Ryan Braun apologetic, upbeat at 'On Deck'

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In the midst of his first large-scale public appearance in Milwaukee since his 65-game suspension last season, Ryan Braun remained upbeat and apologetic in addressing the media prior to 'Brewers On Deck' at the Wisconsin Center on Sunday morning.

"I’m excited to be back," said Braun, dressed in a navy Brewers jersey and jeans.

"It’s always nice to be back. I think since my extended off-season began I’ve been back a few times, and everybody’s been extremely supportive. It’s great to be back. The weather’s a little bit colder than what I’m typically used to this time of the year, but aside from that it’s good to be back.

"Nice to see everybody and it’ll be nice to interact with the fans."

Like all Brewers players, Braun's obligations at the annual 'On Deck' event run the gamut from media availability to radio spots to autograph signings and everything in between. Braun had yet to hit the event floor at the Wisconsin Center when he met with the media late Sunday morning, but said to that point his experiences with Brewers fans had been overwhelmingly positive.

"I’ve actually had a lot of interaction with the fans and everybody’s been great," he said. "Everybody’s been incredibly supportive. I know last time I was here with you guys in November you asked about what I expected or anticipated. I don’t really expect or anticipate anything, so we’ll see how it goes."

When asked what kind of reception he expects away from Miller Park moving forward, Braun hinted that the boos and catcalls will serve as a source of motivation for him.

"I really don’t think about stuff like that very much," he said. "I try not to focus on the things that are out of my control. With that being said I’ve already experienced this already in the past a couple times. Dealt with it in 2012, dealt with it for the majority of 2013, so I think I have an idea of what I’m getting myself into.

"As a competitor, in a really odd way I enjoy it. I think it’s fun. I think the more hostile an environment is the more enjoyable it is. I just enjoy that pressure. In a really unique way, I actually enjoy and look forward to it."

Among the mea culpas Braun has attempted since the Biogenesis scandal and his subsequent suspension was his idea to call Brewers ticket holders. He provided a few more details about those calls when asked about them today, saying he called all Miller Park suiteholders as well as "quite a few" season ticket holders.

"It was great. I think it was a really unique experience," he said. "There were a lot of people who really didn’t believe it was me initially. Actually I think everybody was really supportive, which was cool. It was something I had no idea what to expect or anticipate, but I enjoyed it. It was fun."

Braun acknowledged he had a "challenging conversation" with one fan.

"It wasn't surprising in any way," he said. "I made a mistake, I made a big mistake. I don't expect everybody to be supportive or everybody to be understanding or everybody to understand where I was coming from. Certainly I didn't anticipate the amount of support I received."

Braun is also aware it will be a process for him as far as fans accepting him following his suspension.

“I don’t ever know if I could apologize enough for what’s occurred, you know? I just continue to move forward and obviously I’ll be apologetic. I wish I could go back and do things differently, but I can’t. All I can do is move forward and make the best of the opportunities presented to me.”

Braun, who married longtime girlfriend Larisa Fraser not long ago, said the off-season was a positive one for him overall.

"Yeah, it's been unique. Overall, it's been extremely enjoyable," he said. "I don't think I've ever been happier, I don't think I've ever enjoyed life more, I don't think I've ever been in a better place. From that perspective it's been beautiful. The wedding was amazing.

"I'm excited and looking forward to the next year while trying to learn from everything I went through this year."

If Braun is unsure whether he'll be able to put up numbers without the 'extra edge' he had previously, as one questioner put it, he certainly isn't letting on.
"I think I’ll be better than I’ve ever been," he said. "Very confident in that.”

Braun would not address any further questions regarding details about his PED usage, continuing the approach he used in his last public appearance just prior to Thanksgiving at a Brewers charity event.

"Again, I appreciate there is still interest in this stuff, but I addressed everything in November when I was here for the charity event, and I think I addressed it pretty specifically in the statement that we gave (in August," he said.

"I think that addressed it pretty specifically as far as exactly what it was and when it occurred.”

Braun also wouldn't discuss the Alex Rodriguez situation, saying he hadn't been paying close attention to it.

As far as baseball, Braun said his balky right thumb is healed and he looked forward to his upcoming move to right field.

"They just asked if I would be open to it, and I said absolutely," Braun said. "I told them I'd play anywhere other than third base because third base and I didn't go very well together. I don't expect it to be easy. In left field you get used to the ball coming off the bat a certain way and a certain direction.

"In Arizona I'll have plenty of time to get my work in. It's something I look forward to, but I expect it to be challenging."

Braun was also in favor of the addition of free-agent starter Matt Garza, whose deal with the Brewers is still apparently in the works.

"I think the Garza thing is extremely exciting," he said. "I’m excited about it. Hopefully it’s something that ends up working out for us [because] I think he could be a difference-maker. Facing him over the last few years, I think he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball. One of the toughest at-bats. Great stuff. Very competitive -- a fiery competitor, which is something I think could benefit the whole pitching staff and our whole team.

"Nori getting traded, I think year and year out there’s so much change, so much turnover in the roster. Khris Davis, I think, is going to be a really good player. The organization really believes in him and hopefully it will be a seamless transition there.

"Mark Reynolds is a guy I’ve known for a long time. We played together in the Fall League, and I’ve known him, actually, since college. So I’m excited to have him on the team and I think he’s going to be big for us, especially in our ballpark."


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(jsonline.com)
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