyone doubt that he did it?

And I understand that false positives happen but, like I said, they split the sample in two for a reason. The odds of just one test resulting in a random false positive isn't good. The odds of both separate tests resulting in random false positives has to be just astronomically low.

[CrimsonCane]

You also plead everything you can and sort it out later.

That's not how it works on appeals. Shotgun pleadings may work in complaints but you are forced to narrow the issues on an appeal. Furthermore, most appellate procedures specifically limit the ability to reweigh evidence. There is a presumption of correctness in the evidentiary findings. You are wasting your time if you try to fight that.

I'm also dumbfounded by how you would expect him to conclusively prove his innocence. From the reports, there was a 19 day gap between his testing and his notice that the sample tested positive. What is he supposed to do? Any new test taken at that point would be totally inconclusive and irrelevant as to whether or not he had any banned substances in his body at the time of the initial test.

[MiamiHomer]

Maybe I'm wrong but who cares that protocol wasn't followed unless there's a chance that it triggered a false positive. If he really got off only because protocol wasn't followed, how can anyone doubt that he did it?

And I understand that false positives happen but, like I said, they split the sample in two for a reason. The odds of just one test resulting in a random false positive isn't good. The odds of both separate tests resulting in random false positives has to be just astronomically low.

The reason the protocol is there is because it's been negotiated by the union and MLB to have a clear understanding of how the whole process is handled, is it not? He took various other tests throughout the year that followed the correct protocol and came back clean. I think having the sample sit with the courier for almost 2 days before it was sent to the lab leaves plenty of room for lawyers to question the validity and reliability of the test. I'd probably lean to him having, in fact, taken some sort of banned substances but I do think the manner in way the sample was handled so be taken seriously since it's something the MLB and union had agreed upon (which has now recently been changed).

[CrimsonCane]

Maybe I'm wrong but who cares that protocol wasn't followed unless there's a chance that it triggered a false positive.

Doesn't the very fact that protocol wasn't followed create a presumption that something could have been done to trigger a positive sample? This is a chain of custody issue. Braun's people were able to show that there was an almost 2 day window of time where there is no documentation on what is happening with these samples.

Does a urine sample sitting in some dude's basement for 2 days magically create a sample with synthetic testosterone? Of course not. But the point is that we can never be certain that the sample was actually in that guys basement undisturbed that whole time. That doubt automatically creates the possibility that something could have been done to trigger a false positive test.

[Mainge]

Yeah, fair enough.

[MiamiHomer]

I feel special that my explanation is similar to what my brother said, just not as elegant. It gives me hope that I'm not a complete idiot about this!

[Beef]

You also plead everything you can and sort it out later. I'm not critiquing his prevailing the way he did, I'm simply dumbfounded by the notion that "truth is on [his] side."

If having a sample sit for 24 hours creates elevated levels of synthetic testosterone, then sure, the truth is there, but Braun never contested the sample as being tampered with, which, if he's going to puff his chest and say he's clean and his time to first didn't improve (lol at that too) that also seems like a reasonable argument to make...which he didn't.

You already made up one quote and used that quote to fit into the reason you were apparently looking for to hate the guy. He said he doesn't know what happened during the 44 hour period when it was improperly handled. It's true, he doesn't. He couldn't possibly know. I'm not false positive that if he had said that somebody must have taken it and definitely tampered with it and testosterone'd the shit out of it, you'd say something like, "wow, that fucking Braunstein has literally no idea what happened with his sample but he's blaming some guy and acting like they were out to get him." He doesn't know what happened during that time, he has no idea, couldn't possibly have an idea. Biased guy is looking for reason to fit that bias?

[Jorge18]

The increasingly combative dispute between Major League Baseball and Ryan Braun grew louder Tuesday when Dino Laurenzi Jr., the drug test collector who handled Braun’s urine sample in October, said that he followed protocol when he took the sample home instead of sending it directly to a testing laboratory.

“I followed the same procedure in collecting Mr. Braun’s sample as I did in the hundreds of other samples I collected under the program,” Laurenzi said in a statement, referring to the drug testing program administered by Major League Baseball and the players union. “At no point did I tamper in any way with the samples.”

Laurenzi, a drug test collector for Comprehensive Drug Testing, the company hired by Major League Baseball and the players union to collect samples from players, has been at the center of a storm since Friday, when Braun raised questions in a news conference about why his sample and those of two other players were not immediately taken to a FedEx shipping office and spent the weekend in Laurenzi’s house.

Laurenzi’s decision to take the samples home and the resulting gap in the chain of custody were the main reasons an arbitrator reversed Braun’s 50-game suspension for failing the drug test. Braun is the first major league player known to have won an appeal of a suspension for violating the league’s drug policy.

In a statement, Laurenzi said he followed established protocol by taking the samples home because by the time he left Miller Park that Saturday in October, the last FedEx flights of the day had left. It was better to keep the samples in a secure location than leave them in a FedEx office, where they could have been tampered with or not properly refrigerated.

His employer, C.D.T., has told collectors to keep samples in their possession when they are unable to be shipped, Laurenzi said.

“The protocol has been in place since 2005 when I started with C.D.T., and there have been other occasions when I have had to store samples in my home for at least one day, all without incident,” Laurenzi said in his statement.

Without naming Laurenzi directly, Braun suggested there were questions about his character and the possibility that Laurenzi or his son, who accompanied him to the stadium that day, might have doctored the sample or inadvertently compromised it.

“There were a lot of things that we learned about the collector, about the collection process, about the way the entire thing works, that made us very concerned and very suspicious about what could have actually happened,” Braun said at the news conference Friday, at the Brewers’ training camp in Phoenix.

Braun’s veiled allegations have “caused great emotional distress for me and my family,” Laurenzi said. “I have worked hard my entire life, have performed my job duties with integrity and professionalism, and have done so with respect to this matter and all other collections in which I have participated.”

Laurenzi has hired Boyd Johnson, a prominent lawyer, to represent him.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/29/sports/baseball/drug-test-collector-in-braun-case-says-he-followed-protocol.html?_r=1&ref=sports

This story gets more and more interesting....

[Omar]

How could it be standard protocol to take the samples to your house?

[Fritz]

If the CDT offices are closed, FedEx flights have departed and dropping it off at Kinko's with a bunch of jackasses that make $8/hr is the only other option, it seems reasonable.

People take work property home with them all the time. It would just sit in a lunchbox on its way to the lab anyway.

[TheMendozaLine]

They should develop a PED taste test. That way, instead of having to wait for the next available FedEx flight, the drug test collector could just gargle Braun's piss on site and tell us if he's juiced or not.

[Mainge]

:lol