Finish the job, Bud

[ChicosBailBonds]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9500252/ryan-braun-milwaukee-brewers-suspended-remainder-2013-season

[TallTitan34]

I hope he apologizes to the man he threw under the bus when he got off on a technicality. 

[TallTitan34]

Dino Laurenzi

[Dish]

Aaron Rodgers mea culpa coming? Talk about foot in mouth, yikes.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

-"Today is for everybody who has ever been wrongly accused. The simple truth is that I'm innocent. The truth is always relevant and the truth prevailed."

-"If I had done this intentionally or unintentionally, I'd be the first one to step up and say I did it," Braun said. "I would bet my life this substance never entered my body."

-"I've lived this nightmare every day for the last four months," Braun said. "At the end of the day, the truth prevailed. I'm the victim of a process that completely broke down."

All from Ryan Braun's 2012 press conference after winning his last appeal.

H8TERS GONNA H8

[4everwarriors]

Braun's one, big, lyin', hairy, wet cat.

[mu_hilltopper]

It's all kind of strange, though.   He failed a test which got reversed on appeal.   I haven't read he failed another test.

You can bet your arse there'd be more of a stink with him done for the season, if the Brewers weren't awful this year with no hope for post-season.

[Dish]

The Biogenesis evidence forthcoming is so overwhelming against Braun, he basically plea bargained with MLB to take a suspension now, considering his salary goes up again next year.

Evidence allegedly is that Braun has used PEDs since day 1, it's pretty damning apparently. Notice no appeal from the union, that says it all.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I am confused still...does Brauny have herpes or not?

[NavinRJohnson]

I hope he apologizes to the man he threw under the bus when he got off on a technicality. 

Thank you Boers and Bernstein.

http://deadspin.com/ryan-braun-does-not-owe-the-sample-collector-an-apology-873467302

[buckchuckler]

What does that have to do with those guys?

[LAZER]

Thank you Boers and Bernstein.

http://deadspin.com/ryan-braun-does-not-owe-the-sample-collector-an-apology-873467302

So is Sean Newell of Deadspin the authority on this?

[NavinRJohnson]

So is Sean Newell of Deadspin the authority on this?

No, but I happen to think he's correct. That's all.

[jesmu84]

"#Braun had first meeting w MLB June 29. He took 5th, but clear from q's MLB had extensive evidence. Sought 2nd meeting to strike deal. (1)"
"Braun wanted to complete suspension before next season. MLB wanted to establish precedent & avoid arbitration, but suspend more than 50."
"Evidence showed Braun used sophisticated doping regimen for extended period. (3)"
"More suspensions are coming, but MLB wanted to start Braun suspension ASAP, so announced ahead of others. (4)"
"Sources tell @OTLonESPN evidence on A-Rod far beyond evidence v Braun. Charges expected to include accusation he interfered w investigation."
"Signifcant point for MLB: Braun's admission makes it very hard for other players to attack Tony Bosch's credibility. (7)"

https://twitter.com/TJQuinnESPN

[jesmu84]

Also, and this has been talked about some... but what is the real deterrent for any player in any league in any sport not to use PEDs? If you get away with it for a season or two, cash in with a good contract and endorsements from your success while using, you and your family could be set for life. So, again, why would you not do it?

A question going around twitter today pretty aptly describes the situation: "Would you take steroids if meant $100 million & lifetime financial security for your family?" (obviously that number is high, but still)

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

If it's the case that A-Rod was interfering with the investigation, he needs to be put on permanent ineligibility for HOF.

Pete Rose was a net positive for the game with his hard play, I don't think A-Rod and this generation of steroid users have been anything but negative for the game in the long run.

[hairy worthen]

The Biogenesis evidence forthcoming is so overwhelming against Braun, he basically plea bargained with MLB to take a suspension now, considering his salary goes up again next year.

Evidence allegedly is that Braun has used PEDs since day 1, it's pretty damning apparently. Notice no appeal from the union, that says it all.

I am sure they had overwhelming evidence on him, but this is not the same union they had with Fehr. I think the players as a whole want to see this cleaned up and the union agreed to the drug policy. Braun himself may have wanted to avoid a lengthy appeal to just get it over with. The Brewer's season is already lost and Braun has been injured, so it makes since to take the punishment now

[MerrittsMustache]

Also, and this has been talked about some... but what is the real deterrent for any player in any league in any sport not to use PEDs? If you get away with it for a season or two, cash in with a good contract and endorsements from your success while using, you and your family could be set for life. So, again, why would you not do it?

A question going around twitter today pretty aptly describes the situation: "Would you take steroids if meant $100 million & lifetime financial security for your family?" (obviously that number is high, but still)

I had posted this on the MLB Thread...

I'm a firm believe that if a player violates MLB's drug policy, he should be required to re-pay his organization all of the money that they've paid him as a Major Leaguer. Think that would be a deterrent?

[hairy worthen]

Also, and this has been talked about some... but what is the real deterrent for any player in any league in any sport not to use PEDs? If you get away with it for a season or two, cash in with a good contract and endorsements from your success while using, you and your family could be set for life. So, again, why would you not do it?

A question going around twitter today pretty aptly describes the situation: "Would you take steroids if meant $100 million & lifetime financial security for your family?" (obviously that number is high, but still)

1.   Public scorn.
2.   Hatred from peers.
3.   Personal dignity and character.
4.   Future health risks.
5.   Risk missing out on hall of fame.
6.   Loss of endorsements.
7.   Being known as a cheater and liar for the rest of your life.
9.   Large head and small raisen-like nuts.


But that's just me.

[Lennys Tap]

9.   Large head and small penis.

I think your penis is ok but your nuts become raison like.

[hairy worthen]

Aaron Rodgers mea culpa coming? Talk about foot in mouth, yikes.

Apologize for what?  He stood up for a friend. Braun may have told Rodgers he didn't do it, Rodgers believed him. It will be interesting to see where Rodgers goes with it, but he doesn't need to apologize.  Are you suggesting Rodgers is also using PEDs?

[hairy worthen]

I think your penis is ok but your nuts become raison like.

FIFY

[jesmu84]

1.   Public scorn.
2.   Hatred from peers.
3.   Personal dignity and character.
4.   Future health risks.
5.   Risk missing out on hall of fame.
6.   Loss of endorsements.
7.   Being known as a cheater and liar for the rest of your life.
9.   Large head and small raisen-like nuts.


But that's just me.

These players know the risks before they take them and choose to anyway to succeed/get paid in their sports, so even they must believe there isn't much to worry about.  There is no real punishment/risk outside of possible future health complications. If they succeed, they get paid. If the don't succeed, they're in the same place pre-PEDs. They don't go to jail. They don't lose money (outside of legals fees, etc). They aren't kicked out of their sport (usually). Seriously, no significant punishment or, more importantly, significant deterrent from using.

[TallTitan34]

Apologize for what?  He stood up for a friend. Braun may have told Rodgers he didn't do it, Rodgers believed him. It will be interesting to see where Rodgers goes with it, but he doesn't need to apologize.  Are you suggesting Rodgers is also using PEDs?

I think Rodgers owes this guy $40 million:
http://www.nydailynews.com/packers-qb-rodgers-loses-twitter-bet-39-5m-salary-braun-clean-article-1.1406181

[hairy worthen]

I think Rodgers owes this guy $40 million:
http://www.nydailynews.com/packers-qb-rodgers-loses-twitter-bet-39-5m-salary-braun-clean-article-1.1406181

That's funny.  I wonder how pissed Rodgers is at Braun right now and it will be interesting to see how he responds to this going forward