Brewers’ Braun seeks to discard drug test blues
For Ryan Braun, winning an appeal of a 50-game suspension was only his first step toward redemption.
Now the Milwaukee Brewers slugger is out to show fans he can shake off a tumultuous off-season after a failed drug test that tarnished his reputation, and regain the form that made him the NL’S MVP last season. Speaking Friday before the Brewers’ opener against the St. Louis Cardinals, Braun said he’s looking forward to the chance to prove he can handle what transpired.
“Of course,” Braun said. “It’s not so much about proving anybody wrong as it much as it is proving the people who all believed in me and supported me right. So I’m definitely excited. Very motivated.”
Fans gave Braun a rousing ovation in pre-game introductions and were even louder during his first few trips to the plate, cheering and chanting “M-V-P!”
After helping power the Brewers to the NL championship series and winning the league’s MVP award, Braun’s achievements came under suspicion when ESPN reported he failed a drug test with a high testosterone level. Braun went on to win his appeal and avoid a 50-game suspension.
Braun struggled in spring training. But manager Ron Roenicke likes what he has seen and heard from the slugger: “Right now, he’s in a really good place. . . . He’s very confident.”