A source told Dan Patrick that Ryan Braun may be innocent of using PEDs:
Patrick said he was told Sunday, again, by “somebody involved in the process” that the MLB test might be at fault and that Braun could be found innocent. The arbitration panel, with independent arbitrator Shyam Das expected to cast the decisive vote, has 25 days to render a verdict but it could come as soon as later this week.
That would be great news for Ryan and the Brewers. We’ll see.
I heard something about this on Dan Patrick’s radio show this morning. I’m hopin’ Braun turns out innocent. Although, that would introduce a whole new bag of wonder about the process & guys saying they are innocent. Interesting.
The case hinges on the validity of the carbon isotope test. If Braun can show that diet heavily weighted in c3 plant materials (little C13) can effect natural testsosterone C13 levels, he can win that case. There are studies that show this.
Call it the “too much beer” defense.
Also, with short acting testosterone available having a half life of about 1 hr, players can use at will without fear of testing positive (unless testing is done 24/7 and testers visit players homes to collect samples)
There are also the designer steroids which mix in testosterone having more C13 and makes it indistinguishable from natural testsosterone.
More expensive, but players making tens of millions can afford them.
The juiced era continues.
If he’s found innocent, it will certainly lead to a ton of questions about the testing process, and there will be other players who will now make the same claim. They will end up taking whatver Braun was taking in addition to their illegal drugs just so they can use it as an excuse. I’m not saying Braun is still guilty if found innocent, but that it will create more problems for MLB’s testing policy.
The best outcome for MLB and Braun is that he is found clearly innocent.
The second best outcome for Braun is he is found innocent of cheating, but he is found guilty of taking a legal substance that spikes testosterone levels. He still serves his 50-game suspension for not clearly understanding whatever was in some supplement, or perhaps perscribed drug he was taking, but his reputation is intact. This might be the best solution for MLB in that it highlights there are no exceptions to the testing rule and that players clearly need to understand what’s in anything they are taking, but Braun is not branded a cheater.
The worst scenario for all is he is found guilty of taking PEDs.