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As if we didn't have enough big news to deal with today:
#Brewers’ Braun suspended for rest of season, according to MLB. Effective immediately.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 22, 2013
This was clearly a suspension negotiated between Ryan Braun, the MLBPA and MLB, because there was no word on any appeal:
It’s effectively a 65-game suspension. That’s the number of games the #Brewers have remaining. Braun did not specify the mistakes he made.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 22, 2013
Braun issued a statement:
Braun in statement: "As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect. I realize now that I have made some mistakes" MORE
— Scott Miller (@ScottMCBS) July 22, 2013
More Braun: "I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions."
— Scott Miller (@ScottMCBS) July 22, 2013
Let me say right now: Clearly, I was wrong in any defense I made of Braun. He was caught during the 2011 playoffs and got off on a technicality. I was wrong, and you all were right. It's good to see that he's taking responsibility for his actions. One more tweet you should read, if you haven't:
MLB's rob manfred: "we commend ryan braun for taking responsibility for his past actions."
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 22, 2013
Why does this matter? Some people say they don't care about PEDs or steroid use, and that's their right to hold that opinion. But in the wake of the Biogenesis scandal that's resulted in this suspension -- and clearly, there will be others coming -- many current players say they want the sport cleaned up. They want to have a level playing field, and they want to stop the lying, and their teammates hanging around with shady characters.
I commend MLB for swift action. I commend Braun for owning up to what he did, though it's a bit late.
And one more thing, and this is really important: I know how most people here look at Ryan Braun and the Brewers. That's fine, but I implore you to keep your comments clean. There's an important issue here to be discussed, and I think that discussion would be better without profanity or "I told you so" or nasty comments directed toward the Brewers or their fans. Let's show everyone that we can take the high road.
Thank you. Now, have at it.