Ryan Braun indirectly addresses positive test during MVP speech

Ryan Braun never specifically mentioned his positive drug test and possible 50-game suspension when he accepted his National League MVP award at a black-tie dinner Saturday night.

But no doubt everyone in the crowd of around 800 knew exactly what the Milwaukee Brewers left fielder was talking about when he thanked the Major League Baseball Players Assn. “especially for supporting me through everything I've went through over the last couple of months.”

Braun had more to say on the matter ... indirectly, of course.

“You know, sometimes in life, we all deal with challenges we never expected to endure,” he told the crowd Saturday in a New York hotel ballroom.

“We have an opportunity to look at those challenges and view them either as obstacles or as opportunities, and I've chosen to view every challenge I've ever faced as an opportunity and this will be no different. I have always believed that a person's character is revealed through the way they deal with those moments of adversity.”

"I've always loved and had so much respect for the game of baseball. Everything I've done in my career has been done with that respect and appreciation in mind. And that is why I'm so grateful and humbled to accept this award tonight."

Braun, who hit .312 with 33 home runs and 111 RBIs in 2011, was found to have an abnormally high level of testosterone during a drug test in October. His grievance appeal to avoid a suspension began Thursday.

He did not take questions from reporters Saturday night.


(latimes.com)