By Scoop Fox
Let's see how you talk yourself out of this one Ryan It's absolutely hilarious that MLB is going all out on Alex Rodriguez. With the way that's he portrayed, it's as if he's Aaron Hernandez II. But as we focus a lot on Alex, we turn a blind eye to somebody who is just as bad, if not worse. I'm talking about Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers.
I think it's funny we are all saying how much of poor character Alex Rodriguez, how he 'ratted out' people, that he's fighting the suspension while others accepted it, and that there's documents to prove that he took PEDs. The last time I checked, I never did read about or hear Alex say that the people going after him were anti-Hispanic. Now we look at Ryan Braun.
People are quick to forget that back in December 2011, ESPN Outside the Lines reported that a urine sample from Ryan Braun had tested positive of having high amounts of testosterone in it, a common indicator of someone using PEDs. Because it was his 'first offense', Braun was faced with the 50-game suspension. In January 2012, Braun fought the suspension, saying that the samples were tainted and questioned the test collector, Dino Laurenzi Jr, about his manner of collection and storage process. It was then found out later that Braun attacked Mr. Laurenzi Jr's credentials, going as far as to saying that the official was anti-Semitic, even though there was no evidence of such an accusation. MLB ruled in favor of Braun, thus not suspending him and allowing him to play due to a 'technicality' in the collection process.
So there was evidence stemming back to 2011 of Ryan Braun's PED usage. Not only was there documentation but, MLB had actual urine samples. Ryan Braun fought his suspension, just like Alex is doing right now, but somehow that's okay because there was a 'technicality' involved. Playing the race/religion card also helps too, right Ryan?
But it gets even better. In February of this year, Yahoo Sports reported that Ryan Braun's name But appeared three times in the Biogenesis Clinic's record, including the fact he owed the clinic between $20,000 - $30,000. Braun vehemently denied this, saying he only used the clinic's operator, Anthony Bosch, as a consultant for his appeal. Funny, didn't Alex once mention he used Bosch as a consultant for his injury rehab during this year?
Then finally more documentation came out that linked Braun to the Biogenesis clinic. Receipts that show proof of purchase, a list of names, and a phone directory. Say... isn't that the same kind of evidence that people are using against Alex? Then on June 4, 2013, it was found that Ryan Braun was in fact taking PEDs, and was in fact linked to Biogenesis. But because he 'agreed' to go through the suspension, Braun only got 65 games. What's the matter? Aren't you going to appeal this and call everybody else an anti-Semite?
Now everybody knows MLB is going after Alex Rodriguez even harder is because he signed that monstrous 10-year, $275 million deal back in 2007. People tend to forget that in order for a deal to be finalized: BOTH SIDES NEED TO AGREE TO IT. Yankees management agreed to the contract then. Now they realize it was a stupid decision and are trying to get out of it.
But people don't realize that Ryan Braun also signed a big time extension with the Milwaukee Brewers back in April of 2011, a 5-year $105 million deal that runs into 2022. His current 8-year, $45 million contract runs out at the end of the 2015 season. He'll get paid $11 million in 2014 and $13 million in 2015. Then the extension kicks in after 2015:
But that's okay folks. Braun plays for Milwaukee, a small-market city so it's cool. It's not like his contract is going to be the highest on the team, forcing the Brewers to cut costs with a lot of their other players just to get under their team's low budget. Psh, no way.
So, before you congratulate Ryan Dempster for essentially playing the role of vigilante, remember that there were other players who got caught, other players who lied, and other players who cheated. If I had a choice, I would rather see Ryan Braun get beaned instead of Alex. He not only lied to us all multiple times, he attacked a man's credentials, the MLB drug testing policy, played the 'Everybody is anti-semtic' card, and I bet you he would sell his own mother up the river if it meant getting a lower suspension. If there was any other player more deserving of the 211-game suspension, I say give it Braun and tell him to eat. That's true justice.
People are quick to forget that back in December 2011, ESPN Outside the Lines reported that a urine sample from Ryan Braun had tested positive of having high amounts of testosterone in it, a common indicator of someone using PEDs. Because it was his 'first offense', Braun was faced with the 50-game suspension. In January 2012, Braun fought the suspension, saying that the samples were tainted and questioned the test collector, Dino Laurenzi Jr, about his manner of collection and storage process. It was then found out later that Braun attacked Mr. Laurenzi Jr's credentials, going as far as to saying that the official was anti-Semitic, even though there was no evidence of such an accusation. MLB ruled in favor of Braun, thus not suspending him and allowing him to play due to a 'technicality' in the collection process.
So there was evidence stemming back to 2011 of Ryan Braun's PED usage. Not only was there documentation but, MLB had actual urine samples. Ryan Braun fought his suspension, just like Alex is doing right now, but somehow that's okay because there was a 'technicality' involved. Playing the race/religion card also helps too, right Ryan?
But it gets even better. In February of this year, Yahoo Sports reported that Ryan Braun's name But appeared three times in the Biogenesis Clinic's record, including the fact he owed the clinic between $20,000 - $30,000. Braun vehemently denied this, saying he only used the clinic's operator, Anthony Bosch, as a consultant for his appeal. Funny, didn't Alex once mention he used Bosch as a consultant for his injury rehab during this year?
Then finally more documentation came out that linked Braun to the Biogenesis clinic. Receipts that show proof of purchase, a list of names, and a phone directory. Say... isn't that the same kind of evidence that people are using against Alex? Then on June 4, 2013, it was found that Ryan Braun was in fact taking PEDs, and was in fact linked to Biogenesis. But because he 'agreed' to go through the suspension, Braun only got 65 games. What's the matter? Aren't you going to appeal this and call everybody else an anti-Semite?
Now everybody knows MLB is going after Alex Rodriguez even harder is because he signed that monstrous 10-year, $275 million deal back in 2007. People tend to forget that in order for a deal to be finalized: BOTH SIDES NEED TO AGREE TO IT. Yankees management agreed to the contract then. Now they realize it was a stupid decision and are trying to get out of it.
But people don't realize that Ryan Braun also signed a big time extension with the Milwaukee Brewers back in April of 2011, a 5-year $105 million deal that runs into 2022. His current 8-year, $45 million contract runs out at the end of the 2015 season. He'll get paid $11 million in 2014 and $13 million in 2015. Then the extension kicks in after 2015:
- 2016-2018: $19 million base salary but can grow as much as to $20 million if Braun wins any awards (Silver Slugger, MVP, etc.)
- 2019: $18 million base salary
- 2020: $16 million base salary
- 2021: $15 million base salary
But that's okay folks. Braun plays for Milwaukee, a small-market city so it's cool. It's not like his contract is going to be the highest on the team, forcing the Brewers to cut costs with a lot of their other players just to get under their team's low budget. Psh, no way.
So, before you congratulate Ryan Dempster for essentially playing the role of vigilante, remember that there were other players who got caught, other players who lied, and other players who cheated. If I had a choice, I would rather see Ryan Braun get beaned instead of Alex. He not only lied to us all multiple times, he attacked a man's credentials, the MLB drug testing policy, played the 'Everybody is anti-semtic' card, and I bet you he would sell his own mother up the river if it meant getting a lower suspension. If there was any other player more deserving of the 211-game suspension, I say give it Braun and tell him to eat. That's true justice.
