Ryan Braun Wins Drug Appeal... Technically

The recent big drug scandal in MLB was with Ryan Braun, the reigning NL MVP, who tested positive for a PED sometime last season. Ryan Braun then appealed the results in order to try and avoid a 50 game suspension, something that seems like a waste of time in this kind of situation. It wasn't for Ryan Braun. Braun actually won the appeal. His team seemed to attack the technical aspect of carrying out the drug tests citing mishandling the shipment and the sample. He won thanks to a procedural error on the part of a third party. Earlier today, Braun spoke out in front of the media and declared his innocence once more. He said he beat this because "the truth is on my side."

First of all, I have seen too many episodes of Law & Order to just simply think he is innocent because of minor mishandling of the evidence or the sampling. Does that raise my cred at all? Second, I'm not saying he is guilty either. I don't know how the actual test could've been affected by this mishandling or if it could've been affected at all. All I can say is that there is doubt, more significant doubt than any other person accused of PED use, that Braun is actually guilty of the charge. As it stands, I would just abstain if someone asked me whether or not I thought Ryan Braun was ever a PED user. I am open to convincing but right now I don't hold anything against Ryan Braun.

So what does this mean for the future with Baseball and drugs? Not sure yet. It could mean players would have stronger cases for overturning suspensions and positive results. What will be very interesting to see is whether or not MLB will try and file a suit over this result. They disagree (to put it lightly) with the third voter, Shyam Das, for ultimately deciding Braun's fate considering the other two guys ultimately vote on the side of the players and the league respectively. This episode of "Law & Order: MLB Narcotics" might have a surprising sequel on the horizon.