July 23, 2013

July 23, 2013

It's been a relatively quiet summer in sports other than the Aaron Hernandez case.  Of course that all changed a few days ago when Ryan Braun was officially suspended for violating the MLB substance abuse policy.  He's been suspended for the remainder of the year without pay.  This was a pretty bold stroke by MLB as it basically came out of nowhere.  Braun has also said he's not going to appeal or fight his punishment, and has apologized to the Brewers and fans that he's let down.  It's apparent that he did indeed use PEDs during the past few years, though when is still unknown.  The backlash against Braun has been incredible and very vitriolic in nature.  Some are calling for the Brewers to terminate his contract and get him out of Milwaukee.  HA I laugh at anyone that says he should be cut or thrown out of baseball.  While it is troubling that he's denied PED so steadfastly in the past and now willingly admits to it, cutting him wouldn't make this situation any better.  And if he were a free agent next year, I 100% guarantee all 30 teams would line up to sign him to a mega deal.  Know why?  Because he's one of the best all-around players in the game.  And one 65 game suspension isn't going to change that.  Steroids may make you bigger, or faster, but they don't help you to make contact with the ball or give you a better swing.  And if this suspension is indeed stemming from the supposed 2011 positive test by Braun then I contend that he's been clean for the last year and a half anyway, unless he's just stupid, which I doubt.

A lot of the feedback, including a ridiculous and stupid article written by ESPN lapdog Buster Olney contends that this is a momentous day for MLB and the player union.  Once again, I LAUGH.  How is anything related to this case a positive?  One of the game's brightest stars and best personalities has been suspended for using PEDs.  Does this mean the PED witch hunt is over?  Not a chance!  The Alex Rodriguez saga is ongoing and many other players are under investigation for possible PED use tied to the Florida clinic.  This may actually be one of the darkest days in MLB history.  MLB and the union specifically are scared of how deep this may go, and are hoping that by dropping the hammer on Braun they can deflect some of the attention away from other cases.  By diverting attention from the other players they can hope to lessen the impact when and if these players are found to have tested positive.  Another interesting thing is that the players and the union have not been behind Braun through the suspension process.  This tells me one thing.  The union and/or players don't want to get too involved with this, as they're all dirty too.  I think the union has a pretty good idea of just how many players are doping, and I can bet you its a lot.  My guess would be 30% of current players have doped during their career or are currently doping.  By throwing Braun under the bus, the union is attempting to protect the large population of its members that are also doping.  The idea that by nabbing Braun the steroid era is past is complete bullshit, but the league has too much money and pride on the line to let anything major drop that would implicate a large amount of players, though that may be the case.

I don't support PED use, and my confidence in Ryan Braun has tremendously been shaken.  But I do believe in second chances, and that everyone deserves one.  He'll be back, and he'll be just as good as he's been, I guarantee it.  I just think it's ridiculous to be so critical of one player when it's quite possible that most of the league is doing it as well.  Expect a lot more bullshit from ESPN as they continue their wondrous reporting of the steroid saga, keep in mind that it's in their best interest to not drop a bomb that would severely hurt the reputation of MLB.