We’ve seen plenty of reactions to the news of Ryan Braun’s positive test for a prohibited substance, and with all the confusion surrounding the situation, the flurry of reactions and emotions is understandable. One of the most recounted facts of the situation so far is that no player has ever won his appeal with MLB after a positive test.
However, lost in a sea of replies was this odd tweet from free agent shortstop Jimmy Rollins:
@stlcards314 never been overturned is”technically” correct. I know of a case that no one will hear about.
— Jimmy Rollins (@JimmyRollins11) December 11, 2011
The tweet is cryptic, as many of the details emerging about the case have been. It seems to suggest that there have indeed been times in which players have had their cases overturned, but the details aren’t available to the public — and understandably so, as these allegations would follow players regardless of their validity. Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus offered some confirmation later:
@JeffPassan Legit, as in people in front office I trust have told me that cases that never got leaked were turned over.
— Kevin Goldstein (@Kevin_Goldstein) December 11, 2011
Now, news has come out from the New York Daily News that the testosterone levels in the test were by far the highest in any sample MLB has ever received. The report also mentions “chain of custody issues” surrounding the handling of the sample.
Basically, if we’ve learned anything from the developments over the past 24 hours, it’s that we really know nothing about this situation. News continues to trickle out, but at this point we scarcely know more solid facts about whether or not Ryan Braun used PEDs than we did before the news of the test came out.
Stay tuned.
I never thought I would be this torn up by the Brewers in the off season. This is getting crazy. And I just think that people should wait until the process runs its course.
But then again, I won’t be watching Monday Night Football for a while, as a small protest against ESPN for running a story like this.
Either there is a problem with the test or Braun was taking some ridiculous drugs / dosages, like elephant fertilizers or something crazy. Gets weirder with each piece of news, what a mess this situation is for the Crew.
Its hard enough being a life long brewer fan and watch major market teams collect big names and throw around millions of dollars for fun while we work our minor league system and develop talent with hard work, but really????? out of every player in mlb why would they do Braun like this…..the honest, hard working, talented pride of milwaukee. I guess nobodys safe from the propaganda and corruption