Ryan Braun...

Best article I've read yet on the matter...

[sports.yahoo.com]

As a baseball fan, I'm absolutely furious. As a Bus Selig hater, I don't believe for a second that he's upset with the fact that his boy Ryan Braun was able to get out of using steroids.

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Jason Witt
Owner - Starved Rock Magi
E-Mail : magi@fp-baseball.com
Google Talk - jasonawitt@gmail.com
YIM - witts11

The reaction to this story and the use of the word "technicality" is absolutely sickening to me. Chain of Custody exists for a REASON. Ryan Braun does not have to argue in the appeal process that he did not take the alleged substance, and, frankly, in the 'get 'em guilty' process that MLB created, it would not work as a defense. J.C. Romero proved that he was practically innocent, as Braun claims he is, and it did not make a bit of difference in his 50-game suspension.

Evidence needs to be verified and trustworthy. If you cannot accept that, then I pray you have zero connection whatsoever to the legal system. People saying that Braun didn't argue his innocence don't get how these things work. When you're talking chemical testing and lab work, the Chain of Custody is as important as any factor. It's innocent until proven guilty in this country, a fact that gets lost in public opinion. If you cannot prove that the evidence used to convict is 100% valid, how is it fair to punish the subject? I'm sure that if, God forbid, you were picked up on suspicion of DWI, that you would be okay if they completely screwed up your Blood-Alcohol testing and used it against you anyway, right?

The correct and ONLY reaction to this story is WE DON'T KNOW. Take Braun at face value or don't, that's your call. But to say he 'beat the system' or got off on a technicality is DEAD WRONG. These safeguards is exist for a reason because civil rights still actually matter.

The laughable part is that MLB wrote the law, wrote the rules, wrote the procedures and is judge, jury, and executioner and STILL SCREWED IT UP. The only role they don't play in this system is 'Supreme Court.' It's pathetic that MLB can write rules and procedures and then try to argue that their violation is inconsequential.

HERE is a good article on the subject:

[msn.foxsports.com]

Steve, you're my new hero.

From my understanding, if you fail the first test, you are required to take a second test immediately. If they match, you're "guilty". Were both test screwed up?

David Furstein
GM New York Jaywalkers
david.furstein@gmail.com

New York Jaywalkers Wrote:
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> From my understanding, if you fail the first test,
> you are required to take a second test
> immediately. If they match, you're "guilty". Were
> both test screwed up?

Neither test was screwed up. Braun's legal team didn't spend one second arguing about how the sample was so high or that the samples were tampered with in any way, because they weren't. The professionl (yes... professional) who handled the samples prior to them getting shipped to the lab did exactly the same thing that is acceptable for any other sport in the world that does testing, the olympics, the medical field, employers... But because of the loophole that they found in MLB's policy that makes Braun "innocent"? If I become a serial murderer and post videos of all the murders online for everyone to see but my lawyers get me off because I didn't have my Miranda Rights read to me, am I not a murderer? Would you be cool with me watching your kids for you or spending some quality time with your family and friends?

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Jason Witt
Owner - Starved Rock Magi
E-Mail : magi@fp-baseball.com
Google Talk - jasonawitt@gmail.com
YIM - witts11

If not cool with you watching my fictional kids, even if you weren't a murderer... they would all become commies

David Furstein
GM New York Jaywalkers
david.furstein@gmail.com

New York Jaywalkers Wrote:
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> If not cool with you watching my fictional kids,
> even if you weren't a murderer... they would all
> become commies

Well that's true.

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Jason Witt
Owner - Starved Rock Magi
E-Mail : magi@fp-baseball.com
Google Talk - jasonawitt@gmail.com
YIM - witts11

Ryan Braun merely escaped punishment through a technicality. In my eyes, he has the scarlet letter of "cheater" next to his name and will for the rest of his career. I hope the fans let him hear it every game.

What you call 'technicality,' the world refers to as 'Due Process.'

So, are you insinuating that the sample collector did something in his magic refrigerator than caused it to test positively for synthetic testosterone. Did he accidentally spill some Sunny Delight into it or something?

While I agree that this whole process was handled badly, there is also no doubt in my mind that Ryan Braun took an illegal substance. He either did so knowlingly, or perhaps worse, was unaware of what he was putting in his body. Either way, he broke the rules and was able to get out because the Players Association lawyers (our motto, "the player is never wrong!" ) were able to find him an out.

You can believe what you want to believe. I believe that he is guilty and is blessed with very competent lawyers. I also believe Bud Selig is an idiot and MLB is hamstrung by incompitence.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/24/2012 10:09PM by Arrowhead Griffins.

I'm not insinuating that he did anything. However, Chain of Custody exists because we don't know what happens in that period where the chain is broken. It's not to say the evidence WAS bad but it COULD have been bad, and people have civil rights. Part of those rights are Due Process and being innocent until PROVEN guilty. If the evidence is screwed up, then all we know is that he's 'not guilty.' Not guilty doesn't necessarily mean innocent. To me, it just means we truly don't know and probably won't.

though i bleed blue and gold for the crew and i am happy braun is gonna be with us (which probably wont even matter) this is awful. AWFUL for braun, awful for the game of baseball, awful for all parties involved....

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Richie Cook
Milwaukee Beers
CookRC08@uww.edu
@RCC_THREE

Richie you don't think the Brew Crew will contend this year? They lost Prince but they still have a great starting staff and a good offence. SS looks to be in a better place. 3B won't be the black hole it was last year. The Cards are down Pujols. The Reds are making a push but the rest of the division is 2nd tier unless Pittsburgh takes a step up. Anyway I think Milwaukee will have a better year than you think.

As for Braun... procedure wasn't followed (2 day delay in getting the test to the lab) and the test showed levels 3 times higher than any player had previously tested positive for steroids. Seems like reasonable doubt to me. Look forward to the judge's written decision. Alternatively send him to Gitmo, and deny him a hearing because you know he's guilty but you can't convict him...

[espn.go.com]

David Furstein
GM New York Jaywalkers
david.furstein@gmail.com

New York Jaywalkers Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> [espn.go.com]
> e-brewers-ryan-braun-case-sample-collector-says-fo
> llowed-protocols

Exactly.

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Jason Witt
Owner - Starved Rock Magi
E-Mail : magi@fp-baseball.com
Google Talk - jasonawitt@gmail.com
YIM - witts11

So fifteen wrongs make it right?

Glad you finally see it our way

David Furstein
GM New York Jaywalkers
david.furstein@gmail.com

I wonder why the other players' samples didn't magically grow synthetic testosterone even though they were handled the same exact way.

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Jason Witt
Owner - Starved Rock Magi
E-Mail : magi@fp-baseball.com
Google Talk - jasonawitt@gmail.com
YIM - witts11