For the first time in MLB history, the appeal of a positive drug test was successful. Ryan Braun avoided a 50-game suspension, a lifetime of haters questioning his MVP award, and a city of extremely unhappy beer-drinkers. Braun tested positive for high levels of testosterone in October but repeatedly insisted he had not violated the drug policy.
"I am very pleased and relieved by today's decision," Braun said in a statement. "It is the first step in restoring my good name and reputation. We were able to get through this, because I am innocent and the truth is on our side."
Baseball arbitrator Shyam Das overturned the decision based on a technicality with the testing process. The 28-year-old was tested Saturday, Oct. 1, and the sample should have been sent immediately to the lab the same day. Instead, the sample wasn't sent until Monday, leaving margin for error.
Good friend and fellow Wisconsin athlete Aaron Rodgers went on a small celebration rant on Twitter, taking shots at the MLB in the process.
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
He went on to say that he'd put next year's salary on the fact that Bruan didn't take PEDs, and that he hopes "All u idiots talking about technicality open up for some crow too." Clearly beer and cheese go together like peas and carrots.
[via ABC News]
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