Ryan Braun Speaks After Winning His Appeal - East Idaho News
Sports

Ryan Braun Speaks After Winning His Appeal

  Published at

BRAUN?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1330120086019Robert Binder/MLB Photos via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — For the first time since successfully appealing his suspension for using performance enhancing drugs, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder and reigning National League MVP Ryan Braun spoke to the media from the team’s spring training site.

Braun tested positive for elevated testosterone in October when the Brewers were still in the playoffs. News of his positive test became public knowledge after an ESPN report in December. Braun didn’t argue that the urine sample he provided on October 1 was tampered with or dispute the science, but he did question the chain of custody and collection procedure.

“I can only answer for myself,” Braun said. “The program, as it applied to me, was fatally flawed. I’ve certainly been frustrated by the process. I’ve felt it’s been unfair.”

“I’d bet my life that this substance never entered my body.”

Even though Braun’s name has been cleared, and he will not have to serve a 50-game suspension, he knows that this is an issue that could follow him for a long time.

“I’m not dumb enough to pretend this is going away,” Braun said. “I’m going to deal with this for a while. It’s going to be a challenge.”

Shyam Das, the arbitrator for Braun’s case, has been baseball’s independent arbitrator since 2000. He has 30 days to submit a written statement over the reasons for his decision to rule in Braun’s favor.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

SUBMIT A CORRECTION