The Brewers slugger has put up Cooperstown-worthy numbers in only five MLB seasons and any positive tests for PEDs could well tarnish his career.
The test in question was administered on October 1, 2011, following the Brewers 4-1 ALDS win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The results, which Braun was informed of nearly three-weeks later, showed elevated levels of synthetic testosterone. The news of his failed test and suspension were leaked in mid-December and the slugger's appeal hearings began on Jan. 19.
Braun has maintained his innocence throughout the process and on Friday took it one step further, exclaiming he was "the victim of a process that completely broke down and failed."
The four-time All-Star added onto that comment during Friday's news conference, making his statements with clear conviction.
"If I had done this intentionally, or unintentionally, I'd be the first to step up and say I did it," Braun said. "I would bet my life that this substance never entered my body at any point."
Braun finished 2nd in the NL in batting average (.332), 6th in home runs (33) 4th in RBI (111) and stole 33 bases. He has hit at least 25 home every season he has been in the majors and has driven in at least 100 runs four times. Braun has a career batting average of .312 and a career slugging percentage of .563.
Do you believe Braun's claims of innocence, or did he merely beat the system?
Do You Believe Ryan Braun's Assertion That He Was Wrongly Accused?
