Major League Baseball has suspended Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun without pay for the remainder of the 2013 season. There will
Ryan Braun
be no appeal, Braun has accepted the penalty and will serve the suspension immediately. That means Braun will miss the final 65 games of the season, starting with tonight’s series opener against the San Diego Padres.
The suspension comes as a result of baseball’s investigation into the Biogenesis clinic, which allegedly sold PEDs to players after documents were released to various news agencies earlier this year.
Braun repeatedly stated that he never used PEDs. Today’s suspension and admission by Braun shows he’s been lying all along.
Braun issued this statement about his suspension: “As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect. I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions. This situation has taken a toll on me and my entire family, and it has been a distraction to my teammates and the Brewers organization. I am very grateful for the support I have received from players, ownership and the fans in Milwaukee and around the country. Finally, I wish to apologize to anyone I may have disappointed – all of the baseball fans especially those in Milwaukee, the great Brewers organization, and my teammates. I am glad to have this matter behind me once and for all, and I cannot wait to get back to the game I love.”
MLB didn’t announce what specific violations Braun committed. Instead, it simply stated that he was suspended for the remainder of the season for violating the Joint Drug Agreement in the Basic Agreement, and that he had agreed to it.
Braun is the first player to draw a suspension out of the Biogenesis investigation, which reportedly targeted as many as 20 players.
Braun’s 2013 salary is $8.5-million this year. He’ll forfeit more than $3 million during his suspension.
The general consensus throughout the organization is one of relief. From general manager Doug Melvin right on down, everyone’s glad to have Braun’s suspension behind them.