NL MVP - Ryan Braun Tests Positive for PEDs.

[Hoofbite]

The positive result was triggered by elevated levels of testosterone in Braun's system, the sources also told "Outside the Lines." A subsequent, more comprehensive test revealed the testosterone was synthetic -- not produced by Braun's body.

Every individual naturally produces testosterone and a substance called epitestosterone, typically at a ratio of 1-to-1. In Major League Baseball, if the ratio comes in at 4-to-1 or higher during testing, a player is deemed to have tested positive. The sources did not indicate how high above the threshold Braun's sample tested.

From ESPN's article.

 

[Reality]

He requested another test right after, it was negative. The guy has been gettin tested for a decade almost. He has spoken out against it, and doesnt look close to the part of a user.He is clean.

Still doesn't change the fact that Braun had Fielder hitting behind him. Will be interesting to see if Fielder leaves how well Braun does then.

#reality

 

[bbgun]

Braun is clean.

Says Ryan Braun.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Kemp played half his games in a pitcher's park and more importantly, Kept had no superstar batter protecting him. When the player batting 3rd in the line-up comes in first place in MVP voting and the guy who bats behind him comes in third place, it's safe to say that the first place guy had the best protector batting behind him in the league.

The MVP voters showed they had no understanding of the game but irregardless of what happens now, I love the fact that those voters have egg on their face.

#reality

I agree that Kemp should have won, but not because of "protection" - that concept has been debunked many many times. In general, guys hit the same with or without lineup protection, with one unsurprising exception - they get intentionally walked more often when not protected.

This year, Kemp was intentionally walked 24 times to Braun's 2. So if Kemp had been protected better, it's reasonable to assume that he'd have fewer IBBs, slightly different counting stats (one or two more HR, a few more RBI, maybe a couple fewer R and SB) at the expense of a lower OBP. The funny thing is, Kemp already led the league in HR and RBI, so that probably wouldn't have made any difference. Braun won because the Brewers won - a really stupid criterion, in my mind, but what are you going to do?

You're right about the park effects, though - that one's real, and I'm sure the writers ignored it.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Braun is clean.

So says him. Requesting a test afterwards doesn't mean he wasn't dirty when he took the initial test.

 

[03EBZ06]

He requested another test right after, it was negative. The guy has been gettin tested for a decade almost. He has spoken out against it, and doesnt look close to the part of a user.He is clean.

Not one positive test has been overturned.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I agree that Kemp should have won, but not because of "protection" - that concept has been debunked many many times. In general, guys hit the same with or without lineup protection, with one unsurprising exception - they get intentionally walked more often when not protected.

This year, Kemp was intentionally walked 24 times to Braun's 2. So if Kemp had been protected better, it's reasonable to assume that he'd have fewer IBBs, slightly different counting stats (one or two more HR, a few more RBI, maybe a couple fewer R and SB) at the expense of a lower OBP. The funny thing is, Kemp already led the league in HR and RBI, so that probably wouldn't have made any difference. Braun won because the Brewers won - a really stupid criterion, in my mind, but what are you going to do?

You're right about the park effects, though - that one's real, and I'm sure the writers ignored it.

Intentional walks don't give you a .324 batting average. Now, his .399 OBP is nice, and partially fueled by 24 intentional walks to Braun's 2. To note, even with 24 IBB, Kemp only had 16 more walks than Braun.

Kemp hit a few more HRs, but Kemp's issue is strikeouts. While there OPS was close, Kemp had 159 strikeouts to Braun's 93. This says that Kemp is a good hitter who over-swings sometimes to hit HRs. (hence the more HRs and a lot more strikeouts)

So, all said. Braun was the better hitter last year....but if it was fueled by PEDs... Well... We saw what they do/did for Juan Gonzalez and A-Rod.

 

[jimmy40]

He requested another test right after, it was negative. The guy has been gettin tested for a decade almost. He has spoken out against it, and doesnt look close to the part of a user.He is clean.

 

[Reality]

Palmeiro is clean! His 22nd test came back negative so the others don't count!

/sarcasm

#reality

 

[Royal Laegotti]

Braun is clean.

Even the statement put out by his camp said he didn't intentionally violate the substance abuse policy. So there is acknowledgement by him that he is in violation, anyone can say they didn't do it on purpose. He better just admit it or go back to purchasing pee!