Something fishy about Braun's drug test

by Phil Wood

National League Most Valuable Player Ryan Braun's positive drug test for - well, whatever it was - is a real head-scratcher. Inasmuch as players are reportedly 0-for-12 in getting positive tests overturned, his appeal looks like a longshot. However, I can't get past one aspect of the story.

The results of the early October test that was positive for Braun showed such an abnormally high level of testosterone - described as "off-the-charts" by some insiders - have to cast some question on the procedure. Indeed, his own advisers claim there has never been a result like this "in the history of the program."

A couple of weeks after Braun was given the results, he requested an immediate retesting, which he passed, begging this question: How long would it take such an overabundance of testosterone to clear his system? I have no idea.

In five big league seasons with the Brewers, Braun has won a Rookie of the Year award, an MVP, four Silver Sluggers and has been named to four NL All-Star teams. He's taken multiple drug tests over the years. Why would he suddenly start using a banned substance now?

There's something we don't know yet about this situation. I wouldn't count on a 50-game suspension right away.