NEWS UPDATE
Braun will need 3-4 weeks to recover from offseason back surgery, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.

ROTOWIRE FANTASY ANALYSIS
This comes as no surprise considering the Brewers expected Braun to need at least a month of rest in order to heal from an offseason surgery on his back. New general manager David Stearns didn't anticipate any complications with Braun saying, "Our expectation is he'll be ready to go when we get to Maryvale (for spring training)."


(rotowire.com)

MILWAUKEE — Right fielder Ryan Braun is recovering after undergoing a surgical procedure on his back but is expected to be at full strength when the Milwaukee Brewers begin spring training in February.

General manager David Stearns said the 31-year-old Braun was feeling as good as possible after having the surgery shortly after the season. The Brewers hope the procedure eliminates the pain that caused Braun to miss 14 of the last 18 games of the season.

"It was successful," Stearns said Thursday night during a town hall meeting with season ticket holders at Miller Park. "He's feeling as well as he can and we're looking forward to him having a healthy year."

The team said Braun needs three to four weeks to recover before beginning his offseason routine.

Braun bounced back this season after a disappointing 2014, hitting .285 with 25 homers and 84 RBIs, along with 24 stolen bases.

Braun's surgery was the only major medical update on Milwaukee's roster. The Brewers are entering a transitional phase under Stearns, hired last month to replace Doug Melvin.


(madison.com)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Right fielder Ryan Braun has been named the Milwaukee Brewers Most Valuable Player by the Milwaukee chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Braun received seven first-place votes in the balloting announced Tuesday. Braun batted .285 with 25 home runs, 84 RBIs and 24 stolen bases in 140 games, and was selected for his sixth All-Star Game. It's the third time Braun has won the MVP award.

Right-hander Francisco Rodriguez was voted Brewers Most Valuable Pitcher, earning all seven first-place votes. Rodriguez went 1-3 with a 2.21 ERA and 38 saves in 60 appearances, and was named to his sixth All-Star Game.

First baseman Adam Lind earned Brewers Top Newcomer, Jeremy Jeffress won Brewers Unsung Hero honors and Jonathan Lucroy won his third consecutive Good Guy Award.


(usatoday.com)

NEWS UPDATE
Braun (back) will undergo an MRI on Wednesday and will likely have surgery Thursday, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

ROTOWIRE FANTASY ANALYSIS
Braun didn't play in any of the final six games of the season, and it appears he's now set to undergo an offseason procedure that's expected to need a month of recovery. However, it shouldn't impact his availability for the beginning of the 2016 season.


(rotowire.com)

Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun (back) was shut down by the Brewers on Sunday due to a lack of progress in his rehab, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Braun did get a start Saturday, but it was a rough outing where he went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts. It's a safe move long-term for the Brewers, as they aren't going to allow a marquee player risk his 2016 season for a lost year.

This will wrap up a strong season for the right fielder, in which he went .285/.356/.498 with 25 home runs and 24 steals. He's slated to undergo surgery on his back in the coming weeks.


(cbssports.com)

Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun remains out of the lineup with a back injury and will undergo surgery at the end of the season, according to a report by MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.

Braun, who has missed multiple games throughout the season with the same injury, is in the midst of his best statistical year since 2012. In 138 games this season, Braun is batting .287/.359/.503 with 25 home runs, 84 RBIs and 87 runs scored.

On Aug. 19, Braun, the 2011 National League MVP, became the all-time home run leader in Brewers' history, as he surpassed Robin Yount's previous record of 251.

Over the next five seasons, the 31-year-old is owed $105 million by the Brewers.

Milwaukee has already been eliminated from postseason contention this year with a record of 63–86. 


(si.com)

One would never know from watching him perform in recent weeks, but Ryan Braun has been playing with a bad back.

The Milwaukee Brewers' all-star right fielder was out of the starting lineup Wednesday night against St. Louis, scratched with lower back tightness. Braun didn't want to make a big deal of it, but it seemed more than a minor issue, perhaps something that might have to be addressed after the season.

"It's something that has built up over time," said Braun, who has been getting regular treatment on the back. "Some days are better than others. I've had some challenging days lately.

"I don't think it'll get better for a while. You just kind of grind through it. I don't want to get into it too much. There's some stuff going on. It's pretty serious. Hopefully, I'll be fine to play tomorrow."

The issue hasn't curtailed Braun's production at the plate. He is batting .376 (41 for 109) over his last 29 games with six home runs and 21 RBI. After hitting .417 on the Brewers' last trip, he has a .291 average with 25 home runs, 84 runs batted in and 23 stolen bases.

"I've been swinging the bat a lot better," said Braun, who was hampered in past seasons by a chronic thumb issue.

"I've got my bat path back to a place where it's really good. I'm back where I want to be where it's repeatable and give myself a lot of room for error. I'm hitting a lot of balls on the barrel. I still feel like I've hit the ball a lot better than the numbers indicate. But overall the swing's been pretty good."

Manager Craig Counsell said he was hopeful Braun would be back in the lineup Thursday night.

"Ryan's had an outstanding season," said Counsell. "He has been productive; he's been consistent, he's been a good all-around player, he's been good in the clubhouse.

"He has been a very, very good player. He's been an all-star. He has played like an all-star."


(jsonline.com)

Ryan Braun moved past Hall of Famer Robin Yount on Milwaukee's home run list Wednesday to become the franchise's all-time leader.

Braun's sixth-inning solo shot against Marlins pitcher Chris Narveson was the 252nd of his career and gave Milwaukee an 8-6 lead.

Braun, a six-time All-Star, was the 2011 National League MVP after hitting 33 home runs. He followed with a career-high 41 homers in 2012, but was suspended for 65 games in 2013 for violating MLB's policy on performance-enhancing drugs and his involvement with the infamous Biogenesis clinic in Miami.

Braun came back in 2014, but set career-lows with a .266 average and 19 home runs. He did lead the Brewers with 81 RBIs and six triples as the Brewers led the NL Central for most of the season before falling apart late in the year. 

Braun, a nine-year veteran, is hitting .276 this season and now has 22 home runs with 72 RBIs. 

Hank Aaron, who retired as baseball's home run king, hit 755 career homers — playing the final two seasons of his 23-year MLB career with the Brewers, hitting 22 home runs with the club.

Prince Fielder, who is currently with the Rangers, is third on Milwaukee's all-time home run list with 230 homers over seven seasons. Former Brewers sluggers Gorman Thomas (208) and Rob Deer (137) rank fifth and 13th, respectively, on the franchise's all-time list.

Geoff Jenkins, who hit 212 homers over 10 seasons in Milwaukee, is fourth on the list. Former Brewers first baseman Cecil Cooper is the only other player in franchise history with over 200 career home runs, hitting 201 with the team from 1977-1987. 

Yount, twice the American League MVP, Thomas, Cooper and Hall of Famer Paul Molitor were key players on Milwaukee's power-hitting "Harvey's Wallbangers" team that reached the 1982 World Series before losing in seven games to the Cardinals. 


(sportingnews.com)

In grand fashion, Ryan Braun made some Brewers history on Sunday.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, Braun unloaded for a grand slam. Here it is:



The blast was the 251st home run of Braun's career, which ties him with Robin Yount for the most in Brewers history.

Here's the top five:
1. Braun, 251
1. Yount, 251
3. Prince Fielder, 230
4. Geoff Jenkins, 212
5. Gorman Thomas, 208

The Brewers franchise only dates back to 1970 (or 1969, if we include the one Seattle Pilots season), so it's not all too surprising to see such a low number for the franchise leader. Some are even lower. Here they are:

Nationals/Expos (Vladimir Guerrero, 234)
Diamondbacks (Luis Gonzalez, 224)
Rays (Evan Longoria, 197)
Marlins (Giancarlo Stanton, 181)
Padres (Nate Colbert, 163)

Of note: Darryl Strawberry holds the Mets' record with 252, so the next Braun homer ties that. Also, that Padres leader is a pretty good way to stump your friends with a trivia question.


(cbssports.com)

Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun blasted his 250th career home run in the first inning of Wednesday's game at the Chicago Cubs, moving him one home run shy of tying Robin Yount for the franchise's all-time record.

Braun has reached his total far faster than the Hall-of-Famer Yount. According to MLB.com, Braun has hit 250 long balls in 4,619 at-bats while Yount hit 251 in 11,008 at-bats.

Watch career homer No. 250 for Ryan Braun. http://t.co/8eh0gSIBXz #Brewers pic.twitter.com/My5ixYteb9

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) August 13, 2015

Braun's total will likely be looked at with scrutiny because of his 2013 suspension for using performance enhancing drugs. He now has 20 home runs on the season, his high since 2012 when he finished second in National League MVP voting.


(foxsports.com)

Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun provided the only serious offense his team would mount in the 8-3 loss to the Diamondbacks on Thursday. Braun launched a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to put the Brewers on the board. It was too little, too late however, as the Brewers fell 8-3 to Arizona.

The home run was Braun's 17th of the season and just his second this month. It was his only hit of the game, as struck out in all three of his other at-bats on Thursday.


(cbssports.com)

Milwaukee right-fielder Ryan Braun, who was booed during the pregame introductions, pinch hit to lead off the ninth. He tripled to right off Minnesota's Glen Perkins and scored on Brandon Crawford's sacrifice fly.




(jsonline.com)

Los Angeles — Ryan Braun's plans for the all-star break changed quickly and dramatically on Sunday.

Now, instead of remaining home in the Los Angeles area and spending time with family and friends, the Milwaukee Brewers rightfielder will be traveling to Cincinnati to take part in his sixth All-Star Game, which is Tuesday night.

Braun was named as a replacement for the injured Matt Holliday by National League manager Bruce Bochy.

"It's a good problem to have," said Braun with a smile minutes before the Brewers' 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Braun homered in his first at-bat and finished the day 2 for 4.

"Logistically it makes things a little more challenging with a 10-month-old baby, but a good problem to have. A tremendous honor to have an opportunity to go to the All-Star Game again.

"It's something I'm really proud of. It's something that's extremely difficult to do, and I'm really looking forward to it."

Holliday has been out with a right quadriceps strain since June 8, and Braun admitted the news he'd take Holliday's place surprised him a bit.

"Obviously when guys get hurt you know there's an opportunity, potentially," he said. "I had a decent first half — certainly deserving of at least being in the conversation. When guys get hurt, ultimately it isn't the way you want to end up in the All-Star Game, but it's a tremendous honor to be there nonetheless."

Manager Craig Counsell believes Braun was well-deserving of the honor.

"I'm thrilled for him," he said. "Six All-Star Games is pretty incredible. I know it means a lot to him."

It will be the first time Braun will participate in MLB's midsummer classic since 2012. That year he was voted in as a starter, and eventually he finished as runner-up to Buster Posey for NL MVP after hitting .319 with 41 homers and 112 RBI.

Braun was suspended for the final 65 games of the 2013 season for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal. Last year, he posted career lows with a .266 average, 19 homers and 81 RBI while dealing with a nerve issue in his right thumb.

"I don't think about things in those terms," Braun said of making it back to the All-Star Game after being suspended.

"I recognize how difficult it is to have an opportunity...so the fact that I get to go is definitely something that's special.

"I just found out a little while ago, so I haven't really had too much time to reflect on it yet."

Braun has had two cryotherapy injections in his thumb since last season, and he's bounced back nicely to hit .275 with 16 homers and 56 RBI while also stealing 15 bases in 84 games this season.

He's also one of five players in the majors to have at least 15 homers and 10 stolen bases.

"It's been a little challenging just getting back to a consistent place mechanically," Braun said. "Obviously I've deal with a lot with the thumb over the last year and a half, just trying to get my swing and bat path back to where I expect them to be.

"But over the past couple months I feel like I've been a lot better, a lot more consistent. Certainly a lot of room for growth, a lot of room for improvement, and I expect to be better moving forward. But overall, the last couple months have been pretty good."

Added Counsell: "I think he's been really good for a while now. It's not the same every day, but he's a force in the middle of the lineup."

Braun joins closer Francisco Rodriguez on the NL team, giving the Brewers multiple all-stars for the third consecutive season.

In four career All-Star Games — Braun didn't play in 2011 in Arizona due to injury — Braun has hit .200 (2 for 10) with a double, triple, RBI and run scored.
Braun's six All-Star Game nods rank him first in franchise history. Paul Molitor and Cecil Cooper each earned five during their time in Milwaukee.

"I think as you get older you have greater perspective on just how difficult it is to make one all-star team, let alone multiple all-star teams," he said. "You look around the league now and it's really dominated by young players.

"Looking back, first All-Star Game was 2008. To be going back to another All-Star Game in 2015 is certainly something I cherish."


(jsonline.com)

Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun went 1 for 4 in Sunday's win over Cincinnati.

Braun scored once and hit his 15th double of the year. The double extended his hitting streak to 10 consecutive games. He's hitting .439 over the streak.



(cbssports.com)

Cincinnati – The math is still daunting. No question about that. But when you’re playing better baseball, it allows you to dream a little.

The Brewers a wild card contender? With a 34-48 record and 10 games out of the race for the second wild card in the National League, it stretches the imagination.
But, the way Ryan Braun sees it, why not stretch your imagination?

“We legitimately feel we’re in a place where the thought process is to shock the world,” said Braun. “Why not? We’ve got three months left. Why not? We can go undefeated in July. Why not? We feel good about it.”

No, Braun has not become delusional. In a way, he was having fun with the concept of wild-card contention. But in a week when the Brewers had won every game entering Saturday and the offense resembled the ’27 Yankees, why not let your optimism take a leap?

Yes, it would take a 14-game winning streak just to get back to .500 but that’s if you needed to do it this month. Braun would like to see the Brewers continue to peck away at the deficit they built with a horrendous start and see what happens.

“The last week has been fun,” said Braun, who was batting .462 during the road trip. “I think it’s the first time we’ve really enjoyed baseball all year. You get back to the point where you really look forward to coming to the ballpark.

“We show up every day, everybody feels good about where we’re at. We feel like we’re going to give ourselves an opportunity to win. It makes the season a lot more enjoyable.

“The encouraging thing about it is there are a lot of guys up and down the lineup really swinging the bats well. Our bullpen has been dominant all year. And you see a lot of starters trending in the right direction. So, if somehow there’s a regression to the mean and everybody ends up somewhere near the realm of what their career numbers are, then there’s a lot of good baseball to be played by us.”

But, what about the fact that the Brewers not only were 10 games out of the second wild card but ninth in line, ahead of only woeful Philadelphia?

“The second wild card gives everybody a little bit of hope,” said Braun. “Sometimes, I think it’s false hope. There’s a decent amount of teams between us and that spot but we feel good about ourselves. We really do.

“It’s not nice to just show up every day and feel we’re the team we expected to be at the beginning of the year. It’s a good thing we’re even having this conversation because a week ago this conversation is not something anyone could have.”


(jsonline.com)

Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun went 3 for 5 at the plate during Monday's 7-4 win over the Phillies.

Braun drove in his only run of the game when he hit a double in the fifth inning which scored Gerardo Parra.

Prior to his three-hit game Monday, Braun was hitting .244 with two home runs and eight RBI in his last 12 games.


(cbssports.com)

If Ryan Braun is going to start for the National League All-Star team, he's going to need a lot of help from the Brewers fans.

Bryce Harper, Matt Holliday and Giancarlo Stanton are currently the top three vote-getters in the NL outfield – although Holliday is on the disabled list and wouldn't be able to start – while Braun comes in at 13th.

Fans can vote for the starters until Thursday, July 2, at 10:59 p.m. CT. While fans choose the starters, the National League coaching staff, led by Giants manger Bruce Bochy, will select the rest of the players.


(foxsports.com)

Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun went 2 for 4in Sunday's loss to the Rockies.

Braun slammed a triple and a double while recording an RBI and a run in the loss.

The multi-hit performance was Braun's best in quite some time. In the eight games prior to Sunday, Braun had just two hits in 30 at-bats.



(cbssports.com)

Kansas City – Since undergoing another cryotherapy procedure on his troublesome right thumb on June 3, Ryan Braun has cooled considerably at the plate.

In 12 games, Braun is hitting just .233 with one homer, three RBI and an OPS of .678 compared to a month of May in which he hit .272 with 8 homers, 28 RBI and posted an OPS of .932.

Asked how his thumb has been feeling since the latest procedure, Braun was fairly tight-lipped.

“Overall it feels pretty good,” he said. “I’m happy with where it’s at.”

Braun had the first procedure done on his thumb last October, just days after the season ended. Braun entered some uncharted territory by having it done in-season this time, and he sat out two games immediately after as a result.

Braun homered in his first at-bat back in Minnesota, but had just three extra-base hits in the 11 games since entering Thursday.

“The difference obviously was in October we weren’t playing baseball at all,” he said. “When you’re still playing and still dealing with it, it’s a much different set of circumstances than October.

“But overall it feels really good.”

Counsell said Braun’s recent dropoff at the plate looks more to him like a player going through the typical ups and downs than someone struggling to play through injury.

“This is a baseball season thing,” he said. “You have good stretches and you have bad stretches. I think he’s going through a little rough patch. I’m fully expecting a big game any day, really. Every hitter’s going to go through these. We went through this thing with Adam Lind and then all of a sudden he had a great week or whatever.

“So it’s similar to that for me.”

Braun, too, maintained he’s just fighting through a tough stretch.

“Just the way the season goes,” he said. “It’s a tough game. It’s been a really challenging season for us. A daily fight to try to stay positive, to stay optimistic because it’s been a pretty miserable experience for us to this point.

“It’s really been pretty terrible overall.”


(jsonline.com)

Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun left Wednesday's game early with a bout of dizziness, but doesn't believe it's anything to worry about.

"It could be from allergies or something. I'm not sure what the cause is," Braun told Brewers.com. "I thought it was from being dehydrated and I kept drinking water. It wasn't getting better. It was kind of weird. But I'm fine."



(foxsports.com)

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun wasn’t available on Wednesday.  He was in Anaheim, California having a cryotherapy procedure performed on his right thumb.

It’s the second such procedure for Braun.  The first was performed Oct. 2.  Manager Craig Counsell said the decision to send Braun for a second treatment was planned.

Braun is hitting .258 with 12 home runs and 38 rbi.  He was named the National League Player of the Month for May.

The Brewers are hoping to have Braun for part of their upcoming weekend series against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

As for the effectiveness of the latest treatment, head trainer Dan Wright told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the procedure has a three-to-four month window of effectiveness.  Braun may need the procedure to be repeated over the course of the rest of his career, and that can by safely done provided it remains effective.


(wrn.com)

After a strong week at the plate, Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun was named co-National League Player of the Week alongside the Pirates' Andrew McCutchen.

"He's swung the bat incredibly well," Brewers manager Craig Counsell told Brewers.com. "He's talked about seeing the ball longer, seeing the ball better, letting the ball get deeper. The big thing it's resulted in for me is there's less chase out of the zone. With his swing, when he's in the strike zone, he's going to produce with that swing."

Braun had three home runs and 11 RBIs last week.

This was the fourth time Braun has won the award in his career and if the Brewers are going to get back into the race for the National League Central, Braun – or his teammates – may need to win a couple more of these this season.


(foxsports.com)

Brewers designated hitter Ryan Braun went 1 for 2 at the plate in Milwaukee's 5-2 loss to the Tigers on Wednesday.

Braun did his damage in the fourth inning when he blasted a solo shot off of Shane Greene, his 10th of the season and second straight day with a home run. Braun, who also walked twice, is now hitting .263 with 28 RBI in 137 at-bats this season.


(cbssports.com)

Ryan Braun was used as a pinch-hitter Wednesday against the Rockies and had an infield single.

Braun certainly didn't seem to be protecting his oblique while taking his first couple of cuts. The hit, though, came on a dribbler down the third-base line. He stayed in the game to run afterwards, but since he was hitting in the pitcher's spot, he didn't remain in for the 10th. We're confidently guessing Braun will be in Friday's lineup after Thursday's off day.


(rotoworld.com)

Ryan Braun didn’t have an issue with his right thumb during spring training, but now he has a new injury to deal with.

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports that Braun exited Monday’s season opener against the Rockies with a ribcage strain. He went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before leaving the game. He’s scheduled to be reevaluated tomorrow, but this is something that could put him down for a little while. Gerardo Parra should get most of the playing time in right field for now.

Braun, 31, struggled though a thumb injury last season while hitting .266/.324/.453 with 19 home runs and 81 RBI over 135 games.


(hardballtalk.com)

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke reiterated that outfielder Ryan Braun's thumb is no longer a concern. He told reporters that all systems are go with Braun heading into the start of the season, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Braun is hitting .323 with two homers and six RBI this spring.


(cbssports.com)

PHOENIX (AP) — Ryan Braun extended his torrid stretch with two more hits and two RBIs for the Milwaukee Brewers in a 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians on Saturday.

After an 0-for-12 start this spring, Braun has 10 hits in his last 19 at-bats (.526) and is hitting .323 in Cactus League play. He had both hits against Cleveland starter Zach McAllister, who struck out nine in five innings.

"Their guy was throwing really hard and (Braun) squares it up and the ball was really taking off," Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said. "He looks good. We need to keep him where he is now and hopefully he can maintain that."

Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis, who recently missed seven games with back spasms, hit a two-run homer in the second inning. Cleveland scored the go-ahead run on a force play in the eighth.

The Brewers had scored 91 runs in the last 11 games, hitting .353 as a team. But Braun provided all the offense Saturday with an RBI double in the first and a run-scoring single in the fifth.

McAllister made a strong bid for a rotation spot, striking out five consecutive hitters in the second and third innings, and two more in the fifth. He allowed six hits.

"He had real good velocity and he held it through his last inning," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. "He also threw some good off-speed pitches. That was impressive but he's been good all spring.

McAllister was matched by Milwaukee starter Wily Peralta, who continued an impressive spring with six innings of two-run, six-hit ball.


(utsandiego.com)

Ryan Braun finished 3-for-4 with an RBI double in Wednesday's Cactus League game versus the Athletics.

Braun is now on a five-game spring hitting streak. Wednesday's performance helped lift his average to .280 (7-for-25). Two of those seven hits are solo homers. Braun had battled a thumb injury over the last two seasons but it appears to be a non-issue now.


(rotoworld.com)

Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun is starting to get into the swing of things, literally. Braun has hit home runs in two consecutive games and displaying power to the opposite field, a sign his right thumb is getting healthier, reports MLB.com.

"It's showing that he's able to pull his hands inside and still attack the ball," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "I think it's real good to see that."


(cbssports.com)

Ryan Braun has stumbled out of the gate so far this spring. He has failed to record a hit through 12 plate appearances and has struck out five times. He has also walked three times.

Fantasy Impact: While not recording a hit thus far this spring isn't necessarily a big deal for Braun, he is coming off a career-low .266 batting average in 2014. Braun's numbers were down all across the board last year and he may be showing signs of regression. He should still be drafted as an elite outfielder but don't be caught off guard by a continued slump.

(fantasysports.com)

Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun is expected to play in consecutive games this weekend for the first time since having surgery on his right thumb, reports MLB.com.
"I would prefer him going out there getting hits, but the swings are better lately," manager Ron Roenicke said. "Early, I didn't like the swings too much. The [batting practice] has been real good. I think that's going to carry over and we'll start seeing it in some games."

Roenicke is continuing to be patient with Braun as he brings him along this spring.

"Everything is good," Roenicke said. "You can tell the way I've been playing him. We're going pretty slow with him. He's always been a guy who hasn't needed a lot of at-bats in Spring Training, and I think with where we are with everything, there's no reason to force him into playing a ton.


(cbssports.com)

Ryan Braun went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-3 victory versus the Brewers.

He walked and scored in the Brewers' three-run third inning. Braun again went without a hit, running him up to 0-for-7 in four spring contests. If Braun is still struggling towards the end of March, some concern may be warranted, but seven at-bats is a pittance of a sample size.


(rotoworld.com)

Ryan Braun remained hitless for the spring, going 0-for-2 in Monday's 5-4 loss to the Royals.

Braun is now 0-for-5 to start the spring. It's nothing to worry about at this point in the spring. The veteran outfielder is reportedly 100 percent recovered from the thumb issue that bothered him throughout the 2014 season. He finished with a .266/.324/.453 slash line along with 19 home runs and 81 RBI.


(rotoworld.com)

PHOENIX -- Ryan Braun arrived in Milwaukee Brewers camp this spring feeling a little uncertain. That's a major step forward from last spring, when he showed up feeling awfully besieged.

Last February, Braun had barely unpacked his stuff when he did a mass interview in conjunction with his return from a 65-game PED suspension. Then he turned his attention to a position switch from left field to right field and some early concerns over a lingering thumb injury.

Braun is in a more serene state this spring. His wife, Larisa, gave birth to their first child, daughter Celine Elysse, in September. He's better acquainted with the nuances of right. And while he will never fully escape the Biogenesis cloud, he's in a lot better place than Alex Rodriguez is right now.

That leaves the thumb injury. A few days after the regular season, Braun underwent a cryotherapy procedure, which involved inserting a needle into the base of his right thumb to freeze a damaged nerve.

PED skeptics are going to think what they want to think, but Braun's thumb injury appears to have played a significant role in his power drop-off in 2014. He hit only 19 homers in 530 at-bats, while slugging a career-low .453. He slugged .597 on his way to winning the NL Most Valuable Player award in 2011 and .595 while finishing second to San Francisco's Buster Posey in the 2012 MVP balloting.

"As a hitter, the two things you really need to be successful are your eyes and your hands," Braun said on a rainy Monday at Maryvale Baseball Stadium. "Whenever you have an issue with either of those two things, it makes an already very challenging game that much more challenging.

"The big challenge is, I couldn't really use my top hand. As soon as I made contact my top hand was irrelevant, so I was trying to stay inside a lot of balls and take an inside-out swing and kind of filet it to right field."

After finishing sixth in the NL with 650 runs scored in 2014, the Brewers are dealing with some minor issues and changes this spring. Catcher and 2014 MVP candidate Jonathan Lucroy will miss much of spring training with a hamstring injury -- although the Brewers hope he'll be ready by Opening Day. New first baseman Adam Lind is transitioning to the NL after playing nine seasons in Toronto, and third baseman Aramis Ramirez is another year older and closer to retirement at age 36. A healthy, productive Braun would take a big weight off everybody's mind.

"He's in a better place, coming in with more certainty," said manager Ron Roenicke. "We'll see what happens with the thumb when he gets out there every day, taking a beating and getting jammed sometimes. Hopefully that won't be an issue and he'll get back to being the player we're used to having."

Braun expects to have a more definitive feel for how successful his offseason surgery was by the end of spring training. For the moment, he describes himself as both "very encouraged" and "cautiously optimistic." His eight seasons in the majors have taught him that a baseball season can take some very unexpected twists and turns.


(espn.com)

Phoenix - A handful of hours after Ryan Braun stated he would have no extra comment on a report linking him to a clinic alleged to have sold overall performance-enhancing drugs to baseball players, a new report surfaced Friday with the Milwaukee Brewers star leftfielder's name on further documents.

The new list from the Biogenesis clinic, reported by ESPN's "Outside the Lines," had Braun's name with the figure "1500" next to it. There had been no overall performance-enhancing drugs affixed to his name, but ESPN cited a source that said players on the list received performance-enhancing drugs from Tony Bosch, who operated the now-shuttered clinic in Coral Gables, Fla.

ESPN displayed the list that it stated was hand-written by Bosch last April. The other names on the list had been Alex Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera and Francisco Cervelli, all previously named on documents published by the Miami New Times and/or Yahoo Sports.

The ESPN report stated the list was not "definitive proof" that Braun received or used PEDs. But it said a source indicated players on the list received PEDs and that there was "no other purpose to be on that paper."

Earlier in the day, Braun reported to the Brewers camp and met briefly with reporters. He stood by his earlier statement that his name was in the clinic's logs since his attorneys applied Bosch as a consultant in preparing their appeal of Braun's constructive drug test from October 2011 for elevated testosterone levels. That test outcome was overturned on appeal, allowing Braun to stay away from a 50-game suspension, with the announcement coming just just after spring education opened final year.

Arbitrator Shyam Das, who ruled in favor of Braun primarily due to irregularities in shipping his urine sample, later was fired by Major League Baseball in protest of his selection.

Braun said he would have no further comment on the Yahoo report and once again maintained he had nothing at all to hide and would completely cooperate with MLB's investigation into the clinic. Braun did not work out Friday, and the Brewers' session ended just before the ESPN report surfaced.

Braun's representatives did not respond to a request by the Journal Sentinel for a comment. MLB spokesman Pat Courtney stated there would be no statement from the commissioner's workplace until the investigation was comprehensive. As for the Brewers, club spokesman Tyler Barnes mentioned, "Nothing has changed with our position. We nonetheless refer any requests for information and facts or comment to Important League Baseball."

The document displayed by ESPN with Braun and the 3 other players had plus indicators next to their names. There have been circles around the plus indicators subsequent to the names of Rodriguez and Cervelli, reportedly to show the amounts had been paid. The quantity "4500" was next to Rodriguez's name and "2500" was subsequent to Cervelli, but no number was affixed to Cabrera, who was suspended final season by MLB for testing good for elevated testosterone.

The "1500" number subsequent to Braun's name was significantly lower than the "20,000 K to 30,000 K" notation subsequent to his name in the document published by Yahoo Sports. Braun attributed that figure to "moneys owed" to Bosch to serve as a consultant and a subsequent dispute more than the charge.

ESPN reported that Braun's name seems on another list of players like dollar amounts and dates but is merely talked about at the bottom of the web page below a line with "Expenses" written on it.

Lawyer Martin Singer responded to ESPN with this statement: "My client confirmed last week that there was an alleged claim for revenue owed to Mr. Bosch because he had been applied as a consultant by my client's attorneys in his productive appeal with MLB final year. Various witnesses can corroborate how Mr. Bosch requested over thousands of dollars for his consulting with my client's attorneys final year. My client has no partnership with Tony Bosch, and the only connection Mr. Bosch had was with my client's attorneys as a consultant. It is clear that this is all false."

In the course of his session with reporters earlier in the day, Braun declined to take questions about the Yahoo report, saying, "I'm excited to be back out right here for spring instruction surely looking forward to the World Baseball Classic.

"I have an understanding of why a lot of you guys are likely here, but I made a statement last week (about working with Bosch as a consultant). I stand behind that statement. I'm not going to address that challenge any additional. As I stated, I am happy to cooperate completely with any investigation into this matter.

"I respect the reality that all of you guys have a job to do. Component of that job incorporates asking me queries. I'm happy to answer any and all queries about baseball, spring instruction, the Planet Baseball Classic or something else."

Braun was asked about the support of manager Ron Roenicke, who told reporters two days ago that he did not think the Yahoo report ought to have targeted Braun without having evidence as to why his name was in the clinic's logs.

"Absolutely, I appreciate everybody's assistance," said Braun. "In life, when you deal with challenges, you see who supports you and who has your back. He certainly has been exceptionally supportive and for that I am really thankful."

Braun was asked about following his tumultuous winter of 2011-'12 with a different big season despite becoming below scrutiny and presumably with increased drug testing. He batted .319 with 41 household runs, 112 runs batted in, 108 runs scored, 356 total bases, 30 steals and a .987 OPS.

"In baseball, you deal with adversity in life you deal with adversity," he said. "I've constantly said via adversity you identify someone's character. It is definitely easy to do effectively when things are going properly. When you deal with adversity, that's when you see what you happen to be created of. You see what your character is.
"Certainly, final year I dealt with some added challenges and adversity. So, it was rewarding for positive."

Braun did answer 1 stick to-up question about PEDs. He was asked about MLB expanding its testing for human growth hormone to contain the frequent season immediately after previously undertaking so only once for the duration of spring education.

"I've often been supportive of the method," said Braun. "I've normally been supportive of additional drug testing or what ever testing they have that's obtainable."
Prior to the ESPN report came out, Roenicke stated he didn't anticipate the latest PED controversy to affect Braun in the slightest.

"As a great deal as he went via it last year, he's most likely applied to it," stated Roenicke.

As for Braun getting beneath investigation by MLB for possessing his name linked with the Biogenesis clinic, Roenicke mentioned, "I don't genuinely know what to feel about it. All of the information I get is from what I read from you guys. That is all I seriously know."

Roenicke noted that Braun has a particular knack for eliminating attainable distractions.

"I knew how negative final year was for him as far as his off-season. I am certain it was on his mind each and every day," said Roenicke. "I know what happened right after the choice when we went to distinct ball parks. I think the issue that was impressive was the way he played last year. He had the similar year, was second in MVP. Could have been MVP.

"I think it says a lot about his character, for 1. I assume he can overcome some factors that mentally some other guys are not in a position to do. Everybody's character is a small different. I feel everybody handles factors a tiny distinct.

"The guys with the makeup that can put things aside are a specific breed. They are going to perform greater for the reason that they can do that."
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.


(thebeaconreview.com)

PHOENIX -- Ryan Braun can't pinpoint the exact date, but he can remember with some clarity when his right thumb began bothering him.

"It was a changeup against Joe Kelly in St. Louis," Braun said Wednesday as he reported to spring training with the rest of Milwaukee's position players. "I think it was an extra-inning game at some point in 2013."

"It's been a while since I've felt as good as I do now," he said.

A little research can pinpoint the moment exactly: It was May 18, 2013. Braun led off the 10th inning with a single against Kelly in what would ultimately be a 6-4 victory for the Brewers.

The numbers back up Braun's memory.

That single improved his career batting average to .314. In 920 games to that point, he'd hit 210 home runs with 671 RBIs.

Since then, though, Braun has batted just .264 with 20 home runs and 91 RBIs in 159 games -- he missed the last 65 of that 2013 season because of a suspension for his role in the Biogenesis drug investigation.

The 2011 NL MVP last year posted a career-low .266 batting average with 19 home runs and 81 RBIs. In September, he hit .210 with a home run and five RBIs over the final 23 games.

In the days after the season ended, Braun underwent a procedure to freeze the balky nerve that was causing problems.

Since then, Braun says he's felt good. Really good. And with the 2015 season a few weeks away, he's hoping to finally turn the page on the most difficult stretch of his eight-year career.

"It's an important year for him," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "That's why it's nice to see him coming healthy and hopefully, we can keep him that way. When he's healthy, we know what he is capable of doing."

So far, Braun says there are no signs of trouble. He began swinging a bat a little earlier than usual during the offseason but reported to camp feeling fine and fully expecting a normal workload.

"I've been able to do everything I would typically do over the course of an offseason, which is encouraging," he said. "Hopefully I'll be healthy. But aside from that, I don't think I'll be limited or anything. I'll have to be conscious about how many extra swings I take and stuff like that, but aside from that I should be able to do everything."

More than anyone else, Braun's health will go a long way in determining the Brewers' fortunes. It's no coincidence that his September swoon coincided with a late-season collapse that left Milwaukee home for the playoffs despite leading the NL Central for 150 days.

"I think we've addressed that enough," he said. "Obviously, it was difficult, but it was last year."

"When you show up this year, you know you can't do anything about last year. None of us can change what happened. We wish things would have ended differently than they did but they didn't," he said. "Hopefully, the focus is on this year and doing everything we can to prepare the best that we can every day to be successful and to get off to a good start in April."


(espn.com)

Aside from limiting him to extra hitting early on, there are no extra limitations on Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun's thumb heading into camp, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Braun, 31, underwent a thumb procedure last October, and said in January that his thumb feels "significantly better" than at this time last year. He slashed .266/.324/.453 with 19 homers and 81 RBI in 135 games in 2014 while dealing with the injury.


(cbssports.com)

MILWAUKEE -- Ryan Braun's annual appearance at Brewers On Deck carried a much different vibe this year than it did a year ago.

National television cameras weren't following his every move, while the media horde wanting to interview him was significantly smaller than the mob scene that waited in 2014 for his first public comments since his suspension for use of performance-enhancing drugs.

However, the questions as to if Braun can return to MVP form still remain. Now they just revolve around his repaired right thumb.

"Knock on wood I feel great, it feels really good," Braun said. "Everything's going well, regular offseason, regular routine. I started hitting a little bit earlier than I typically do, just to kind of see how it felt.

"I don't feel anything at all. It feels great, so I'm able to do everything that I would typically do. No restrictions, doesn't prevent me from doing anything. I didn't have to alter any type of workout routine or my hitting or anything I do in the offseason."

Braun also knows the true test still lies ahead. The next step is seeing how the thumb holds up when he hits consistently off live pitching in spring training. Then come the rigors of the regular season, especially during early season games in which the temperature might be under 50 degrees.

After being plagued by a nerve issue at the base of the thumb for most of 2014, Braun underwent a cryotherapy procedure on Oct. 2 in Los Angeles. A needle was inserted at the base of his right thumb to freeze the troublesome nerve.

"I know it's significantly better than it was at this time last year, which I'm encouraged by," Braun said. "I think the real test will come in spring training once we've played games for a couple weeks and just every day, that wear and tear, see how it recovers, see how it responds. But I do know it's significantly better now than where it was last year, so that's exciting."

Unable to properly grip or swing the bat for most of 2014, Braun hit .266 with 19 home runs and 81 RBI in 2014, all of which were career lows outside of the season in which he was suspended for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Braun was batting .301 on July 26, but he hit just .209 with five home runs and 20 RBI in his last 53 games. He later admitted the painful nature of the nerve issue in his thumb forced him to swing "one-handed" for the majority of the season.

Would the Brewers have lost 22 of their final 31 games -- mostly due to an invisible offense -- if Braun had been healthy? All they can do is wonder, 'what if?' at this point.

"It's tough," Braun said. "It's tough for me, it's tough for us as a team, you don't get those opportunities too often, and as we've all seen, if you get to the postseason, anybody can win it. The challenge is just getting in, and I've now played long enough to know you don't get an opportunity to play those meaningful games in September every year, and when you do get those chances you have to take advantage of it."

Many questions surround the Brewers heading into spring training, but none are bigger than the health of Braun's thumb. If healthy, the 31-year-old is capable of masking other potential offensive problems.

"It's certainly big," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "I know he's said that if he was healthy, things might have been different last year and maybe they would have. Having he and Aramis (Ramirez) both healthy and swinging it well certainly would have made a difference."

Braun carried averages of .314, 34 home runs and 107 RBI over the first six years of his career, which includes his MVP season of 2011 when he hit .332 with 33 home runs and 111 RBI.

Over the last two seasons, Braun has played in just 196 games with a .275 batting average, a total of 28 home runs and 119 RBI.

"It's different when you don't have Ryan on the team or he's not 100 percent because he's in the middle of the lineup and he's the best hitter we have in the lineup," Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez said. "Without him, I don't think we're going to make the playoffs."

Added catcher Jonathan Lucroy on the impact of a healthy Braun: "We'll be a deadly lineup with everybody in there. I'm really excited about that; I'm optimistic that we'll score a lot of runs."

Braun is hoping to avoid another cyrotherapy procedure, but it remains an option --possibly even during the season -- if the thumb were to act up again. Currently, the right fielder doesn't plan on altering his spring training workload in any way.

"We'll figure it out as we go," Braun said. "I think that was something I tried to do a lot of last year. So we'll kind of see how it feels, see how it responds, see what the recovery is like. There are still plenty of unknowns, but right now, I don't really anticipate being limited at all."

If healthy, Braun remains confident he can still be the dominant offensive player the Brewers need in the middle of their lineup in order to compete in what is shaping up to be a tough National League Central.

Considering Braun is owed $103 million over the next six seasons, the Brewers have a lot riding on a return to form.

"The goal is to be the best player I can be," Braun said. "I've always said, as long as I'm healthy I think success is inevitable. Last year was not a good year. So hopefully, I'm able to stay healthy this year and get back to doing the things that I'm used to doing."


(foxsports.com)

It remained a case of so far, so good Sunday with Ryan Braun's right thumb.

The Brewers' right-fielder was plagued throughout the 2014 season by a nerve issue at the base of his thumb, robbing him of his power and other offensive skills. Afterward, he underwent a somewhat experimental cryotherapy procedure on the thumb that so far has produced encouraging results.

"Knock on wood, I feel great; it feels really good," Braun said during a media session at Brewers On Deck at the Wisconsin Center.

"Everything is going well. Regular offseason, regular routine. I started hitting a little bit earlier than I typically do, just to see how it felt. So far, so good. It feels really good.

"I do everything I regularly do. I don't hit off live pitching but I take regular batting practice like we would during the season, and it feels good. I don't feel anything at all."

Asked if the test is still to come when he starts hitting more regularly in spring training, Braun said, "I know it's significantly better than where it was this time last year, which I'm encouraged by. But as I told you guys the last time I saw everybody (at Thanksgiving) the real test will come in spring training, once we've played games for a couple of weeks and that every-day wear and tear. See how it recovers, see how it responds.

"I don't feel anything at all; it feels great. So, I'm able to do everything I would typically be able to do. No restrictions. It doesn't prevent me from doing anything. I didn't have to alter any kind of workout routine or my hitting or anything I do in the offseason. So far, it feels really good.

"I feel as good as I ever do this time of year, so I feel great. It's always a progression to getting to the point where you feel comfortable with your swing. That normally happens at some point during spring training. But right now it feels as good as I could possibly hope for."


(jsonline.com)

The most scrutinized right thumb in Milwaukee Brewers history was a bit frozen Wednesday morning but otherwise feeling much better.

Ryan Braun was all smiles when talking about the progress made since having a medical procedure on the troublesome thumb, which was good news for him, the team and concerned citizens of Brewer Nation.

"It feels great," said Braun, who braved freezing temperatures to participate in the Brewers' annual Thanksgiving food drive with the Hunger Task Force outside Miller Park.

"I'm encouraged by how it feels, but at the same time I have to be kind of cautiously optimistic," he said. "When I get into spring training and start playing every day, I'll see how it responds. But it hasn't felt this good in a really long time."

Braun, whose ability to swing a bat was greatly compromised by a nerve issue in the thumb since early in the 2013 season, underwent a somewhat experimental cryotherapy procedure on Oct. 2 during which sub-zero temperatures were introduced into the damaged nerve via needle. He experienced enough relief to begin swinging a bat shortly afterward, with encouraging results.

"I've been able to do everything full-go," Braun said while taking a break from collecting food to speak with reporters. "I'm not limited in any way. I'm not hitting or anything at this point. I hit a lot right after I had the procedure done. I'll do my typical routine when I get back into baseball-specific activities in late December."

As for how the thumb felt when he did test it, Braun said, "Amazing. It felt really good.

"Right now, I don't feel anything, and I haven't been able to say that for two years. It would hurt shaking hands, writing, just doing regular, everyday activities. And I don't feel it at all.

"There was some residual soreness after the procedure for a couple of weeks. But, overall, it has felt really good. Basically, there was an immediate difference. So definitely a good thing, exciting."

A lot is riding on the thumb procedure standing the test of time, for both Braun and the Brewers. Unable to properly grip the bat and keep his top hand on the handle during his swing, Braun suffered through a subpar 2014 season in which he batted .266 with 19 home runs, 81 runs batted in and a .777 OPS.

The thumb condition worsened as the season progressed. Braun, 31, batted .226 after the all-star break with eight homers and 29 RBI. Over the final month, when the Brewers collapsed from first place and fell out of the playoff race amid a team-wide offensive slump, he hit .210 with one homer and five RBI.

"I said last year a few times, I really believe if I was anywhere near healthy, the season ends up differently," said Braun, whose five-year, $105 million contract extension kicks in after the 2015 season. "Hopefully, this thing continues to feel good like it does right now and I can get back to being one of the best players in the league."

The Brewers' offensive collapse cost hitting coach Johnny Narron his job, but manager Ron Roenicke survived and will be back at the helm next season, which Braun said is a good thing.

"Ron has been great," said Braun. "All of us have enjoyed having him as our manager. He's a great leader, a great communicator. I don't think that our failure had anything to do with his managing. It had to do with our playing.

"A lot of times managers end up being the scapegoat. But it certainly wasn't his fault that we didn't finish on a good note. So I'm definitely happy to have him back."

Should the cryotherapy treatment wear off when Braun ramps up his off-season workouts, he has the option of having another such procedure as sort of a booster shot.

"I don't think there's enough information out there on the procedure to have any specific knowledge of how it's going to respond or how long it will work, or anything like that," Braun said. "So we're sort of figuring it out as we go."

Asked if he wishes now he had tried the procedure during the season instead of waiting, Braun said: "Hindsight is always 20-20. It's easy to say that now. There was a time when I definitely wanted to do it, but I understood why we decided not to.

"I'm not concerned. I'm excited. But at the same time, I went into last year and I felt really good going into spring training. The first four or five weeks it felt great and I played great, and kind of reinjured it. But we just rested it. We didn't do a procedure on it."

Other than adding first baseman Adam Lind in a trade with Toronto, the Brewers have been relatively quiet on the personnel front this off-season. Braun said that doesn't mean the team is done making moves.

"It's early in the off-season," said Braun, who has been enjoying time at home with newborn daughter Celine. "Sometimes it takes time for any big moves to happen or occur.

"But I think getting Adam Lind is huge for us. Adding a left-handed bat to the middle of our lineup should be something that should really benefit us. It's probably been one of our bigger issues over the last couple of seasons.

"We've been predominantly a right-handed hitting lineup. And our division has really good right-handed pitchers. So adding a lefty to the middle of our lineup is huge for us."


(jsonline.com)

In a Miami Herald report detailing the confession of Alex Rodriguez to DEA agents investigating the Biogenesis clinic that he used PEDs obtained there comes the news that the Brewers' Ryan Braun was one of the players given immunity from prosecution.

The report says Braun and eight other players were given immunity by federal prosecutors for their testimony in the Biogenesis investigation in which charges were filed againt clinic operator Tony Bosch and an associate. The other players given immunity were Rodriguez, Nelson Cruz, Melky Cabrera, Francisco Cervelli, Yasmani Grandal, Cesar Puello, Jordany Valdespin and Manny Rodriguez.

MLB suspended 14 players for their involvement in buying PEDs from the Biogenesis clinic. Rodriguez had an original 211-game suspension reduced to 162 games by an arbitrator. Braun received the second-longest suspension, sitting out the final 65 games of the 2013 season.

Braun tested positive for synthetic testosterone in October 2011 but avoided a 50-game suspension on appeal and denied using PEDs for a year and a half before being caught in the Biogenesis investigation and subsequently suspended by MLB.

The report says Miami criminal defense attorney Frank Quintero, who is representing an associate of Bosch accused of conspiring to distribute steroids to high school athletes, said the government's deal with Rodriguez was "a farce" and that none of the players should have been granted immunity.

“From the evidence that we’ve seen, there is no question that Rodriguez and some of the other major league ballplayers should never have received immunity and, in fact, should have been prosecuted because they committed crimes,” Quintero said.

“The immunity given to Rodriguez and these other ballplayers is an attempt by the Justice Department to cover up their alleged crimes,” he added. “MLB committed the same alleged crimes that these ballplayers did by bribing witnesses, interfering with the state and federal investigations and obstructing justice, all of which was recently reported in New Times.”


(jsonline.com)

Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that the Brewers are optimistic about Ryan Braun‘s progress following his thumb procedure

“He has taken some batting practice off a pitcher,” said general manager Doug Melvin. “It’s not like he’s playing every day. You’re not going to get a good feel and judgment on it until then, when you’re playing every day, seven days a week, taking BP and all that. That’s the true test.

“But, right now, it sounds like everything is great. He’s just going to let it go through the normal healing process.”

It was a rough season for Braun, who battled through and inflamed nerve at the base of his right thumb, which impacted his ability to swing a bat. He finished with a career-low .777 OPS, doing worse than that in the second half.


(hardballtalk.com)

The Milwaukee Brewers won't know for sure until Ryan Braun starts playing on at least a semiregular basis in spring training, but all parties are optimistic about the procedure he underwent after the 2014 season to treat a nagging thumb injury.

"He has taken some batting practice off a pitcher," said general manager Doug Melvin. "It's not like he's playing every day. You're not going to get a good feel and judgment on it until then, when you're playing every day, seven days a week, taking BP and all that. That's the true test.

"But, right now, it sounds like everything is great. He's just going to let it go through the normal healing process."

Braun had trouble gripping a bat dating to early 2013 because of an inflamed nerve at the base of his right thumb. The week after the 2014 regular season, he underwent a cryotherapy at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles during which subzero temperatures were introduced into the damaged nerve.

A few days later, Braun swung a bat with encouraging results. He has taken limited batting practice since without feeling the discomfort that led to a significant drop in offensive production.

Braun, who turns 31 in two weeks, dealt with the problem in the first half of the season and batted .298 with 11 home runs and 52 runs batted in over 73 games. The issue grew worse in the second half and he slipped to .226 with eight homers and 29 RBI in 62 games after the all-star break.

When the free-falling Brewers needed him most in September, Braun hit .210 with one homer, five RBI and a .603 OPS. Overall, he batted .266 with a .324 on-base average and 19 home runs, all significantly below his career averages for a full season. His 81 RBI led the club.

Braun was a far cry from the offensive superstar who averaged 34 home runs and 107 RBI while batting .313 over a six-year period from 2007-'12.

Because Braun was unable to control his bat path as in the past, he lost plate discipline and confidence, walking only 41 times with 113 strikeouts.

In an interview a few days before the season ended, Braun explained how the thumb issue affected his swing.

"When you can't use your top hand as a baseball player, it drastically alters everything that you do," Braun said. "I've tried to adjust; I've tried to find a way to deal with it the best I could.

"At times I've been OK. But for the most part it's been really difficult, really challenging and very frustrating."

The Brewers have a huge financial stake in Braun being able to return to his previous form as a hitter. After next season, during which he has a $12 million salary, a five-year, $105 million extension kicks in that carries through 2020, with a mutual option for 2021 worth at least $15 million more.

That financial commitment is huge for the club even if Braun is productive. If he is not, it becomes an albatross that would make it more difficult for the Brewers to compete.

The Brewers and Braun considered other possible fixes for the thumb before settling on cryotherapy, a procedure with no real track record for helping with that type of injury. Now, everyone is keeping their fingers crossed that it will prove to be effective over the long term.

"It seems to be better," said Melvin. "He'll wait until January to start swinging the bat more often."


(jsonline.com)

Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun took batting practice Sunday and felt "pretty good," MLB.com reports. It's Braun's first action since undergoing a cryotherapy procedure on his injured thumb.




(cbssports.com)

Ryan Braun should know soon if he is finally able to swing a bat properly again.

The Brewers’ rightfielder returned Monday for a follow-up visit with physician Vernon Williams, who performed a cryotherapy procedure on Braun’s ailing right thumb last Thursday at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles.

Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said Braun was given the go-ahead to swing a bat by Williams but didn't think he would try to hit until later in the week.

Braun and the Brewers hope the procedure, in which subzero temperatures were introduced via needle into a damaged nerve at the base of his right thumb, will allow him to move past an issue that has bothered him since early in the 2013 season. When Braun does swing a bat again, he expects to be able to gauge if his pain tolerance has improved to any significant extent.

Braun’s production decreased considerably after the thumb issue prevented him from gripping a bat properly with his top hand. Combined with the season-ending suspension he received for his PED involvement with the Biogenesis clinic, Braun was limited to 61 games of action last year, batting .298 with nine home runs and 38 RBI.

The thumb continued to be a problem in 2014 and worsened as the season progressed. After batting .298 with 11 home runs and 52 RBI over 73 games before the break, Braun slipped to .226 with eight homers and 29 RBI in 62 games in the second half. Over the final month, when the Brewers fell out of the playoff race in a horrible collapse, Braun batted .210 with one homer, five RBI and .603 OPS.

Braun finished with a .266 batting average, 19 home runs and 81 RBI. His .324 on-base percentage and .453 slugging percentage were far below his previous norms.


(jsonline.com)

Milwaukee Brewers rightfielder Ryan Braun had a cryotherapy procedure performed on his ailing right thumb Thursday morning with hopes of returning to the offensive star he was prior to last year.

Now, Braun and the Brewers will wait to see if it works.

The procedure, in which subzero temperatures were introduced into the damaged nerve at the base of the thumb with a needle, was performed by Dr. Vernon B. Williams at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles. Braun will meet again with Williams on Monday, and if there is no adverse reaction to the treatment, he will swing a bat to test his pain tolerance.

Braun's thumb began bothering him early in the 2013 season, and his production soon waned. Combined with the season-ending suspension he received for his PED involvement with the Biogenesis clinic, Braun was limited to 61 games of action in '13, batting .298 with nine home runs and 38 RBI.

With an extended period of five months of rest, the hope was that Braun's thumb would be much improved this year and he'd again be one of the top offensive forces in the league. But it was evident as early as spring training that the thumb had not healed, and as the season wore on, it only got worse.

Much like the Brewers' offense in general, Braun's productivity declined dramatically in the second half. After batting .298 with 11 home runs and 52 runs batted in over 73 games before the break, he slipped to .226, eight homers and 29 RBI in 62 games afterward.

When the sagging Brewers needed him most, Braun was particularly woeful in September, hitting .210 with one homer, five RBI and .603 OPS. He led the club with 81 RBI but that was more an indictment of other players than an accomplishment.

Braun finished with a .266 batting average and 19 home runs, career lows for a full season. His .324 on-base percentage and .453 slugging percentage also were far below his norm. Braun walked only 41 times and struck out 113 times.

It was a far cry from the offensive superstar who averaged 34 home runs and 107 RBI while batting .313 over a six-year period from 2007-'12.

Braun said the ailing thumb prevented him from gripping the bat properly, resulting in greatly diminished results.

"When you can't use your top hand as a baseball player, it drastically alters everything that you do," Braun said recently. "I've tried to adjust; I've tried to find a way to deal with it the best I could. At times, I've been OK. But, for the most part, it's been really difficult, really challenging and very frustrating."

Braun and the Brewers explored many possible remedies for the issue before settling on cryotherapy, a minimally invasive technique. There is no track record of this kind of procedure being performed on a baseball player's thumb, but at this stage and considering other less attractive options, Braun and the Brewers decided to give it a try.

"The doctor said it went well," Gord Ash said Thursday afternoon. "He'll have a follow-up with the doctor and we'll see how he responds."

The Brewers certainly have a vested interest in fixing Braun's thumb issue. In 2016, a five-year, $105 million contract extension kicks in, a huge investment made by the club on the basis that he would continue to be the offensive force he was when the deal was done in 2011.

Braun expressed hope and optimism beforehand that the procedure would do enough good to allow him to grip the bat properly again.

"I don't feel like I need to be at 100% to be one of the best players in the game, but I've got to be at 80-90%," he said. "I have to be able to use my top hand in my swing to feel like I can do the things I'm used to doing and capable of doing."


(jsonline.com)

Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun needs surgery to repair his nagging right thumb injury and he'll get it this coming week, the Brewers have announced. The rare procedure will involve freezing a nerve near his thumb.

The injury has been bothering Braun for much of the past two seasons, though it reportedly got worse later this season.

"If I was relatively healthy, if I was performing up to the standard I set for myself, then we'd be in a different place as a team. It makes it that much more difficult for me personally to accept the way the season went," Braun said (via Associated Press).

Braun's numbers noticably dipped as the season progressed. Through 43 games, he was hitting .318/.353/.565 with 11 doubles, nine homers and 30 RBI. The rest of his season (92 games), he hit .242/.311/.400 with 10 homers. In September, when the Brewers went 9-17, Braun hit .210/.319/.284 with just one home run.

Braun said the reason he didn't yet have the surgery is due to how rare the procedure is.

"The whole reason we hadn't done it sooner was because there isn't a lot of experience in doing this specific surgery that I'm getting done," he said (via AP).


(cbssports.com)

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Thursday that he has spoken to general manager Doug Melvin about the possibility of Ryan Braun moving to first base”

“I think he’s a good defender in the outfield, learning a new position that he picked up pretty fast. I think he’ll continue to get better in right. We haven’t approached (Braun) about it. It’s just kind of what the needs are. We have (Gerardo) Parra here now and we need to figure out what to do with him for next year.”

The talks aren’t serious yet, but the fact is that the Brewers have four outfielders — Khris Davis, Carlos Gomez, Gerardo Parra and Braun — and three of them are better than Braun. And, of course, Mark Reynolds is not a long-term solution at first base.

Braun, of course, would need to bounce back on offense in order to be worth his contract at first base. He has hit a poor-for-him .269/.323/.457 this year, with 19 homers and 81 RBI. That won’t cut it long-term in an outfield corner for a guy who makes what he makes, and certainly won’t play efficiently at first base.

Braun battled a serious hand injury all year. Milwaukee had better hope that was the problem. And not something else. Like, say, a big falloff by virtue of playing clean.


(hardballtalk.com)

NEWS UPDATE
Braun will undergo a minimally-invasive surgical procedure on his thumb Thursday morning in Los Angeles, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

ROTOWIRE FANTASY ANALYSIS
Braun, who is in Sunday's lineup against the Cubs for the Brewers' season finale, has been playing with an ongoing nerve issue with his right thumb for most of the season, with his offensive production especially weakened in the second half (.228/.295/.379 over 254 plate appearances). The outfielder's greatest difficulty has come with gripping the bat, a problem he expects the procedure to fully resolve. Braun will turn 31 in November and believes he can return to the level of superstar-caliber play he delivered over his previous seven seasons, but there's plenty of reason to be pessimistic. His slugging percentage already noticed a steep dip in 2013 while he played amid an ongoing investigation for his involvement with the Biogenesis clinic, and the track record of players regaining power after the age of 30 is not promising.


(rotowire.com)

Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was a scratch Tuesday night because of ongoing problems with is right thumb. Here's Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

Manager Ron Roenicke removed the struggling Braun from the starting lineup Tuesday because his hand/thumb was bothering him even more of late. The former all-star has performed poorly at the plate since the all-star break, batting .230 with seven homers and 26 RBI.

On this home stand, Braun was 3-for-15 (.200) with one RBI.

Asked about his thumb over the weekend, Braun declined to get into specifics about how it has affected his play. But Roenicke indicated it's not just the right thumb but also that hand that has prevented Braun from gripping a bat properly.

To state the obvious, thumb/hand injuries are troubling, power-sapping things that tend to linger, and that's precisely the case with Braun right now.

Braun's batting .273/.323/.471 on the season with 18 homers in 118 games. That's well below the former MVP's usual standards, and, as Haudricourt points out, he's been trending downward of late. Suffice it to say, this isn't good news for the Brewers, who, despite their ongoing spiral, remain in the race for a playoff berth.


(cbssports.com)

MILWAUKEE —Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun and his wife are new parents.

Larisa Braun has given birth to a baby girl, according to the team.

The baby's name is Celine Elysse Braun.

Ryan Braun is expected to rejoin the team Friday. 


(wisn.com)

Chicago - Ryan Braun has left the Brewers to return to Milwaukee to be with wife Larisa for the birth of their first child.

That makes it extremely unlikely that Braun would be in the Brewers' lineup for their game Wednesday night against dthe Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, despite the proximity of the two cities.

The Brewers already are down one outfielder with Carlos Gomez out with a sprained left wrist. Gomez could miss as much as two weeks of action while he recovers.

Gerardo Parra has been playing in center field in Gomez's absence. Assuming Braun is not in the lineup tonight, Logan Schafer probably will start in right field as the Brewers look to snap their seven-game losing streak.


(jsonline.com)

CHICAGO -- Ryan Braun's nerve issues with his right thumb have been well chronicled, particularly during the second half of the season.

The slugging outfielder has seen his batting average dip from .298 to .274 since the All-Star break, and he's been hitting .160 (4-for-25) during the team's season-high seven-game losing streak.

"It is ongoing," manager Ron Roenicke said of Braun's thumb issues Tuesday. "There's times when he feels really good. You can tell it in batting practice, then he usually takes it into ballgames. But there's times where it's just sore and the swings aren't what he's used to. Now he tries to adjust. ... Now all of a sudden he gets out of whack."

Roenicke didn't rule out moving Braun from his customary spot in the three-hole, but that the lack of power in the Brewers' lineup currently has given no incentive to do so.

"We'll see," Roenicke said. "The problem is right now is that we don't have anybody who's really just crushing the ball. ... We need to have some guys swinging it well, so that when you make a move, you feel good about making a move."


(mlb.com)

MILWAUKEE -- The lingering nerve issue in Ryan Braun's right hand and thumb has been well-documented.

Until a solution is found -- if one ever is found -- the Milwaukee Brewers right fielder is going to have to deal with the injury the best he can. It is obvious when the thumb is flaring up on Braun, as his swings become defensive and he lacks an ability to drive the baseball.

Braun is hitting just .239 with six homers and 22 RBI since the All-Star break, causing his batting average to slip to .279, 30 points below his career average of .309. The 30-year-old has finished a season hitting under .300 just twice -- hitting .285 in 2008 and .298 last season when he was suspended for the final 65 games for use of performance-enhancing drugs.

"It's still there, but physically, I think he's OK," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said of Braun's thumb. "He just continues to swing at bad pitches. Some of it, he feels like he has to start a little earlier because of the hand and that causes you to chase."

The numbers back up Roenicke's assertion that Braun is swinging at more bad pitches than he ever has. According to Fangraphs.com, Braun has swung at 40.8 percent of pitches outside of the strike zone, far above his career chase-rate average of 33.3 percent.

Braun is swinging more in general and has the highest swinging strike rate of his career at 10.9 percent. He's also making contact on 69 percent of the pitches outside of the strike zone he swings at, which could lead to the assumption that Braun is getting himself out quite a bit.

"It is a combination of a lot of things," Braun said of his chase rate. "But more than anything, when I swing at strikes I put myself in a better position to be successful."

Roenicke, while acknowledging Braun isn't the only player on the Brewers with the habit of swinging at bad pitches, used a specific example to show the impact chasing can have. With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning Saturday, Pirates right-hander Edinson Volquez jammed Braun on a pitch way off the plate inside. The result was a weak pop up, as Milwaukee ended up leaving the bases loaded.

With Braun often times taking an opposite-field approach at the plate this season, pitchers have routinely tried to get him out with pitches off the plate inside.
"They're pitching him in more, and he's chasing it more inside," Roenicke said.

Despite a dip in batting average, Braun has still found a way to drive in 74 runs thus far, which puts him in the top 10 in the National League in that category. But he's on pace to finish with 21 home runs and 91 RBI on the season, both numbers being career-lows outside of the year he was suspended.

There's no question the Brewers will need Braun to be an offensive force in the middle of their lineup in order to make the postseason and make a run in the playoffs if they qualify.

Since taking a day off in Chicago to rest his thumb after hitting .217 over his first 12 games in August, Braun has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games, including three home runs.

"I feel OK," Braun said. "It has kind of been a grind physically, so I've tried to make adjustments. I'm trying to make sure I swing at good pitches to put myself in position to be successful. I feel alright."


(foxsports.com)

MILWAUKEE -- Thanks to a .221/.268/.377 slash line through the first 19 games of August, Ryan Braun entered Sunday with a .275 batting average. For Braun, that number is notable. He's only finished two seasons in his career with an average below .300, finishing at .285 in 2008 and .298 in his suspension-shortened 2013.

While Braun has admitted to still being bothered by a lingering nerve issue in his right hand, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Braun's recent struggles have been more due to a lack of selectivity at the plate.

"It's still there, but physically, I think he's OK. He just continues to swing at bad pitches," Roenicke said. "They're pitching him in more, and he's chasing it more inside."

According to FanGraphs.com's plate discipline data, Braun has swung at 40.7 percent of pitches outside the strike zone this season, easily the highest rate of his career and far above his lifetime average of 33.3 percent.

While Roenicke acknowledged that Braun's not the only Brewer with an abnormally high chase rate, he conceded that the issue is particularly concerning with Braun, one of the team's best hitters.

He pointed to Braun's at-bat in the fourth inning of Saturday's 10-2 loss to the Pirates as a prime example. He came to the plate with the bases loaded and only one out, but Pirates righty Edinson Volquez jammed Braun inside with a 95-mph pitch, and Braun popped out weakly to the second baseman.

The Brewers didn't score after Aramis Ramirez struck out in the next at-bat, and the missed opportunity created a momentum swing in the game.


(mlb.com)

Ryan Braun had an RBI double and a run scored in Tuesday's win over the Blue Jays.

Braun had one of the Brewers' seven doubles on the night, his only hit in four at-bats. It gave him his 70th RBI of the season, seventh-most in the National League. The outfielder has struggled in August as his thumb continues to bother him, and he owns a .275/.327/.482 line on the year.


(rotoworld.com)

Ryan Braun went 2-for-4 with an RBI single in a loss to the Dodgers on Sunday.

Braun and the Brewers were held in check by Clayton Kershaw most of the afternoon, but the right fielder came through with an RBI single in the first inning to give the Brewers an early lead. Braun hasn't had the same kind of production this season after last year's suspension, but he's hitting .285/.338/.496 and is sixth in the National League with 67 RBI after Sunday.


(rotoworld.com)

MILWAUKEE — As the slider Ryan Braun had just crushed landed several rows up in the left-field bleachers, a horde of fans scurried to find the ball. The rest of the crowd roared, and fireworks boomed overhead.

Braun put his head down and kept jogging. His face was expressionless; he looked focused, determined.

For the rest of his career, Braun may be a polarizing figure everywhere but Milwaukee, remembered for how he adamantly denied using performance-enhancing drugs, how he accused a test collector of mishandling his sample and how, ultimately, he was linked to the Biogenesis scandal and was suspended for 65 games.

Like other disgraced stars, Braun offered apologies. He expressed remorse through the news media but did not discuss specifics. He wrote a letter to Bud Selig. He had dinner with the test collector. He called Brewers season-ticket holders.

Here, in Miller Park, Braun is safe from judgment, safe from the vitriol that followed him. Brewers fans seem to have forgiven him, at least so long as he keeps producing. This season, his first since the suspension, this is his sanctuary.

“Here, it’s always good,” Brewers Manager Ron Roenicke said. “It’s been great. But on the road, it’s continued to be tough. It used to be, the Cubs fans would boo him; some fans around our division would boo him. Now, it’s everywhere.”

Braun, 30, declined to comment for this article, citing his busy pregame routine. Roenicke seemed mostly pleased with Braun’s season, perhaps because he has not needed Braun to carry the load by himself. Three Brewers players started in the All-Star Game, including catcher Jonathan Lucroy, a potential candidate for the Most Valuable Player award. Fittingly, the Brewers led the National League with 58 wins entering Friday.

And just now, finally, Braun is coming around, Roenicke said.

To this point, he has had an up-and-down season. Over his first 22 games, Braun crushed the ball, with 18 runs batted in. Then an oblique injury cost him about two weeks, and afterward, Roenicke said, it took Braun a while to regain his form.

His power numbers dipped noticeably. Over the first six seasons of his career, through 2012, he averaged about 34 home runs, 76 extra-base hits and 107 R.B.I. a season. Entering Friday, he had a .302 batting average but was on pace for only about 24 homers, 64 extra-base hits and 93 R.B.I. this season.
That home run to left field, though, a two-run shot in Thursday night’s victory over the Mets, extended Braun’s hitting streak to 12 games.

During the streak, Braun was batting .383, with three homers and 11 R.B.I., playing as well as he had all season.

“He looks like himself lately,” Roenicke said, adding: “If you look up there, his numbers are getting where they should be again. He’s slowly picking back up there.

“Really the last week, I’m seeing the guy that we were used to seeing.”

Left fielder Khris Davis, who has pushed Braun to right field, was leading the Brewers with 17 home runs. Four players other than Braun had at least 46 R.B.I. But his standing on the team, after all the drama, appeared unchanged.

“He’s producing, and that’s what we need from him,” third baseman Aramis Ramirez said, adding: “We treat him just like we did last year and the year before. He’s one of our teammates, who just went through a rough time.”


(nytimes.com)

In a blog post headlined "Ryan Braun's power outage," ESPN's Buster Olney examines how different a hitter the Milwaukee Brewers rightfielder has been this season compared to past seasons, particularly 2012 and '11.

Olney quotes an unidentified evaluator who has seen Braun a few times this season, one in which Braun has dealt with a variety of injuries.

"Takes the ball to the opposite field a lot," said the evaluator. "I think he's more of an opposite field hitter than almost anybody in baseball. He doesn't really pull the ball anymore, and I don't think he hits the ball as far as he used to."

Olney then uses data about Braun generated by senior researcher Justin Havens, who found that 46.1% of Braun's hits this season were to the opposite field, compared to 32.8% in 2013, 31.4% in '12 and 27.8% in '11. He ranks 146th out of 163 batters in percent of hits pulled (30.8%).

Braun's slugging percentage notably is down when he does pull the ball. And his batted balls simply are not traveling as far, down 17 feet on average from last season. Braun also is chasing pitches out of the strike zone more than he has in the past — 39% this season, which Havens said is one of the highest marks in baseball. With two strikes his chase rate is 55% this season compared to 41.7% last season.

"The numbers are clear: a far greater percentage of Braun's hits are going to opposite field than in previous seasons, and the balls he does pull are being pulled with noticeably less authority," Olney said. "What has caused this clear departure is for others to speculate on, but it is clear Braun is not the hitter he was in previous seasons."

Olney notes: "Braun is having a good season, without question, with a .354 on-base percentage. He's on track to accumulate a respectable 63 extra-base hits — but with 19 homers and 37 walks, very different from his 2012 totals of 41 homers and 63 walks."


(jsonline.com)

In a blog post headlined "Ryan Braun's power outage," ESPN's Buster Olney examines how different a hitter Braun has been this season compared to past seasons, particularly 2012 and '11.

Olney quotes an unidentified evaluator who has seen Braun a few times this season, one in which Braun has dealt with a variety of injuries. 

“Takes the ball to the opposite field a lot,” said the evaluator. “I think he’s more of an opposite field hitter than almost anybody in baseball. He doesn’t really pull the ball anymore, and I don’t think he hits the ball as far as he used to.” 

Olney then uses data about Braun generated by senior researcher Justin Havens who found that 46.1% of Braun's hits this season were to the opposite field, compared to 32.8% in 2013, 31.4% in '12 and 27.8% in '11. He ranks 146th out of 163 batters in percent of hits pulled (30.8%).

Braun's slugging percentage notably is down when he does pull the ball. And his batted balls simply are not traveling as far, down 17 feet on average from last season. Braun also is chasing pitches out of the strike zone more than he has in the past -- 39% this season, which Havens said is one of the highest marks in baseball. With two strikes his chase rate is 55% this season compared to 41.7% last season.

"The numbers are clear: a far greater percentage of Braun's hits are going to opposite field than in previous seasons, and the balls he does pull are being pulled with noticeably less authority," Olney said. "What has caused this clear departure is for others to speculate on, but it is clear Braun is not the hitter he was in previous seasons."

Olney notes: "Braun is having a good season, without question, with a .354 on-base percentage. He’s on track to accumulate a respectable 63 extra-base hits -- but with 19 homers and 37 walks, very different from his 2012 totals of 41 homers and 63 walks."


(jsonline.com)

NEWS UPDATE
Braun (back) is in the lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Phillies.

ROTOWIRE FANTASY ANALYSIS
Although Braun intimated Wednesday that he was having trouble even getting out of bed and walking, the training staff has given him the green light to return Thursday to face right-hander David Buchanan. Braun will slot into the fifth spot in the order, marking his first start in the five-hole since 2008, his second season in the majors.


(rotowire.com)

NEWS UPDATE
Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Tuesday that Braun (back) should be able to play again on the team's current homestand, Andrew Gruman of FOX Sports Wisconsin reports.

ROTOWIRE FANTASY ANALYSIS
Another flareup with Braun's back spasms resulted in his removal from Monday's game, and Roenicke decided it was best to leave him on the bench and give Logan Schafer the start in right Tuesday. Fortunately, it sounds like Braun's setback is relatively minor, as he's expected to play again before the All-Star break, though Roenicke did not say whether he'd be back before the end of the Phillies series.


(rotowire.com)

Cincinnati — While he missed the Milwaukee Brewers' series finale with the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park, Ryan Braun seemed fairly confident that the lower back spasms he's been suffering won't be a lingering issue.

"I'm OK," he said before the game. "Sore, but as back spasms typically go, just get treatment as much as I can today, hope that it gets better and do the things I can to get back as soon as possible."

The issue cropped up during batting practice before Saturday's game, and he wound up playing just one inning — striking out swinging in the top of the first — before giving way to Logan Schafer.

"I don't know if it was one specific swing in BP, but I felt it during BP and thought that I'd do what I could to play through it," Braun said. "And it just wasn't mobile enough for me to be able to really move around."

"All I can do is get multiple rounds of treatment today and see where we're at throughout the course of the day and tomorrow."

Braun doesn't have much experience with back spasms, but they're not something that typically lingers.

"It shouldn't, knock on wood," he said. "We should hopefully knock them out, and it's something that should go away."

Braun has also dealt with a nerve issue in his right thumb as well as a right oblique strain that forced him out for 14 games.

The timing of Braun's absence isn't great from a couple of perspectives.

Not only do the Brewers want to continue to play well with the first half of the season coming to a close, but Braun has been looking better at the plate. He's currently hitting .288 with 11 home runs and 49 runs batted in.

Knowing early on that Braun wouldn't be ready to go allowed manager Ron Roenicke put together a lineup that featured Jean Segura hitting second with Schafer down in the eighth spot. On Saturday, he was forced to bat Schafer in Braun's second spot, giving him two straight left-handed hitters with Scooter Gennett leading off.

"I didn't like yesterday," Roenicke said. "I talked to him before the game, and I told him, 'I don't want you in there if I'm having to take you out of there.'

"Because you set up a lineup for certain personnel, and when a guy comes out of a lineup or you think he has a good chance of coming out of a lineup, now I've got two left-handers back-to-back, which now allows them to bring in their two left-handers if it works out in the game, to get your two lefties.

"That's not an ideal way to do it."


(jsonline.com)

CINCINNATI -- Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun left Saturday's 1-0 win against the Cincinnati Reds with spasms in his lower back.

Braun struck out swinging in the first and played right field in the bottom half of the inning. He was replaced in the field by Logan Schafer for the second inning.

Braun has been one of the Brewers' most consistent hitters lately. He had an eight-game hitting streak snapped during a 4-2 loss on Friday night. Braun is batting .289 with 11 homers and a team-high 49 RBIs.

Braun missed 14 games in May because of a strained right oblique. He's started 68 games, including one as a designated hitter.

The NL Central leaders are an NL-best 52-36.


(espn.com)

Ryan Braun singled and had a two-RBI triple in Wednesday's loss to the Blue Jays.

He was fortunate to get his two-RBI triple in the third inning, as Colby Rasmus took a bad route and made an ill-timed jump before the ball went off his glove. Nevertheless, it was another nice day for Braun, who is now hitting .333 with a homer and 14 RBI over his last 14 games.


(rotoworld.com)

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said that Ryan Braun suffered a minor ankle injury on Sunday and could be forced to miss Monday's game.

The ankle injury is the reason that Braun was pulled early from Sunday's contest against the Rockies. It doesn't look as though it's serious enough to necessitate a trip to the disabled list, so expect him to return to the lineup at some point early in the week.


(rotoworld.com)

MILWAUKEE COUNTY (WITI) — FOX6 News has learned a lawsuit, filed by a “close friend” of Brewers slugger Ryan Braun has been dismissed.

The lawsuit was filed in Milwaukee County Court on July 31st, 2013.

The lawsuit alleged Braun has been using steroids since his days at the University of Miami.

The lawsuit was filed by Ralph Sasson — a self-described “close friend” of Braun’s from grade school, high school and college.

The lawsuit contained documents that alleged or implied that Braun has been using steroids since college, that he accepted illegal payments in violation of NCAA rules and that he committed academic misconduct at the University of Miami.

The lawsuit’s primary complaint is that Braun made defamatory statements about Sasson after a business deal went south.

Sasson said after Braun tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone in 2011, Braun’s agent contacted him and offered him $5,000 for research that would help Braun beat the rap — including a background check on Dino Laurenzi — the man who collected Braun’s urine.

The lawsuit also accused Braun of encouraging Sasson to make prank phone calls intended to throw off ESPN reporters who were preparing to break the story of Braun’s failed drug test.

Sasson says he refused to make the calls, but he did perform research aimed at helping his friend.

When Braun’s agent refused to pay, Sasson threatened to sue.

He eventually got paid, but only after signing a confidentiality agreement, which requires that neither party say disparaging things about the other.
The lawsuit claims Braun violated that agreement by telling others that Sasson was “rude to the staff at Miller Park” and that he is “crazy.”

Sasson was asking the court for punitive damages.


(fox6now.com)

Brewers rightfielder Ryan Braun, who was third among National League outfielders in fan balloting for the all-star team in the first round of voting, has dropped to sixth in the second round.

Teammate Carlos Gomez moved ahead of Braun into fifth place among NL outfielders. The top three outfielders in fan balloting will be starters in the All-Star Game in Minneapolis on Tuesday July 15.

Yasiel Puig of Los Angeles moved into first place among NL outfielders, followed by Colorado's Charlie Blackmon and Miami's Giancarlo Stanton. Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP, is fourth, followed by Gomez and Braun.

Puig had more than 935,000 votes, with Blackmon at 883,186 and Stanton at 863,307. Gomez had more than 819,000 votes and Braun more than 750,000.
Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy moved up one place into third among catchers, following St. Louis' Yadier Molina and Buster Posey.

Shortstop Jean Segura moved up to third among shortstops, behind Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki and San Francisco's Brandon Crawford.

Third baseman Aramis Ramirez dropped one spot to third among third basemen in the balloting, trailing Colorado's Nolan Arenado and New York's David Wright.

Tulowitzki, the NL's starting shortstop in 2013 and a three-time all-star, has taken the overall lead in the majors with 1,419,718 votes to pull ahead of the top American League vote-getter, Mike Trout (1,361,649) of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. 


(jsonline.com)

MILWAUKEE — Now leading off for the Brewers ... outfielder Ryan Braun?

It could have happened in spring training. But the Milwaukee slugger’s suggestion to manager Ron Roenicke went nowhere, giving Braun one less adjustment to make after returning from a 65-game drug suspension that ended his 2013 season early.

Two months into 2014 and things are going just fine for the Brewers and their star outfielder. Milwaukee leads the NL Central, while Braun is hitting .315 and making a smooth transition from left to right field. He’s even third in among NL outfielders in All-Star balloting as of Wednesday.

“Most of those things ... seem to be a result of team success but I think the better our team does, the higher likelihood we have of having multiple All-Stars. The fact that we’re off to a good start is encouraging in that regard,” Braun said. “But other than, I don’t pay much attention to it.”

Fans are still clearly paying attention to Braun. Just take a take a look around during a typical game at Miller Park at all the fans wearing No. 8 Braun shirts. They offered rousing applause after Braun’s hard bouncer down the right-field line for a double drove in two runs in the second inning of an 8-3 win Wednesday over the Baltimore Orioles.

On the road, Braun gets his share of boos. The 2011 NL MVP expected nothing less upon his return from his suspension from the Biogenesis doping scandal.
Braun had seven homers and 23 RBIs going into this weekend’s three-game homestand against the Chicago Cubs despite missing two weeks with a right oblique injury. The lineup has been clicking especially the five games since Braun was moved to the No. 2 hole as manager Ron Roenicke sought to spark the team’s slumbering bats. Braun is hitting .455 (10 for 22) with five runs during that period.

“I think it’s advantageous to get your best hitters as many plate appearances as possible, so if I’m hitting second I get 15 more at-bats or whatever it is over the course of the season than I would if I’m hitting third,” Braun said. “So I think it’s in our best interest as a team. We’ve certainly swung the bats well over the last 6-7 days, so it’s a good thing. So far, so good.”

The move to right has gone well, too. The switch was done in part to give left fielder Khris Davis regular playing time, and he has rewarded the Brewers of late by hitting homers in three straight games.

Braun has looked comfortable tracking down flies on the run and playing angles from his new vantage point in right. He looks right at home in Miller Park, and Braun said it’s a matter of getting used to the position as he goes from stop to stop on the road.

The move, along with the gloves flashed by infield newcomers Mark Reynolds and Lyle Overbay, has boosted a defense that also includes Gold Glove-winner Carlos Gomez in center and the speedy Jean Segura at short.

“Overall I think we’re playing really good defense,” Roenicke said. “We’ve had sloppy games — I think everybody does — but overall I think we’ve done a great job of picking up the pitching staff.”

Pitching, defense and the emergence of Gomez, Segura and catcher Jonathan Lucroy have helped the offense withstand the losses of third baseman Aramis Ramirez (hamstring) and Braun for spurts due to injuries. Braun in April was also bothered by the lingering effects of a right hand injury from last season.

In one respect, the Brewers are less reliant on Braun — though they’re clearly much better when he’s playing. Milwaukee is 22-14 when Braun is in the lineup, and 10-8 when he’s not.

It might make a fan wonder what would have happened if Roenicke heeded Braun’s suggestion back in spring training to lead off. Braun recalled leading off a couple times in Triple-A.

“I don’t think I’ve ever done it in the big leagues that I can remember,” Braun said. “I want to do it, though. I think I could be a really good leadoff hitter.”
He’ll have to settle for second for now.


(wiscnews.com)

Brewers rightfielder Ryan Braun, who wasn't voted to the National League all-star team in 2013 while battling injuries as well as a PED investigation, is third among outfielders in fan balloting in the first results announced Tuesday.

Many wondered how Braun would fare in fan balloting this year after finally admitting to PED use last season and drawing a season-ending suspension on July 22.

In the early going, with 446,780 votes, he is third behind Colorado's Charlie Blackmon (549,394) and Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen (467,378) in the outfield balloting. Carlos Gomez ranks sixth in the outfield voting.

The first three vote-getters go to the All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15 in Minneapolis.

Braun was the leading vote-getter in 2012 among all NL players before having a five-year streak of being elected end last year.


(jsonline.com)

Ryan Braun left the Milwaukee Brewers' game against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning Thursday night with tightness in his right side.

The Brewers slugger grounded out in his first two at-bats. He was replaced in the fifth by pinch hitter Elian Herrera, who stayed in the game in right field.

The Brewers lost 5-4 after the Braves staged a late comeback starting in the bottom of the sixth.

Braun returned last week from a stint on the 15-day disabled list with a right oblique strain. He is hitting .289 overall with seven homers and 19 RBIs.

The Brewers also were without center fielder Carlos Gomez on Thursday. He is day to day with ongoing lower-back issues.


(espn.com)

Caution continues to be the buzzword with regard to Ryan Braun.

The Milwaukee Brewers' rightfielder was out of the lineup Friday as the team opened a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Brewers were also without centerfielder Carlos Gomez, who was serving the last day of his three-game suspension.

As it turned out, Braun's absence was precautionary only and had nothing to do with the 38-degree temperature or slick grass caused by the morning-long rain that soaked the area.

Braun was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday in advance of the Brewers' three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park. Braun had been out since April 27 after straining his right oblique.

"I was hoping he could play the three games at home," said manager Ron Roenicke. "The last two were important because of the left-handed pitchers. So that's why we took him out early that first game, to make sure he could play those next two.

"Then I didn't know — do I give him today, do I give him tomorrow? We just thought that coming off the three that today would be a good day to do it."

Braun went 3 for 10 with three singles and a walk against the Pirates, and most important had no further issues with his side.

"I thought his swings yesterday went well. Squared up a couple balls," Roenicke said. "I think he's feeling pretty good."

Elian Herrera started in right field against the Cubs and doubled twice and scored a run in a 4-3 victory.

Gomez, meanwhile, said he was doing better after a recent bout of back spasms sidelined him and ultimately led to him dropping his appeal of his three-game suspension.

"It's stiff today because there's no good bed at the hotel," Gomez said while riding a stationary bike in the tiny visiting clubhouse. "Today I feel better. But now that I'm warm it's good. I think I'm going to be playing tomorrow."

Gomez said he routinely sleeps on the floor in his hotel rooms on the road if the mattress is too soft for him. At home, in addition to being able to sleep on a firmer mattress, he uses a full-sized hyperbaric chamber he bought last year in order to help rejuvenate himself.

"It helps everything," he said. "You have a rough night and you're not sleeping good, you go in there and you sleep three, four hours and you feel like you're recovered completely. When I'm awake and feeling, like, slow, I go into the chamber and when I get out I'm (ready to go)."


(jsonline.com)

Is Ryan Braun the most hated figure in American sports?

Braun appeared on an unranked list of "Most Disliked People in Sports," published Friday on the magazine's website.

Braun's entry in the list states:

After winning the National League MVP in 2011 and establishing himself as one of baseball's best, Braun was tied to the Biogenesis scandal and faced a suspension. He appealed and won -- and lied. After further investigation, Braun was hit with a 65-game suspension, mitigated by earlier public criticism of MLB's drug testing program.

Also making the list were Lakers owner Donald Sterling, suspended Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, Richie Incognito, Michael Vick, Ndamukong Suh of the Detroit Lions and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.


(wisn.com)

Milwaukee Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said OF Ryan Braun (oblique) is playing at less than 100 percent because of a strained right oblique but he likes having a limited Braun in the lineup with 3B Aramis Ramirez (hamstring) is on the disabled list. "With Aramis now out of there, it would be really tough (playing without Braun)," Roenicke said. "And Ryan, he's good even when he's not 100 percent."


(kffl.com)

Ryan Braun went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles as the Brewers lost to the Pirates on Wednesday.

Braun collected his first hits since being activated from the disabled list on Wednesday. He had been dealing with a strained oblique and played only six innings in his return. On Thursday, he went eight innings before being taken out for Logan Schafer. When Braun has been healthy, he has been very productive, now slashing .319/.365/.574 on the year.


(rotoworld.com)

MILWAUKEE -- One slugger back, one slugger down for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Outfielder Ryan Braun was activated from the 15-day disabled list after being sidelined with a right oblique strain. He started Tuesday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, going 0 for 2 with a walk before being removed in the seventh inning. He was not expected to play all nine innings, the team said.

Third baseman Aramis Ramirez was placed on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. He got hurt fielding a bouncer in Saturday night's 5-4 win over the Yankees.

The battered Brewers lost another key player when outfielder Carlos Gomez left the Pirates game after the bottom of the fifth with lower back tightness. He was not in the team's lineup Wednesday.

Braun was hitting .318 with six homers and 18 RBIs when he got hurt. Seeing Ramirez go down didn't add any extra urgency, Braun said.

The Brewers had discussed possibly sending Braun to the minors for a rehab game Monday but weather and travel issues curtailed that plan. Instead, the slugger was back his customary No. 3 position in the batting order Tuesday.

"I think he's going to be good. He's a guy that when he sat in the past he's been pretty good right off, so I'm hoping that's what happens," manager Ron Roenicke said.


(espn.com)

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said after Tuesday's game that Ryan Braun being removed after six innings was planned ahead of time.

Fantasy owners can exhale. The Brewers are planning to ease Braun back into things as he returns from an oblique strain, but he should be back to a full workload soon.


(rotoworld.com)

With Carlos Gomez expected to miss some, if not all, of the three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates beginning Tuesday night at Miller Park due to his suspension and Aramis Ramirez poised to go on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring, impact bats are going to be at a premium for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Enter Ryan Braun, who should be ready to go after his own stint on the DL with a strained right oblique. His prep work done, a discussed one-game rehab stint at Class A Wisconsin scuttled by rain Monday, Braun will need to hit the ground running as the Brewers try to build off a weekend that saw them take two of three interleague games from the New York Yankees.

"I think there's always a sense of urgency," Braun said Sunday. "I think that sense of urgency may increase slightly with the fact that Rami's most likely going to go on the DL and there's a good chance that Gomey is suspended for possibly the whole series.

"But I think most important is getting me to a point where I'm able to play. It's not something you can force your way through. Obviously, you don't need to be 100%, but you need to be somewhat close before they're comfortable putting me back in there."

With Braun in the final stages of his recovery, Milwaukee squeezed out a pair of one-run victories over the Yankees. Sunday's was most impressive as the Brewers posted their first walk-off of the season with an unlikely heart of the order that included Logan Schafer, Rickie Weeks, Lyle Overbay and Mark Reynolds.

That foursome accounted for seven of the Brewers' 12 hits and five of the six runs batted in as manager Ron Roenicke tried to fill the gaps in a lineup that opened the season strongly but has since been compromised by injury and inconsistency brought about by a free-swinging approach.

In Braun, Roenicke would have his best all-around hitter back in the third spot, giving him a much-needed power threat as well as someone who is also selective at the plate. In 22 games, Braun is hitting .318 with six home runs and 18 RBI with an on-base percentage of .361, a slugging percentage of .591 and an OPS of .952.

Adding to the frustration of losing him to the DL was the fact that Braun was doing some of his best work just before being injured.

Three of his six homers came in the final two games of a four-game series with the Pirates at PNC Park. He hit two, including the game-winner in the ninth inning, in an 8-7 victory on April 19 and then another in the ninth inning of an eventual 3-2, 14-inning victory the following day that saw both teams engage in a benches-clearing brawl.

Both of the ninth-inning homers came against all-star closer Jason Grilli, who went on the DL with an oblique strain of his own shortly thereafter.

Since Braun was sidelined, the Brewers have gone 6-8. Ramirez was also battling through a major slump before being injured, leaving the offense without its anchors in the third and fourth spots and the team trying desperately not to suffer a second consecutive May swoon.

Getting a healthy Braun back should help, but the Brewers are still going to be at less than full strength until Ramirez returns. They entered the week tied with the San Francisco Giants with 24 victories, the most in the major leagues, and tied with the Giants for the best record in the National League at 24-14.

"You look around baseball and there's so many guys that are hurt, so many good players, key players, big-name players that are injured, and I think that makes it challenging for teams," Braun said. "You know from the beginning of the season that your depth will be challenged as a team, as an organization. It's an opportunity for other guys to step up, and I think we're up to the challenge.

"You never expect to get through a year with everybody healthy; you just know that inevitably throughout the grind of a 162-game season that you're going to deal with a lot of challenges as a team. Certainly it's a challenging time for us right now, but I really do think that we're up to the challenge."

One player who stepped up against the Yankees was Weeks, who figures to get opportunities against the Pirates. Pittsburgh starts right-hander Gerrit Cole in the opener Tuesday and then lefties Francisco Liriano and Wandy Rodriguez the final two games.

Weeks went 3 for 5 Sunday against the Yankees, driving in two runs and scoring the game-winner after doubling to lead off the ninth.

Milwaukee has won six of seven against Pittsburgh, including a three-game sweep of the Pirates at Miller Park in early April. Getting continued contributions from Weeks as well as others will be key with Roenicke now needing to fill the holes both in the leadoff spot and in center field because of Gomez's pending suspension.

"Every day and every game is important," said Gomez. "Rami's going to be out, but Rickie's the hot guy in the lineup, so put him in there and he's going to take care of business until Rami comes back. We need Khris Davis to start getting hot again — I don't think he's going to be like this for the whole year. He's in a little bit of a slump, but he'll be fine."

Cole and Gomez, of course, were two of the key players in that Easter Sunday brawl that also saw Martin Maldonado and Pirates players Travis Snider and Russell Martin suspended.

Snider has served his suspension, while Martin remains on the DL and won't play in the series. Even with some of those key players unavailable, the circumstances might well lead to an even more spirited rivalry between the two NL Central teams.

"I think they're going to come with more intensity," Gomez acknowledged. "I think it's good for the Pirates and it's good for us. You just come with more intensity in the game. Just play right and be clean and I think we'll be fine when all the emotion (is gone). They're going to come after us. They want to beat us bad and we want to do the same.

"It's good, competitive stuff."


(jsonline.com)

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Saturday that Ryan Braun (oblique) isn't a given to be activated from the disabled list when first eligible on Tuesday.
Braun took batting practice on the field again Saturday and also did some defensive work in the outfield. He feels fine, but Roenicke wants to make sure the outfielder is 100 percent. "He feels good; he swung a lot better today in BP, but he's still not probably there," said Roenicke. "We're still hopeful for Tuesday (against Pittsburgh), but I'm not sure. There's a difference in feeling it and whether it's bothering him. That's what we have to make sure of."


(rotoworld.com)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brewers slugger Ryan Braun should be ready to return from a right oblique strain in time for next week's series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The outfielder hasn't played since April 26. Braun was hitting .318 with six homers and 18 RBIs when he was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 3.

Braun took batting practice before the team's game Wednesday afternoon against Arizona. Manager Ron Roenicke says Braun should be ready when eligible to play his next game, Tuesday against NL Central-rival Pittsburgh.

Roenicke also says right-hander Marco Estrada was fine a day after the starter suffered a right leg cramp during a 7-5 loss to the Diamondbacks.


(ap.com)

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun went on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a right oblique strain.

Braun hasn't played since April 26 because of the injury, and apparently the team decided a few days of rest wasn't going to be enough for him to recover.

It's a setback for Braun, who was looking for a bounceback season after missing most of last year with his Biogenesis scandal suspension.

The one positive is the time off should allow for a thumb injury that Braun's also been dealing with to heal as well.

Braun has put up a slash line of .318/.361/.591 with six home runs and 18 RBI this season.

Fellow outfielder Logan Schafer, who has been on the DL himself with a hamstring strain, was activated to take Braun's place on the roster.


(sportingnews.com)

Ryan Braun has avoided the disabled list so far, but tonight the Brewers right fielder is sitting out his fifth consecutive game with a strained oblique muscle.

Elian Herrera subbed for Braun in right field for the first four of those games, but the Brewers just demoted him back to the minors and will apparently use first baseman/third baseman Mark Reynolds in right field now. Not only has Reynolds never started a game in the outfield, he has a grand total of four career innings there. So that should be pretty interesting to watch.

As for Braun, a disabled list stint seems likely if only because players with oblique injuries rarely are able to return within two weeks. He was last in the Brewers’ lineup Saturday.


(rotoworld.com)

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun was held out of the Brewers’ starting lineup for a second straight game Monday with a strained intercostal muscle.

Braun, injured Saturday in a 5-3 win over the Chicago Cubs, is still considered day-to-day. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke indicated Braun will not go on the disabled list, but he could miss at least two, and maybe three, more games.

Braun is hitting .318 with six homers and 18 RBI in 22 games.

The Brewers are playing at St. Louis against the Cardinals on Monday night.


(cbslocal.com)

When Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun left Saturday’s game against the Cubs, he was initially diagnosed with a slight intercostal strain. However, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports that he underwent an MRI yesterday which revealed a strained oblique.

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said yesterday that Braun was expected to miss 3-5 days, but it’s unclear whether the updated diagnosis will change the tentative timeline. We’ve seen on countless occasions that oblique injuries are very unpredictable, so there’s still a chance he could end up on the disabled list if he doesn’t see improvement soon.

The Brewers will be using a depleted lineup against Michael Wacha and the Cardinals tonight, as they are also missing shortstop Jean Segura after he suffered a deep gash under his right eye when he was accidentally hit by a warm-up swing from Braun during Saturday’s game. He required plastic surgery as a result and will likely miss a few more days.


(hardballtalk.com)

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Sunday that he expects Ryan Braun (intercostal) to miss the next 3-to-5 days.

Braun suffered a slight strain of his intercostal muscle during Saturday's game. While it's encouraging that he'll avoid a trip to the disabled list, fantasy owners will have to have a replacement available for the first half of next week.



(rotoworld.com)

This looks awfully painful…

Ryan Braun was standing in the dugout taking practice swings in Saturday’s game against the Cubs when teammate Jean Segura happened to walk right behind him.




(blacksportsonline.com)

Now that we know the truth, that all six of Ryan Braun's home runs this season have come at either PNC Park or Citizens Bank Park, will Major League Baseball put the state of Pennsylvania on the banned substance list? It must be something in the air, or the water, or the pirogi, or the Tastykakes, because once Braun steps into the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, he becomes the majors' deadliest hitter.

Perhaps lost among the bat flipping and and yelling and brawling between the Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday was Braun taking Bucs closer Jason Grilli deep for the second time in two games, giving him three homers against the Pirates this season, all at PNC. Combine them with the three homers Braun had at Philadelphia on April 8 and you've got his entire home run output for the season, six. Add two more 6's, and you have the Devil's area code.

Away from the comforts of the Keystone State, Braun is 8 for 40 with nine strikeouts. One extra-base hit. No RBIs. Braun must be taking advantage of a loophole in the drug testing rules because, for him, the great state of Pennsylvania is one giant PED. And it tastes just like Quaker Oats.

jeffpearlman: “It is illogical to believe Ryan Braun is clean. You put up huge #s, get caught, suspended, return—and you're just as good sans PED? Um, no.”
10:50 PM - 20 Apr 2014

Or maybe someone who's interested should look into what the connection actually is between performance-enhancing drugs and a player's performance. Now that would make for some good journalism. In the meantime, we need to ban Pennsylvania just to be sure. PNC Park? More like PED Park. Citizens Bank Park? More like... Citizens Biogenesis Park.

The bigger reality is, the Brewers are 14-5 overall, including 9-1 away from Miller Park, (and 6-1 in Pennsylvania). They're also 6-1 against the Pirates, rivals in the NL Central. And right now, Ryan Braun can't miss if there's an Andy Warhol Museum, or a Liberty Bell nearby. Somebody must stop him before the Brewers go back there and have either Primanti Bros. or cheese steaks.


(yahoosports.com)

Pittsburgh — With boos cascading down from every angle of PNC Park, Ryan Braun let his bat do the talking Saturday night.

The embattled rightfielder went 3 for 5, scored four runs and homered twice, with his second — a two-run shot off all-star closer Jason Grilli with one out in the ninth inning — lifting the Milwaukee Brewers to a dramatic 8-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"I embrace the challenge of an atmosphere and an environment like this," Braun said, referring to the crowd of 32,490 that let him know in no uncertain terms each time his name was announced how he's viewed in Pittsburgh.

"As a competitor, I think it makes it enjoyable. It makes it challenging. One way or the other, they're either going to be really happy or I'm going to enjoy it. Facing Jason Grilli, you know you've got your hands full.

"He's one of the best relievers in baseball and has been over the last few years. I was fortunate I was able to get the barrel to (the ball)."

The Brewers led, 4-1, before a five-run fourth inning made possible by several miscues — defensive and otherwise — allowed the Pirates to rally against starter Matt Garza, who remains without a victory after his first four turns in a Milwaukee uniform.

Pittsburgh scored again in the sixth to make it 7-5 before Braun scalded a ball to left-center off left-hander Tony Watson with one out in the seventh. It went over the fence on a line, narrowing the deficit to 7-6.

"I was surprised it carried out," Braun said, his troublesome right thumb still encased in ice. "I knew I had backspun it, but I thought it would maybe one-hop the wall or if I got lucky, get it off the wall. So I was surprised that ball got out."

Mark Melancon and Jim Henderson (2-0) each threw scoreless eighth innings to set the stage for Braun's big blow in the ninth.

After Grilli fanned Carlos Gomez for the first out, Jean Segura fell behind 0-2 before slapping a slider into left. With the boos raining down on him yet again, Braun strode to the plate and wasted little time angering the fans even more.

Grilli threw a 94-mph fastball that Braun hammered to straightaway center, just feet to the right of his first blast in the Milwaukee bullpen. Suddenly the Brewers were back in front, 8-7, and very quickly closer Francisco Rodriguez started warming up.

"Seggy got a base hit and I took my jacket off and I hadn't even stretched," Rodriguez said. "I turn around and the ball is coming flying into us, so I had to start getting ready quick."

Grilli got out of the frame with no further damage, but Rodriguez got a little extra time when Aramis Ramirez was plunked the at-bat after Braun's homer.

As it turned out, Braun's homer represented the first two runs scored by the Brewers off Grilli since 2007, when he was with the Detroit Tigers — a span of 17 scoreless innings.

"That's the type of statistic we don't want to be aware of," said Braun, who has 20 multi-homer games. His previous, a three-homer game, came April 8 across the state in Philadelphia.

"I don't think many teams have a lot of success against a guy like that — or their whole bullpen, for that matter. Their whole bullpen throws 95-plus; they all have great stuff.

"There's a reason they've been so successful. So it's not a good formula to have to come back against a team like this, but tonight we were able to do it."

Rodriguez entered and got the dangerous Andrew McCutchen to ground out to third before plunking Pedro Alvarez to bring the go-ahead run to the plate in the form of Jose Tabata.

With two hits and two runs already, Tabata jumped on Rodriguez's second offering and hit a tailor-made ground ball to Scooter Gennett, who started a game-clinching, 4-6-3 double play capped by a terrific stretch at first by Mark Reynolds.

It was the sixth save of the season for "K-Rod" and 310th of his career, tying him with Hall of Famer Goose Gossage for 20th on the all-time list.

"It means a lot," he said. "When you're right there with a Hall of Famer, I take a lot of pride in that. But at the same time, I'm not pitching for records at all. I pitch because I like this game, not for records or anything. But it's a privilege for me to be on that list."

And so it goes for the Brewers, who still hold the best record in the major leagues at 13-5 and sport an impressive 8-1 road record after stealing victories each of the last two nights from the Pirates.

On Friday, Milwaukee overcame four errors in the field and a couple of more on the base paths to win, 5-3. There were even more miscues in this one, but the Brewers were able to prevail again on the strength of Braun's big performance.

"We won another game that we probably shouldn't have won," said Brewers manager Ron Roenicke.

Rodriguez put it another way.

"We feel like we just took one out of their pocket," he said. "The crazy game yesterday, the way it ended up today, we'll take it. You're catching breaks, you have to capitalize and take it."


(jsonline.com)

Milwaukee Brewers OF Ryan Braun (thumb) is still being bothered by his ailing right thumb, which is why he was held out Wednesday, April 16. He's hitting .269 with three home runs and 10 RBIs, but his homers and seven of his RBIs came in one day on April 8.

Fantasy Tip: This is something you'll need to keep an eye on. Braun started slow, minus the breakout game against the Phillies. He may need to continue to be rested in the near future to avoid making his thumb worse.


(kffl.com)

Philadelphia – Ryan Braun knows he’s going to be booed at every stop on the road this season for the Milwaukee Brewers, some places louder than others.
But, according to manager Ron Roenicke, boo the Brewers’ embattled star at your own risk.

“At times, it certainly drives him,” Roenicke said Tuesday night after Braun whacked three home runs and drove in seven runs in a 10-4 romp over Philadelphia.

“There’s no question about that. He’s a special hitter. Those guys, when they turn it up, they turn it up.

“I was with the Angels (as a coach) a few years back and we let Jose Guillen go. And there were some kind of negative things along with that. And every time he came back in town, our fans would boo him. And every time they’d boo him, he got a huge hit. And I was just like, ‘Leave him alone.’

“Really, it makes a difference. Those guys who can turn it up, you don’t want to be messing with him. Here, definitely, it is rough. He’s going to deal with this issue. There’s no better way to quiet people up than doing what he’s doing.”

During the Phillies' home opener, Braun definitely heard his share of boos – and then some. But it wasn’t the first time that happened, and it won’t be the last, so Braun said he just tries to channel that energy to his advantage.

“I dealt with it the last two years,” said Braun, who became a primary target of boo-birds by finally admitting to PED use during his 2011 MVP season and accepting a season-ending 65-game suspension in 2013.

“It’s nothing new to me. I dealt with it in 2012 season. It’s not anything that’s really new to me or anything I haven’t experienced before.

“I try to use it to my advantage. As a competitor, the more hostile the environment, the more enjoyable it can be. I just focus on things I can control. I focus every day on trying to be successful.

“It’s great when we’re coming into places like this and winning games. I think here and Boston are probably two of the most challenging places to come in and win games. Just do what I can to help our team win.”

If the booing actually fuels Braun, he was asked if he’d like it to continue.

“I wouldn’t say that I want it, if it’s my choice,” he said with a smile. “But I don’t know that I have much of a say in the way fans are going to react. So, I might as well make the best of it and use it to my advantage and use as motivation.”

No matter how motivated he was in Boston, Braun struggled at the plate because a chronic right thumb issue flared up. But, with a change in the padding in his batting glove and an adjustment in his stride at the plate, he produced the second three-homer game of his career against Philly.

“I’ve dealt with it for a while,” said Braun, who had no homers or RBI before his big game against the Phillies. “There’s some ebb and flow, good and bad. I’m optimistic and hopeful that eventually we’ll figure something out that makes a difference but I’ve dealt with it for a while.

“The longer you deal with any injury, the easier it becomes to find a way to compensate. So, hopefully I’ll find a swing that I’m comfortable with.”

That’s the hope of everyone with the Brewers, because a productive Braun makes a deep lineup considerably more dangerous.

“Everybody knows he’s been struggling with this,” said Roenicke. “When that power shows up again, it’s a relief for all of us because this guy is important for us in our lineup. He doesn’t necessarily have to drive balls all the time but it’s important, in that third spot, to be good hitter.

“We need him to be that kind of guy. Not always launching balls out of the park, but to just be a good hitter.”


(jsonline.com)

Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was welcomed to the City of Brotherly Love with a hearty chorus of boos on Tuesday, but the jeers only seemed to inspire him. Braun, who just finished serving a suspension for violating MLB’s substance policy, knocked out two home runs in the game, including the three-run shot shown above. UPDATE: Braun added a third home run.

He also robbed a base hit with this incredible diving catch.



Learn the lesson, fans in other cities: Don’t boo Ryan Braun. It only makes him stronger.

(NEW YORK) -- Even though he's dealing with a thumb injury that could effect his performance at the plate, Milwaukee Brewers  outfielder Ryan Braun will play.

Braun's thumb has bothered him in the past, but he elected to not undergo surgery. Despite the setback, he still has no plans to undergo a procedure to help him recover.

"It's frustrating," he said. "I've dealt with it a long time. Like I said, I'm optimistic we'll figure something out and make it better. But when it gets to a point I can't come close to taking a normal swing, it's counterproductive to the team and to me to continue to play."

It's still very early, but Braun has struggled this season for the Brewers. In five games, he's batting .150 and has no extra base hits.

Braun returned this season after serving a 65-game suspension for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal.


(630wpro.com)

Ryan Braun went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and run scored in Sunday's win over the Red Sox.

Braun played designated hitter in Friday's game and sat out Saturday due to a nerve issue in his right thumb, but he was back in right field for Sunday's contest. The hits were his first since Opening Day, and it was his first multi-hit game of the year. The nerve issue is still a concern, but Sunday alleviates at least a tiny bit of concern about his ability to hit while managing the issue.


(rotoworld.com)

MILWAUKEE — Ryan Braun stepped into the batter's box, admittedly a bit anxious. The sellout crowd at Miller Park quickly put him at ease, showering him with a standing ovation.

First day back on the job after a drug suspension was already a day to remember for the Brewers slugger. Then he added another unique footnote to his career.

Braun went 1 for 4 and stole a base that helped set up a two-run inning, and later was ruled out in the first call overturned under baseball's expanded replay system as Milwaukee beat the Atlanta Braves 2-0 on Monday in a season opener.

The former MVP was returning from suspension for the final 65 games last year in the Biogenesis doping scandal. Played his first game as a right fielder, too.

What a way to start the season.

"It was special. It was an emotional moment for me," Braun said.

Braun said the ovation affected him. He flied out to left.

"Swung at some pitches that I typically don't swing at, but it's something that I'm very thankful for and very appreciative," Braun said.

Later, Braun had his infield single to lead off the sixth overturned to out after the call was challenged by Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez under Major League Baseball's new replay format.

The review took 58 seconds.

"I had a pretty good idea that I was out," Braun said, drawing laughs. "For all of us, we just hope they get it right, and they did get it right."

Two years ago, Braun became the first MLB player to get a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs overturned. Originally banned for 50 games, he filed a grievance and won.

Yovani Gallardo (1-0) tossed six shutout innings for the win. He allowed just four hits in becoming the first pitcher in franchise history to make five straight opening day starts.

A Braves lineup being relied on to help overcome the adversity to the injury-plagued pitching staff was silenced. Andrelton Simmons finished with two hits.

"You go up there, your third at-bat and (Gallardo) will throw you something completely different," said cleanup hitter Chris Johnson, who went 1 for 4 with a double. "Where did that come from? ... He's one of the tougher guys in the league."

In a bit of a surprise, Francisco Rodriguez struck out two in the ninth for his 305th career save. The veteran righty looked fine about two weeks after accidentally stepping on a cactus during spring training.

Manager Ron Roenicke said he turned to Rodriguez because Jim Henderson, who had 28 saves last season, was having a little trouble of late with his stuff. He hoped a couple outings outside the ninth would help Henderson get straightened out.

With injuries to pitchers including Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy, Atlanta started Julio Teheran (0-1) after a nice spring. He allowed seven hits in six innings.

"For his first start, for his first opening day, I thought he did a terrific job," Gonzalez said.

But all eyes in Miller Park were on Braun to start after the 2011 NL MVP played his first game since July 21. He was banned the next day.

It seemed like all was forgiven for most of the 45,691 fans in attendance.

Braun's hit and steal set up a two-run double by Aramis Ramirez in the fourth.

"It's special, we all know what he went through last year," Ramirez said. "For the fans to do that, it was very special."

Braun and Ramirez also missed time last season because of injuries.

With their third- and fourth-place hitters back, the Brewers like their chances with an offence that also features the speedy Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura at the top of the order. If the rest of the starting rotation throws like Gallardo, Milwaukee could challenge St. Louis, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh in the NL Central.


(theprovince.com)

MILWAUKEE -- Brewers star Ryan Braun drew a standing ovation in his return from a drug suspension, then was ruled out in the first call overturned under baseball's expanded replay system as Milwaukee beat the Atlanta Braves 2-0 on Monday in a season opener.

Braun went 1 for 4 and stole a base in the fourth inning that helped set up a two-run double by Aramis Ramirez.

A smattering of boos during Braun's first at-bat was easily drowned out by the overwhelming applause. The former MVP was suspended for the final 65 games last year in the Biogenesis doping scandal.

"It was special. It was an emotional moment for me," Braun said of the ovation.

Later, Braun had his infield single to lead off the sixth overturned to out after the call was challenged by Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez under Major League Baseball's new replay format.

The review took 58 seconds.

"I had a pretty good idea that I was out," Braun said, drawing laughs. "For all of us, we just hope they get it right, and they did get it right."

Yovani Gallardo (1-0) tossed six shutout innings for the win.

Francisco Rodriguez got the save, the 305th of his career. The veteran righty looked fine about two weeks after accidentally stepping on a cactus during spring training.

Making his first opening day start, Julio Teheran (0-1) allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings.

But all eyes in Miller Park were on Braun to start after the 2011 NL MVP played his first game since July 21. He was banned the next day.

It seemed like all was forgiven for most of the 45,000-plus fans in attendance.

"It's special, we all know what he went through last year," Ramirez said. "For the fans to do that, it was very special."

Braun and Ramirez also missed time last season due to injuries.

With their third- and fourth-place hitters back, the Brewers like their chances with an offense that also features the speedy Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura at the top of the order. If the rest of the starting rotation throws like Gallardo, Milwaukee could challenge St. Louis, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh in the NL Central.


(accessnorthga.com)

Ryan Braun has made all the right moves since his suspension, but Milwaukee Brewers lead owner Mark Attanasio said Braun needs to keep doing the right thing this season to totally win back Attanasio's trust.

"He's still under a microscope and I think he'll rise to the challenge," Attanasio said Monday during a press conference before the team's Opening Day at Miller Park. "We want to see him continue to rise the the challenge."

Braun will need to continue showing his commitment to the team and the community and "not break the rules again," Attanasio said.

During the later part of the 2013 season and the offseason, Braun pursued a path toward redemption, Attanasio said. Braun called sponsors and season ticket holders on his own, Attanasio said. Braun also participated in charity events and participated in the team's January fan fest, Attanasio noted.

"Since that point in July (2013 suspension date), he has taken some good steps towards embracing the community, his teammates and Major League Baseball," Attanasio said.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said the organization appreciated Braun's willingness to switch to right field from left field without questioning the decision.


(bizjournals.com)

Ryan Braun’s name as an All-Star product endorser became mud in 2013, but can the Milwaukee Brewers outfielder ever regain his spokesman status?

Some corporate sponsors dropped Braun when media coverage first arose that he was being investigated by Major League Baseball. His remaining sponsors dumped Braun in July 2013 when he was suspended for violating MLB’s drug prevention and treatment program.

Among the endorsements Braun lost were Kwik Trip, AirTran Airways, Nike and Muscle Milk. He also appeared in Associated Bank promotions and had his name on three restaurants with SURG Restaurant Group.

Braun, through a Brewers spokesman, declined to comment.

Braun’s efforts to resurrect his star status with Brewers fans, and possibly with advertisers, is a major focus of my coverage Friday in the Milwaukee Business Journal’s print edition. The package looks at the Milwaukee Brewers organization’s business challenges entering the 2014 season.

Somewhat surprisingly, Braun already has two deals for the upcoming season: Franklin Sports Inc. and its “Natural II” batting gloves and 3N2’s baseball and softball footwear and apparel.

3N2 president Marty Graham told me his company never could have afforded to hire Braun before his suspension, but jumped at the opportunity after Nike dropped him.

“Let’s face it — he’s made mistakes,” Graham said. “Obviously we’re working toward the future. We understand a lot of trust needs to be re-earned by Ryan.”

Franklin Sports executives are working with Braun because they view him as one of the best hitters in baseball, said Adam Franklin, director of e-commerce and marketing.

Ryan Braun’s name as an All-Star product endorser became mud in 2013, but can the Milwaukee Brewers outfielder ever regain his spokesman status?

Some corporate sponsors dropped Braun when media coverage first arose that he was being investigated by Major League Baseball. His remaining sponsors dumped Braun in July 2013 when he was suspended for violating MLB’s drug prevention and treatment program.

Among the endorsements Braun lost were Kwik Trip, AirTran Airways, Nike and Muscle Milk. He also appeared in Associated Bank promotions and had his name on three restaurants with SURG Restaurant Group.

Braun, through a Brewers spokesman, declined to comment.

Braun’s efforts to resurrect his star status with Brewers fans, and possibly with advertisers, is a major focus of my coverage Friday in the Milwaukee Business Journal’s print edition. The package looks at the Milwaukee Brewers organization’s business challenges entering the 2014 season.

Somewhat surprisingly, Braun already has two deals for the upcoming season: Franklin Sports Inc. and its “Natural II” batting gloves and 3N2’s baseball and softball footwear and apparel.

3N2 president Marty Graham told me his company never could have afforded to hire Braun before his suspension, but jumped at the opportunity after Nike dropped him.

“Let’s face it — he’s made mistakes,” Graham said. “Obviously we’re working toward the future. We understand a lot of trust needs to be re-earned by Ryan.”
Franklin Sports executives are working with Braun because they view him as one of the best hitters in baseball, said Adam Franklin, director of e-commerce and marketing.

“Everyone deserves a second chance and while we do not condone what happened, we believe that Ryan will be a valuable asset to the Brewers this season,” Franklin said.

Braun will need to start small with underdog brands like 3N2 as he attempts to rebuild his cache, said Dany Berghoff, vice president of sponsorships at the Paley Center for Media in New York City and an expert on athlete endorsement deals.

The key will be for Braun to perform well on the field and stay clean in his drug tests, Berghoff said.

“It’s going to take a real sustained effort by him,” Berghoff said. “I don’t think he’s tainted goods forever.”


(bizjournals.com)

In the two separate sessions in which Ryan Braun met the media in Milwaukee since he was suspended in late July, he fielded many of the same questions about when, why and how he was connected to Biogenesis, as well as many of the same queries about the reaction he expects to receive from fans here and on the road.

The answers to all of those questions were uniform, if not somewhat evasive, but it was interesting that Braun had to remind everyone that he's played under this type of cloud before.

And he did it well.

After the overturned suspension in the winter of 2011 and the now-infamous spring training rant, Braun arguably put up a better season than his MVP-winning campaign the year before.

Now, some will point to last year's underwhelming performance through 61 games before his suspension – without question the worst output of his seven-year career – as a "real" predictor for how 2014 will go for Braun.

I'm not sure about that. He was placed on the disabled list in early June with a thumb injury, and wasn't activated until a month later. This came after he suffered a neck injury right at the start of the season that forced him to miss games.

It's fair to wonder if Braun's body will hold up, or why it's breaking down in his late 20s. He's had his share of nagging injuries throughout his career, and his statement explaining why he used performance enhancing drugs said he did so to overcome one late in 2011.

But he said he used his "extended offseason" to get healthy, and so far so good in spring training.

"I think I'll be better than I've ever been," he said about his return to the field in 2014. "I'm very confident in that."

If his early production in Arizona is true indication of his health, and his ability, it's fair for Brewers fans to expect numbers similar to 2012. Braun led the league in runs, home runs, OPS and total bases that year while recording the second highest hit total of his career (191), the second most RBI (112), stolen bases (30) while also walking the most times in his career (63).

As for the suspension, and being caught in a lie, Braun's message has been pretty consistent. And he aims for his play to be consistent in 2014, too.

"I deeply regret it. I wish I can change it," he said. "I recognize I don't have that opportunity to do that so all I can do is focus on the present, focus on the future, look forward to this year and go out there and do the things that I've done in the past and hopefully be one of the best players in the game and show them that I learned from my mistake, that I've grown from it, that I've learned from it and that hopefully I've become a better person because of it."

He got married this offseason, and says that "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. So from that perspective, it's been beautiful."

I can't begin to tell you how important that is to a professional athlete.

These guys are real people with real people issues – the illnesses and deaths of family and friends, the birth of children, personal and professional squabbles that can put you in a bad mood. The difference is their job is for all of us to see and judge. And, depending on their status on the team, any carryover can cost them not only their job, but their career.

The fact that Braun feels this good mentally, and seems to be healthy physically, are good predictors for a return to his norm on the field.

That's not to say there won't be challenges, specifically on defense. Sort of lost in all of the news around his extended break was the fact the team asked him to change positions.

"They just asked if I would be open to it and I said absolutely," Braun said of his move to right field. "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, a certain direction, right-handers and left-handers, the ball slices a specific direction and in right field it'll be completely opposite. In Arizona I'll have plenty of time to get my work in and it's something I look forward to. I expect it to be challenging for sure."

Braun believes tracking fly balls in Miller Park will be easier in right with fewer shadows and lighting issues through the glass panes around the ballpark, but sometimes a player can have troubles at the plate, or in the field, crossover to other parts of their game.

Even if he misplays some fly balls or line drives, I doubt that will be the case with Braun – but it bears watching. Even the most confident of players can press if things go poorly.

But as he's often said, not much about the rest of "this" – the fans booing and the media questioning – is new for him. He performed once before with that pressure. You have to expect that he will again.


(onmilwaukee.com)

Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun has agreed to his first endorsement deal since he was suspended for 65 games last season for violating Major League Baseball's anti-drug agreement.

Upstart baseball cleat manufacturer 3N2 said it will pay Braun a fraction of the price he was getting from Nike, which terminated his deal on Aug. 2, although specific terms were not disclosed.

3N2 president Marty Graham told ESPN.com that the company contacted Braun's representatives that day to talk about a possible deal. Things got more serious when Braun tried on the shoes, and he's been wearing them throughout spring training.

"We believe in Ryan," Graham said. "We've all made mistakes, and we're all human beings. Our country is about second chances."

Sports-market tracking firm SportsOneSource says that 3N2 has 0.2 percent market share of the roughly $220 million U.S. baseball cleat market behind the likes of industry leaders Nike, Under Armour, Mizuno, adidas and New Balance. Graham says that because smaller, independent distributors aren't as well tracked, the company believes it has closer to a 2 percent share.

As of December, Braun -- who lost $3.3 million in salary as a result of the suspension -- was known by 25 percent of U.S. consumers, according to the Davie Brown Index. The DBI data reflects that Braun's appeal among consumers is in line with those of Donald Trump and Dennis Rodman, and his endorsement value currently ranks with Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds.

"With this being Ryan's first announced endorsement since all of the negative publicity hit, it better be airtight and really authentic," said Matt Delzell, managing director of celebrity talent The Marketing Arm, which owns the DBI.

Graham doesn't think there's any risk for his company in backing Braun.

"We're very honest," Graham said. "We're not Nike or Under Armour, who do cleats and products across a variety of categories. This is who we are. Once Ryan has the year we think he is going to have, much of the past will be water under the bridge."

3N2 isn't the only company that will give Braun new life in 2014. Nike's termination opened up the chance to get not only a new shoe brand but also a new batting glove. An official with Franklin says Braun will get paid to wear the company's "Natural II" line this season.

"He is one of the best players in the game and definitely will be out to prove himself this year," said Adam Franklin, the company's director of e-commerce.
In September, in the midst of his suspension, Braun's name was taken off a restaurant in Milwaukee that bore his name.

Braun was suspended 50 games for being a first-time offender in the drug program and 15 more games for conduct detrimental to the investigation into his role with the Biogenesis clinic scandal.


(espn.com)

With Alex Rodriguez suspended for the season, I'm not sure there is a more hated active player right now than Ryan Braun. He served a 65-game suspension for his ties to Biogenesis last year, but not before beating a failed performance-enhancing drug test in an appeal during the 2011-12 offseason and dragging several people through the mud along the way.

The boos and nasty chants have already started in spring training, but Braun told Bob Nightengale of USA Today they don't bother him:

"Dude, say what you want about me, but I am strong,'' Braun says in an exclusive interview with USA TODAY Sports. "Mentally, and emotionally, I am strong.

"This doesn't bother me. People may have something new to yell now, but it's really no different than anything I've gone though. I've never gone to Chicago and had them cheer for me. I've never gone to St. Louis and had them say, "I hope you do great.' Nobody's fans have ever cheered for the opposing team's best player.

"I'm sure it will be a bit adventuresome at times this year, but if anything, it's probably better now. Normally, you go to Philly and Chicago, and they're talking about your mom, your sister, your girlfriend, whatever. So, now, it will be just about me.''

Braun, 30, is 7 for 11 with two doubles, two homers, three walks and one strikeout in six spring training games so far. He heard "M-V-P-E-D" chants earlier this spring according to Nightengale -- I applaud the creativity -- and is regularly heckled not just while at the plate, but while in the field and the on-deck circle as well.

Still, Braun is not concerned about what he hears from the fans because he can't control it. He is focused on getting back to being one of the best players in the world.

"I'm one of the league leaders in confidence,'' says Braun, who is hitting .636 this spring with two homers. "If I perform like I've always done, I'll be one of the best players in this game. I don't need any added motivation of drama at work.

"I'll just let my work speak for itself, as every artist should.''

An artist, huh? No, I would not say confidence is a problem for Braun at this point.


(cbsports.com)

Phoenix — Maybe Ryan Braun isn’t into spring training numbers. But this hot start does mean something.

“I think it’s important,” manager Ron Roenicke said. “We’re not surprised. He can hit. He’s just one of those gifted guys that can sit out a long time. He doesn’t need a lot of at-bats at spring training. He can hit.”

Braun’s sizzling spring continued Wednesday in Milwaukee’s 7-2 win over the Oakland Athletics.

With a single and a home run, he is now 6 for 7 in Cactus League play with two homers.

Not many players can shake off the rust this fast, Roenicke said. Thinking back, the manager mentioned Garret Anderson as one such player. Whatever it is, he’ll take it. Milwaukee’s embattled slugger is in a groove.

“I don’t know if it’s just hand-eye coordination,” Roenicke said. “I don’t know if it’s confidence. It’s probably a combination. But they’re not like everybody else. They don’t struggle so much.”

Milwaukee broke ahead with five runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

Mitch Haniger (2 for 2) and Martin Maldonado (double) had two RBI apiece.


(jsonline.com)

The Milwaukee Brewers are counting on Ryan Braun for a lot as he returns to the team from his PED suspension in 2013. They need him to anchor the lineup with his usual MVP level numbers while navigating the problems with his public perception so that he can return to being their face of the franchise.
That’s a lot to ask, and it might be too much to ask of Braun in one season, but there is another thing that he has to deal with this season: a switch from left field to right field.

As Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com notes, Braun has his work cut out for him this spring, and he knows it:

Of greater importance to the Brewers, he’s also making positive strides at his new position. Braun is moving from left field to right field this season to make room for Khris Davis, who hit .288 during the 65 games that Braun sat out in 2013 after being suspended in MLB’s Biogenesis investigation.

‘I’m trying to squeeze a whole semester’s worth of work into one month,’ Braun said.”

This is not the first position switch in Braun’s career. He was an abomination as a big league third baseman in his rookie season, which prompted the move to the outfield in the first place. Braun adjusted well and became a solid left fielder, something that should show that he can make this switch to right field comfortably.

(fansided.com)

PHOENIX — Ryan Braun ignored loud boos in his home spring debut, producing a single and a walk as a Milwaukee Brewers split squad beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-5 Saturday.

Braun’s first at-bat at Maryvale Baseball Park was met with a vocal and extended chorus of boos, especially from the third-base side loaded with a large contingent of Dodgers fans.

Braun walked and scored on a single by Carlos Gomez. In the third, Brewers fans on the first-base side tried to drown out the boos with a louder round of cheers before his infield single.

The former NL MVP was suspended for the final 65 games of the season last year for his role in the Biogenesis drug scandal. Braun homered Thursday in his first at-bat of exhibition play at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, home of the Oakland A’s.

“He’s dealt with (the boos) before. It’s not new,” Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said. “Today was nothing new.”

Yasiel Puig knocked in a run with a deep sacrifice fly to right-center field in the second. The Dodgers went without a hit until Dee Gordon led off the fifth with a bunt single.

Milwaukee starter Kyle Lohse threw two perfect innings.

“He locates all his pitches so well and he’s usually down in the zone,” Roenicke said. “He understands when you need to go after someone and when you should try to make them chase.”

Los Angeles starter Dan Haren allowed a run and three hits over two innings in his Dodgers debut.


(sheboyganpress.com)

MILWAUKEE - Ryan Braun sent a statement to critics by homering in his first at-bat of spring training Thursday.

Braun hit a two-run homer off Oakland A's starter Tommy Milone in the first inning, helping propel the Brewers to an 11-3 win in their Cactus Leagu opener.

Braun received some boos in his second at-bat. Juan Francisco homered twice for the Brewers.


(cbs58.com)

Phoenix – Finally, Cactus League play is upon us.

Three games kick off the slate in the Phoenix area today, with the Milwaukee Brewers opening up tomorrow afternoon against the Oakland A's at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

"It's quick this year, so it's not like in the past where you have eight full days with your squad and you're looking to get it going," manager Ron Roenicke said. "We're trying to make sure that we're getting everything in before we start these games."

Roenicke has his lineups mapped out for each of the Brewers' two games Thursday and Friday, but will already have to do some shuffling around on Saturday with split-squad games in Maryvale against the Los Angeles Dodgers and at the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"We have some guys on the minor-league side we're going to borrow," he said.

Roenicke did say he expects Ryan Braun to play tomorrow, "unless he tells me he's not ready," and said Matt Garza will make his first start for the Brewers on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.


(jsonline.com)

Phoenix — Ryan Braun is going to have his hands full this season.

The fallout from his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal last year will likely be unrelenting. Throw in a move from left to right field, and Braun is going to be challenged on the baseball field like never before.

"I haven't really been out there a whole lot," said Braun when asked about the switch. "I guess everything that I'm accustomed to in left field will be opposite in right field. So, I don't anticipate it necessarily being easy, but it's just, most importantly, getting used to reading the ball off the bat."

The emergence of Braun's replacement, Khris Davis, down the stretch last season helped set Braun's move in motion.

With the Brewers eager to give Davis more playing time in 2014, and Davis limited to playing left field because of his throwing arm, talk of moving Braun to right began early in the off-season. It became a reality in December when Milwaukee traded Norichika Aoki to Kansas City, with Braun communicating his willingness to make such a shift beforehand.

Manager Ron Roenicke revealed last week that thoughts of moving Braun to right actually surfaced in his first year as Brewers manager in 2011. It didn't happen, though, and Braun went on to win the National League Most Valuable Player in left field while Corey Hart remained in right.

"That's never an easy decision," Roenicke said. "Usually, when you see that good a defensive outfielder and he can throw, you think of him as a rightfielder. I kept asking, 'Are more balls in baseball hit to left field or right field?' Because that's where you want your best fielder, right?

"From what I gathered, it was pretty consistent to both fields, so I didn't think there was a need to move him at that time."

Position switches aren't foreign to Braun, who was a shortstop in college and played third base through his first major-league season with the Brewers in 2007 before being switched to left. Braun improved to the point where he was a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2011 and '12, but rated out as slightly above average according to the metrics over the course of his six seasons there.

Scouting reports and video helped him make that initial transition.

"I felt in left field the thing that helped me most was taking balls live during batting practice, really getting used to the way the ball comes off the bat (from) right-handed hitters, left-handed hitters," Braun said.

"I'm starting to figure out how our pitchers approach hitters, paying attention to scouting reports and having an idea of where I'm going to play when positioning myself in right field."

Braun's arm isn't the cannon possessed by prototype major-league rightfielders, but he can make up for that with great accuracy. His athleticism also should be plenty good for the position.

"Ryan has the ability to play center field — he's an athlete," said Brewers Gold Glove centerfielder Carlos Gomez. "He used to be an infielder. I don't think he's going to feel (the move) at all."

What's likely to cause Braun the most issues early on are the nuances of the position —getting reads off the bat, taking precise routes to the ball and dealing with caroms off the wall. Right-center field in Miller Park can be especially tricky due to the large cutout just to the left of a large patio area.

In order to better deal with all that, Braun might play deeper to start, which will allow him to get comfortable reading the ball off the bat and cover less ground going back on balls. Aoki, by comparison, played a deep right in each of his two seasons with the Brewers.

"It won't be that easy a transition, even though he's a very good leftfielder," said Roenicke, who himself played all three outfield positions during his big-league career.

"It's different when the ball turns the other way, and for so many years it always goes to the line. Now it goes the other way. But I think he'll do fine. You can't hit fungoes right-handed that way and hook it. So you have to play games. There's going to be some plays that he turns the wrong way. But he's a good enough athlete.

"I'm hoping with time that he'll be really good out there."

With full-squad workouts having just begun, Braun will have roughly six weeks as well as a month's worth of games to get himself acclimated. In past springs, Braun, like most veterans, played sparingly early before ramping things up toward the end of camp.

That could change this year, however.

"We haven't really discussed it too much yet, so I don't really know what the plan is," Braun said. "Most importantly, it's about getting reps, whether that's in batting practice or in games, possibly going and playing in minor-league games where I can be an all-time defender, which would be new for me.

"The more reps I can get in right field over the next six weeks, the more beneficial it will be to me as the season starts."

Because of an early-season neck strain, a right thumb contusion, a four-game leave for a family medical issue and then his 65-game suspension, Braun's offensive numbers were his lowest for his career — a .298 average, nine home runs, 38 RBI and a .498 slugging percentage.

Braun has been utilizing padding on the handles of his bats and in his batting gloves to try to prevent a repeat of the thumb issue, which led to a three-week stint on the disabled list.

If he's able to stay healthy, Braun will once again hit third in a lineup that, when healthy, will contain plenty of pop from top to bottom.

Just being back on a baseball field — challenges or not — has Braun in a good frame of mind.

"It's great. It's exciting," he said. "Obviously, I've had a lot of downtime with my extended off-season. I'm certainly excited to be back, excited to be in Arizona, excited to meet my new teammates, looking forward to the challenge of learning a new position.

"I'm just excited to be back to playing baseball."

(jsonline.com)

Phoenix -- Ryan Braun remained in "look forward, not back" mode Thursday as he rejoined his Brewers teammates in the clubhouse for the first time since serving a season-ending, 65-game suspension for PED use.

"I'm excited to be back, excited to be in Arizona, excited to meet my new teammates, looking foward to the challenge of learning a new position, just excited to be back playing baseball," Braun told reporters after checking in to Maryvale Baseball Park.

As he did in two off-season media opportunities, including the "Brewers On Deck" fan festival, Braun deflected all questions about the Biogenesis investigation, exactly what he did and why.

"I've addressed that a couple times already in multiple press conferences, and I got pretty specific with exactly what happened and when it happened," he said. "I took responsibility for the mistake that I made and for me my focus is on this year and moving forward and learning a new position and getting ready for the season."

It was the first time that a sizable number of members from the national media had a chance to ask Braun questions and many were asked about his PED use. But he made it clear that he has said all he is going to say about that sordid chapter of his life and he is ready to move on.

"The best answer I can give you is I made a mistake," he said. "I've said multiple times that I wish I had the ability to go back and change things, do things differently. Unfortunately, I don't have that opportunity. I embrace the challenge that lies ahead. I know it won't be easy but I intend to do everything in my power to continue to be the best person and player I can be.

"I made a mistake. I deserved to be suspended. I took full responsibility for my actions and as I've said many, many times, all I can do is look forward and continue to move forward."

Asked if he felt any pressure to show he can be what he was in the past -- both clean and dirty -- one of the best players in the game, Braun said, "I think I always put a lot of pressure on myself. My expectation is always to be one of the best players in baseball. I think over the first seven or eight years of my career, I've been able to do that.

"I dealt with a similar situation in 2012 and had my best year. So, that's certainly my goal and intention this year in coming back and focusing on the season."

As for acceptance in the clubhouse, Braun said, "Everybody has been extremely supportive and I appreciate that. Certainly, when everything first occurred there was some confusion because I wasn't allowed to say anything. It was an ongoing and active investigation, so because of that I couldn't really say anything. Aside from that, my relationship with everybody has been great and I don't anticipate any change moving forward."

Braun's troubles began when he failed an MLB drug test in October 2011 at the outset of the playoffs. He tested positive for synthetic testosterone but appealed the verdict and won on what turned into a chain-of-custody case.

Asked if that was the only time he took a banned substance, Braun said, "I've already addressed that multiple times. I think I was very specific in my statement (in August of last year). I've answered all of these questions at multiple press conferences. I appreciate the interest. I completely understand and respect that you guys have a job to do but for me it's counterproductive to continue to look back. All I can do is continue to look forward, move forward, continue to head in the right direction, focus on the season and get myself prepared to be the best player I can be."

Braun got the rough treatment from fans on the road last year and realizes it will be worse in 2014 after finally admitting to PED use and taking his suspension.
"I've dealt with it the last couple of years so I think I have some idea what to expect," he said. "But I never really waste my time focusing on things that are out of my control. All I can do is deal with things as they come, deal with things to the best of my ability and that's what I intend to do."

As for the time when he was suspended, Braun said, "It was challenging. It was difficult to be away from the game. It was disappointing for me to be away from my teammates and the sport I enjoy playing so much.

"There was no easy part. None of it was easy. There's no blueprint that this is how you deal with these things or handle the situation. Basically, I made a mistake, I made a big mistake. All I can try to do from it is learn, grow, become a better person and move forward."

The tone of the media session was much different from the formal, on-field session at Maryvale two springs ago when Braun came out verbally firing, attacking the MLB drug program, the urine specimen collector and maintaining his innocence. There has been much water under the bridge since then, mostly turbulent, and he regrets telling more lies that day.

"Certainly, I wish I hadn't done the press conference," he said. "I wish that I had known then what I know now. If I had, certainly I wouldn't have done it at all. It's a different tone this day than it was that day. Like I said, I wish I could go back and not do the press conference at all."


(jsonline.com)

(MILWAUKEE) --  As the 2014 MLB season inches closer, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun is excited and ready for a new chapter in his career.

Speaking at an offseason team event this weekend, Braun says he is constantly trying to make amends with fans and teammates following his 65-game suspension last year for violating Major League Baseball's anti-drug agreement.

"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 said.

The 2011 National League MVP made his first public appearance Sunday since admitting last year that he took performance-enhancing drugs; he accepted his suspension in late July.

In 61 games last season, Braun hit .298 with nine home runs and 38 RBIs.


(630wpro.com)

Referring to his suspension for using performance enhancing drugs as an “extended off-season,” Ryan Braun told reporters recently at a Fan Fest event that he is excited to be back with the Milwaukee Brewers for the 2014 season.

Discussing what it has been like to speak with fans again in anticipation of his return, Braun said the following:

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. I certainly didn’t anticipate the amount of support I received.”

In a bizarre twist, Braun said that he is looking forward to the pressure of getting heckled by opposing fans.


(fansided.com)

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."


(jsonline.com)

Ryan Braun will have his first big intermingling with Brewers fans since his suspension at the annual "Brewers On Deck" fan event on Sunday, Jan. 26, at the Wisconsin Center.

Braun will be among 28 players the club lists to attend along with manager Ron Roenicke, coaches, front office personnel, broadcasters -- including Bob Uecker -- and alumni, including Robin Yount, Rollie Fingers and Gorman Thomas.

Since his 65-game suspension at the end of last season for violations of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, Braun's only public appearance was in the team's Thanksgiving food drive.

This year there is free admission to the event, set to run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, and no tickets are required.

Food donations will be accepted through the Hunger Task Force at two main entrances to the Wisconsin Center, located at 4th Street and Wisconsin Avenue and 4th Street and Wells Street.


(mlb.com)

A lawsuit against Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun survived largely intact Wednesday when a Wisconsin judge said a former Braun associate may proceed with accusations of defamation, infliction of emotional distress and fraud.

Braun and his agents, Creative Artists Agency, had moved to dismiss the lawsuit filed in July by longtime Braun friend Ralph Sasson, 29, a law student.

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Paul R. Van Grunsven dismissed seven of the 12 counts but let stand Sasson's charges relating to defamation and libel, negligent infliction of emotional distress and fraudulent misrepresentation. Braun, a former National League MVP, served a 65-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy last season after he was connected to Biogenesis clinic founder Tony Bosch.

Sasson said he was contacted by Braun's agent, Nez Balelo, in November 2011 after Braun was notified that he had tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone. Part of his assignment, he said, was to conduct research on the man who collected Braun's urine sample, Dino Laurenzi Jr., to whom Braun later apologized.

Sasson accused Braun of violating a confidentiality agreement they signed after Sasson assisted with Braun's successful appeal of a positive steroid test in 2011. Sasson said Braun defamed him to mutual acquaintances, thus violating the agreement and causing emotional distress.

Reached Thursday, Sasson, who is representing himself, said he does not intend to settle the case. In a statement, he said, "While I am pleased with yesterday's outcome, it is merely a first step in the long and arduous process of holding Ryan Braun, Nez Balelo and Creative Artists Agency accountable for their fraudulent actions and flagrant misconduct. As such, my primary goal at this juncture is to avoid any procedural missteps and take this matter to trial."

A spokesman for Braun did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday.


(espn.com)

COMMENTARY | The Milwaukee Brewers' offseason has been the dullest form of dull, but at least Ryan Braun has been out of the spotlight.

Milwaukee is the only team in Major League Baseball that has yet to sign a free agent to a big league deal, and members of their fanbase are seriously debating amongst each other about who should start at first base between Juan Francisco, Sean Halton and Hunter Morris.

In case you didn't notice, first base remains an issue in Milwaukee.

However, the Brewers did execute a couple of trades, one of which led directly to the aforementioned Braun making the switch to right field. While we could also make the argument that Braun is the best left fielder in baseball, we can do the same for Braun in right -- here are five reasons why:

He's a former MVP
Among current MLB players that play right field, Ryan Braun is one of just three to win an MVP Award. The others are Ichiro, who can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and Josh Hamilton, who took a big step back in performance last season and plans to move back to left field in 2014.

Braun is still elite without PEDs
This facet remains a bit blurry, but what we know for sure is that Braun used performance-enhancing drugs during the 2011 season to help battle injury. There's no telling if Braun used PEDs again in 2012 and beyond, or at any point prior to 2011. But the 30-year-old still went on to have an MVP-caliber season in 2012 sans PEDs -- allegedly.

One would think Braun would be more careful following his positive test toward the end of the 2011 season, but who knows? We just know that Braun still managed to perform at a high level.

His all-around game
Remember when Braun played third base during his rookie season? Well, maybe you blocked that from memory, because it wasn't pretty. But ever since Braun moved to the outfield, his defense has become a strength rather than a liability.

We're not saying that Braun's defense is Gold Glove material, but he has a serviceable glove to go along with plus speed and the ability to hit for average and power, giving him a skill set that not many can match in baseball.

The clutch gene
Again, we can't be sure how much PEDs have boosted Braun's performance over the years, but one thing is for sure -- he isn't fazed by the spotlight. Braun comes through when it matters most.

He's the guy who put the Brewers in the playoffs back in 2008 with a 2-run home run on the final day of the regular season. He also wrapped up the NL Central in 2011 with another long ball. Those are just a few examples of Braun's ability to swing a game with one swing of the bat.

On top of being a great player, Braun also has the clutch gene, something that can't be undersold.

The competition
When it comes down to it, there isn't anyone besides Braun that can make a stronger case for being the best right fielder in baseball.

There is up-and-coming talent like Giancarlo Stanton, Yasiel Puig and Wil Myers, and mainstays like Hamilton, Carlos Beltran and Jay Bruce. Those first three names may soon be battling it out for the supreme right fielder in the game. But, for now, the crown belongs to Braun, who is in his prime and currently the best right fielder in baseball.


(sports.yahoo.com)

Ryan Braun's  former childhood and college friend, who is now suing the Milwaukee Brewers slugger for defamation, appeared in a Milwaukee courtroom Friday to argue why his lawsuit shouldn't be dismissed.

Ralph Sasson, a law student, appeared pro se -- acting as his own attorney -- against attorneys for Braun and and Creative Arts Agency, which represented Braun in business and contract deals,  who have asked that Circuit Judge Paul Van Grunsven dismiss Sasson's complaint.

The aspiring lawyer dressed and sounded the part, but it remains to be seen if his the substance of his efforts work hold up to more experienced attack.

"Mr. Sasson has pleaded himself out of court," said Stephen Kravit, attorney for CCA. He called Sasson's complaint confusing, and questioned how it could possibly find the agency liable for something Sasson concedes its employee had no authority to do -- pay Sasson for work he did on Braun's behalf while he was under investigation for using performance enhancing drugs, then sign a release.

Sasson, dressed in a dark suit and a yellow tie, argued that Onesimo Balelo acted in the "course and scope" of his employment, and that CAA should be liable under a theory of "respondeat superior."

"He's just plain wrong," Kravit said.

Van Grunsven questioned Sasson why a key document -- the signed release - suggests he and Balelo signed it together before a notary in June, when it was actually signed in two different states before different notaries. Sasson tried to explain how documents were signed and sent between Milwaukee and California.

Sasson claims that after he and Balelo signed a release that neither side would speak poorly of the other, Sasson destroyed documents potentially damaging to Braun, but Braun then spoke ill of him to mutual friends and acquaintances.

Kravit asked that if Van Grunsven does not dismiss the complaint, he at least make Sasson re-plead his case with more particularity. "We need to plead to something, and this is a big mess," Kravit said.

Braun's California attorney, Jeremiah Reynolds, said Sasson engaged in the unlicensed practice of law in drawing up the settlement agreement and release.  "His attempt to enforce the non-disparagement clause is unenforceable," Reynolds said.

Reynolds also said Sasson's claims that Braun's supposedly defamatory statements - that Sasson had been rude to staff at Miller Park, and was crazy -- were not actionable and did not fit into the exceptions Sasson claims.

Sasson called Reynolds' unlicensed practice argument "a shining example of frivolousness,"  and explained why what he did would not run afoul of Wisconsin's unlicensed legal practice law.

Toward the end of the hearing, Van Grunsven asked Sasson to explain "in three sentences or less," his additional claim of action under "quantum meruit," a theory of recovery for services under an implied contract.

Sasson said he added the claim because if the contract is found not to be valid, he has no other recourse to seek compensation for destroying documents worth more than $1 million.

Sasson "humbly and respectfully" asked for yet another chance to amend his complaint, but Van Grunsen said the record on the motions to dismiss was closed, and that he would issue a decision next month.


(jsonline.com)

The U.K.'s Daily Mail has 'em! Wedding photos of Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun and Larisa Fraser — obviously shot through a telephoto lens at great length by a paparazzi spy. But they're online for your viewing pleasure.

Braun and Fraser got married in Malibu, Calif. on Saturday, which surely is a sign that things have turned around for Braun, who has finished his 65-game suspension related to the Biogenesis investigation.

Fraser actually had a sweet post on her blog about gettin' hitched:

Earlier Thursday, the Brewers dealt outfielder Norichika Aoki to the Royals, and as a result they'll shift slugger Ryan Braun from left field to Aoki's former primary position of right field. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tweets that manager Ron Roenicke will soon finalize the move with Braun.

Braun was a third baseman coming up through the minors and during his rookie season, so he has some arm strength. He was shifted to left field prior to the 2008 season, and his advanced numbers at the position show a general trend of improvement over the years.

Braun, 30, is coming off a 2013 season in which he batted .298/.372/.498 with nine home runs in 253 at-bats. Braun missed the final 65 games of the season because of a Biogenesis-related suspension. For his career, he owns an OPS+ of 146. Braun led the NL in homers in 2012 and was named NL MVP in 2011.


(cbssports.com)

As noted earlier, Ryan Braun participated in a charity food drive today and afterward spoke to the media. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has a transcript of his comments here.

If you’re looking for frank talk and Braun falling on his sword you’re not going to get it. There’s a lot of “let’s just look to the future and learn from our mistakes” stuff that never satisfies anyone. But he did mention one thing of note:

Have you apologized to Dino Laurenzi, Jr., or made any payments to him?

“I have not made any payments to him. I’ve had some really productive and positive conversations with him. The Laurenzi family was actually gracious and kind enough to have my fiancée Larisa and I over to their house for dinner last night, and we had some really good conversation. We’ve made amends and I think we’re both excited to be able to move forward and put this behind us.”

The subject of Laurenzi –  the man who collected the urine sample from Braun in 2011 and around whose handling of the sample Braun based his ultimately successful appeal — has long been one around which Braun-haters have rallied. It started when Braun made mention of Laurenzi — though not by name — at his spring 2012 press conference talking about the appeal of his drug suspension. Since then, people have accused Braun of ruining Laurenzi’s life, getting him fired, slandering him and number of other things which have served to destroy or harm the guy.

And, to be clear: Braun was wrong to say anything public about Laurenzi at all. But the characterization of what Braun did to or even said about Laurenzi has been so far over the top that it has become laughable. People have equated Braun to Lance Armstrong, who actually sued people and had them fired for opposing his lies. They’ve suggested that Braun is legally liable to Laurenzi, when there is no rational basis for a defamation case as a result of what he said. They’ve said that Braun should pay the guy reparations of some non-specific sort. Penance for a man against whom Braun has sinned.  It’s all been way too much.

I think people did this because in Laurenzi they had a victim of sorts. Or thought they did. An actual person they could use to cast PED users’ transgressions in concrete and horrible terms. This was irresistible given how hard it is to argue about the often gray area ethics and morals of PED-use in sports and how hard it is to keep consistent when slamming some baseball players for cheating in one way but not slamming others for cheating in other ways.  But a real human victim of an evil-doing steroid user? Who can argue against that?

Well, It seems Laurenzi himself can. If Braun is right, the past is the past. If Laurenzi’s silence for the past couple of years is any indication, the whole situation, however unpleasant it may have been, was not the stuff of outrage and legal action. A jerk lied about him publicly, but his life went on. And now he has found it within himself to break bread with the guy and have dinner.

Maybe that doesn’t satisfy everyone. Maybe we’ll hear commentary later today suspecting that Braun manipulated Laurenzi into helping Braun with a shameful P.R. offensive. For my part, though, I’m willing to say that this is all over if the people actually involved in it all are saying it.


(hardballtalk.com)

Embattled Brewers slugger Ryan Braun spoke Wednesday for the first time publicly since being suspended for the remainder (65 games) of the 2013 season, saying that he is "deeply remorseful" and continually expressing sorrow about the situation.

Braun was in Milwaukee Wednesday to help the Hunger Task Force (via CBS58) collect food for needy families for this holiday season. During this collection, Braun took some time to answer questions about his situation.

He wouldn't, however, answer specific questions about why he "lied about PED use" or other specific accusations. He instead just focused on broadly saying things like, "I regret it all."

Here's the footage of the interview:



A major disclosure in the interview came when Braun said that he and his fiancee had dinner with Dino Lauranzi and his family Tuesday night. One might recall that Lauranzi is the sample collector who Braun initially successfully argued that Lauranzi had improperly handled his sample for drug testing and that's what caused the spike in testosterone levels.

Braun noted the two families have "made amends" and have put the situation behind them.

As for the press conference in spring training when Braun spoke out about his innocence, he did say he wishes he had never done that press conference and regrets having done so.

He does, however, believe things can turn around.

"I think a positive can arise from any situation," Braun said.


(cbssports.com)

Ryan Braun told manager Ron Roenicke earlier this week that he'd be open to the idea of moving to right field.
The idea behind the switch would be opening left field for Khris Davis, whose arm isn't strong enough to play regularly in right field, but whose bat is critical to the Brewers lineup. At the same time though, it would create a logjam in the outfield, and could lead to lesser playing time or a trade involving incumbent right fielder Norichika Aoki.


(rotoworld.com)

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News has it on "good authority" that the Brewers are not looking to trade Ryan Braun right now.
Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog.com passed along word Wednesday that the Brewers would be open to trading Braun (possibly in a deal to the Mets for Ike Davis) and would be willing to cover some of his salary in order to do it, but the scenario doesn't appear to have any legs. The embattled outfielder is still owed $113 million over the next seven seasons.


(rotoworld.com)

The Milwaukee Brewers want to move OF Ryan Braun to right field to protect themselves if OF Khris Davis fails in left field. It's generally easier to find left fielders than right fielders.





(kffl.com)

A public relations firm hired by Alex Rodriguez leaked documents to Yahoo! Sports in February linking Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun and Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli to the Biogenesis doping ring, according to documents filed by Major League Baseball in Manhattan Supreme Court Tuesday.

In its petition for an order compelling Michael S. Sitrick, owner of the Sitrick & Company P.R. firm, to comply with a subpoena in the arbitration between MLB and Rodriguez, baseball contends that Rodriguez obtained documents that “had been maintained by (Biogenesis owner Anthony) Bosch ...for the purpose of preventing MLB from obtaining those records and from uncovering evidence of Rodriguez’s use and possession of prohibited substances.”

The petition went on to say that MLB has a “good faith basis” to believe that Rodriguez or others acting on his behalf provided records to Sitrick & Company implicating Braun, Cervelli and others claiming they had received performance-enhancing substances from Bosch. The public relations firm then provided the information to Yahoo! Sports, the court papers said.

MLB’s filings noted that CBS’ 60 Minutes reported on its website in August that members of Rodriguez’s inner circle had obtained and leaked the Bosch records to Yahoo! Sports.

“It is our intention to work it out,” said Sitrick's attorney, J. Michael Hennigan of McKool Smith Hennigan. “Mr. Sitrick wants to cooperate to the extent that he can.”

The assertions in MLB’s court papers directly contradict claims by a spokesman for Rodriguez, who said last week that the embattled superstar did not attempt to obstruct MLB’s Biogenesis investigation by purchasing evidence.

he Players Association, acting as Rodriguez’s representative, agreed heading into the arbitration that Rodriguez would share any documents and information regarding his attempts to obtain Biogenesis records with MLB, the court papers say. The union, however, has told MLB that it was unable to produce the documents provided to Sitrick. The Supreme Court petition is an attempt to compel Sitrick to appear at Rodriguez’s appeal of his 211-game suspension with copies of the documents baseball says it believes are relevant to its case against Rodriguez.

“To date, MLB has received neither responsive documents from Sitrick & Co., nor an affidavit from Mr. Sitrick certifying that he and the company has or ever had the documents in question,” according to the petition. “The testimony of Mr. Sitrick is necessary to establish whether Rodriguez or his representatives have or had documents relevant to MLB’s allegations in the arbitration in their possession and when these documents were obtained.”

The Daily News reported in April that Rodriguez had purchased Biogenesis records and other evidence in an attempt to keep them from MLB investigators. A-Rod’s spokesman, Ron Berkowitz, denied then that Rodriguez or a representative purchased evidence.

The News reported earlier this month that Rodriguez’s lawyers acknowledged during the appeal of his 211-game suspension that they had spent $305,000 on evidence.

Berkowitz first denied that report, but later admitted that the evidence had been purchased this month but said it was not an attempt to interfere with baseball’s Biogenesis investigation.

Berkowitz declined comment on Tuesday.

Meanwhile in U.S. District Court for the Southern District, MLB will ask Judge Lorna G. Schofield to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Rodriguez that accuses commissioner Bud Selig of mounting a "witch hunt" against the scandal-stained superstar by Nov. 8, according to a letter one of Rodriguez's lawyers sent to the court on Monday.

MLB attorneys will argue that the Labor Management Relations Act requires that Rodriguez's dispute with baseball should be addressed by an arbitrator as outlined by the sport's collective bargaining agreement, the letter from attorney Jordan Siev said.

Team A-Rod, meanwhile, will argue that under the act, the case belongs in New York state court, where it was originally filed on Oct. 3, before MLB moved it to federal court.

The suit says Selig and other MLB officials engaged in unethical and even criminal behavior against Rodriguez to “gloss over” their past inaction and tacit approval of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.

The court papers claim MLB officials conducted a "witch hunt" against Rodriguez to secure Selig's legacy as the "savior" of the national pastime. MLB called the lawsuit a "desperate attempt" to circumvent the appeals procedure outlined in the game’s Basic Agreement.


(nydailynews.com)

Ryan Braun dropped by Miller Park on Wednesday just to say hello to teammates he hadn't seen for nearly two months.

The Milwaukee Brewers slugger had not been at the ballpark since July 22, when he accepted a season-ending, 65-game suspension for evidence uncovered in a Major League Baseball investigation that he purchased performance-enhancing drugs from the notorious Biogenesis clinic.

"It was really nice to see him," said manager Ron Roenicke. "All the staff was happy to see him; the players were happy to see him. It was nice he came in."
Braun did not make himself available to the media, leaving before the Brewers held pregame batting practice. Though he's under suspension, Braun is allowed to be at the ballpark before games only. There was no indication he planned to answer questions from reporters before the final homestand ends Sunday night.

Unlike the day he was suspended, when Braun asked to address the team to give them the news, Roenicke said there was no formal clubhouse meeting.

"He just came in to visit," said Roenicke. "He told me awhile ago when we talked that he wanted to come in. He didn't want it to be a distraction. I told him it wouldn't be. So, he came in and I'm really glad he did.

"He looked good. I think all the guys were really happy to see him. He was just in to say hi. He misses the game and he misses the guys, so he wanted to come in and say hi."

Asked if Braun's visit was a one-shot deal, Roenicke said, "Maybe. It just depends. We don't have many games left. So, maybe just that one time."

Asked if he thought Braun would take questions from the media at some point, Roenicke said, "I don't know. I don't know when he's planning to go back.
"For me, he doesn't need to. He's made a statement (that's) enough for me. We need to move on with this. If he decides to, great. That's his decision. But, for me, he doesn't need to. He's already said what happened and what he needs to. That's fine with me and I'm sure it's fine with most of the players."

Right-hander Marco Estrada was surprised to see Braun in the clubhouse.

"I didn't think I'd see him anymore this season," said Estrada. "We talked for a few minutes. I asked how he was doing and he asked me the same. He seemed in good spirits. I'm sure he's dealing with a lot. We didn't talk about that stuff."

Roenicke said he had talked "off and on" over the phone with Braun just to stay in touch.

"It's important for the team to move on with things and for him, also. I know it's been difficult sitting at home and not to be part of this. But he really did not want this to be a distraction to us. So I think it was really good. I think it was great. No way was this a distraction."

Braun wasn't the only visitor to pop in. Corey Hart, who has been out all season after undergoing two knee surgeries, also showed up to catch up with teammates and staff.

Asked if seeing Braun and Hart makes him realize what the Brewers have missed, Roenicke said, "Yes. I really like these guys, too. Not only are they really great players but I really like them. They bring a lot to our team. They bring that atmosphere that when you go out there you know you have these two big horses to help."

Word first got out that Braun was in town earlier in the day when the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin posted photos on its Facebook page of him addressing the staff. Braun was the honorary chairman of the AIDS Walk Wisconsin in Milwaukee last year and met with staffers at ARCW and bought them lunch from Zaffiro's Pizza.

When he was suspended, Braun put out a brief and vague apology, then one month later a longer explanation that left many holes to be filled regarding his saga. As part of his apology process he also made personal phone calls to season-ticket holders, sponsors and suite holders.


(jsonline.com)

Suspended slugger Ryan Braun visited the Milwaukee Brewers for the first time since telling his teammates in July that he accepted a 65-game ban as a result of baseball's investigation into a Florida clinic accused of distributing performance-enhancing drugs.

''It was really nice to see him,'' Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Wednesday. ''He told me a while ago when we talked that he wanted to come in. He didn't want it to be a distraction. I told him it wouldn't be. So, he came in and I'm really glad he did.''

Roenicke said Braun just stopped by to say hello, there was no formal meeting.

''It's important for the team to move on with things and for him, also.'' Roenicke said. ''I know it's been difficult sitting at home and not to be part of this. But he really did not want this to be a distraction to us. So I think it was really good. I think it was great. No way was this a distraction.''

Braun did not talk to the media while he was at Miller Park.

Braun tested positive for elevated testosterone in October of his 2011 NL MVP season, but his 50-game suspension was overturned when an arbitrator ruled that the urine sample was mishandled.

He then agreed to the longer penalty July 22, becoming the first star to be suspended by Major League Baseball in the doping scandal involving the now-closed Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic.

Earlier Wednesday, the five-time All-Star visited the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin. Photos of his appearance were posted on the group's Facebook page, tipping off media that Braun was in Milwaukee.


(foxsports.com)

A former college classmate sued Ryan Braun, saying the Brewers slugger sought his help in fighting a failed drug test, balked on paying him and then disparaged him when asked why their friendship soured.

Ralph Sasson, a Milwaukee law student, said Braun's agent hired him in November 2011 to do legal research aimed at clearing Braun after the left fielder tested positive for steroid use. The agent later asked him to investigate the man who collected Braun's urine, Dino Laurenzi Jr., and Braun personally asked him to prank call two journalists working on a story about the failed test, according to the lawsuit filed last month in Milwaukee County court.

Braun was the first baseball player to successfully challenge a drug-related penalty in a grievance. He accepted a longer, 65-game suspension last month amid reports of ties to a Florida clinic accused of distributing performance-enhancing drugs to major leaguers but did not publicly admit using banned drugs.
Sasson said the initial deal called for him to be paid $2,000 for his research and $5,000 if Braun was exonerated. But Braun and his agent, Onesimo Balelo, balked at paying him the full amount after a baseball arbitrator overturned the left fielder's 50-game suspension in February 2012. Sasson eventually got paid, but he said his relationship with Braun soured and the baseball player lied when asked why.

"Braun has engaged in advancing the proposition that the reason for his falling out with Sasson was because Sasson had been rude to staff at Miller Park; Braun had received word that complaints had been filed due to Sasson's abhorrent behaviour; that Sasson had "acted like an ass"; and that Sasson is crazy," the lawsuit says.

It seeks more than $10,000 for defamation and emotional distress.

"This lawsuit is an unfortunate attempt to capitalize on Ryan's recent press attention for taking responsibility for his actions," Braun's attorney, Howard Weitzman, said in an email to The Associated Press during the weekend. "The factual allegations are untrue and the legal claims have absolutely no merit. We believe the lawsuit will be dismissed."

Weitzman had no further comment Monday.

According to his lawsuit, Sasson and Braun had been friends since junior high school and attended the University of Miami together. Sasson said Balelo did not mention Braun's name when he initially hired Sasson, but Sasson believed the player he was working to clear was his friend because there was no reason otherwise for an agent of Balelo's stature to call "a law student with very little practical experience."

Sasson said Braun later confirmed he was the player who failed the drug test.

The law student said he wrote a legal brief on the matter and then, at Balelo's request, ran a background check on Laurenzi. Braun's initial suspension was overturned after the outfielder's supporters showed Laurenzi collected the sample on a Saturday but did not send it to the lab until Monday.

Baseball's drug agreement states that "absent unusual circumstances, the specimens should be sent by FedEx to the laboratory on the same day they are collected."


(cbc.ca)

ESPN baseball writer Buster Olney lists nine "dates to circle" for the 2014 Major League Baseball season and high on his list is March 31 when the Brewers open their season at Miller Park against the Braves.

"Everybody will be watching and listening to see what the reaction will be to the all-star leftfielder, who will be playing his first game since serving a 65-game suspension this year. Rest assured: It will be mixed, with a lot of Brewers fans cheering him."

You do wonder what the local fan reaction to Braun's return from banishment will be.

Not so much the cheers, which as Olney says will be there. But the level of jeers.


(jsonline.com)

GREEN BAY – Although Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has been calling some of the team’s season ticketholders and apologizing to them for his suspension for his involvement with the Biogenesis scandal and his use of performance-enhancing substances, his one-time friend Aaron Rodgers has not received one of those calls.

The Green Bay Packers quarterback said so on his weekly radio show on 540 ESPN and ESPNWisconsin.com Tuesday afternoon.

“I haven't gotten one of those calls,” Rodgers said.

Asked if that was disappointing to him, Rodgers replied simply, “No.”

After news of Braun’s 65-game suspension broke, Rodgers was asked about their relationship on the opening day of training camp, July 26.

"I was shocked, I really was, just like many of you were,” Rodgers told a throng of reporters at his locker after the first practice of camp. “I was backing up a friend who looked me in the eye on multiple occasions and repeatedly denied these allegations, said they weren't true.

"So, it is disappointing, not only for myself as a friend, but for obviously Wisconsin sports fans, Brewer fans, Major League Baseball fans. It doesn't feel great being lied to like that and I'm disappointed about the way it all went down."

Asked then if Braun has reached out to him, Rodgers replied, “Yeah, I’ve talked to him.”

At the time, Rodgers wouldn’t address how the turn of events will affect their friendship or the Milwaukee-area restaurant 8-Twelve, which they are both involved with. However, he certainly didn’t rule out the possibility of ending his business association with Braun

“That’s yet to be determined yet,” Rodgers replied. “I don’t regret backing a friend up. Obviously, in hindsight, a more measured approach next time would obviously be the better course of action.”

Last week, SURG Restaurant Group announced that it was ending its relationship with Braun and that 8-Twelve would be renamed. Ryan Braun's Graffito Restaurant will stay open until the end of the year "to honor its pre-existing obligations to its customers and employees" before being shuttered, the group had said.

Michael Polaski, CEO and co-owner of SURG Restaurant Group, said in making the announcement that Rodgers will continue his relationship with SURG with a focus on community relations and charitable activities.

Asked Tuesday if he was talking with punter Tim Masthay, who wears No. 8 for the Packers, to replace Braun as a restaurant partner, Rodgers suggested Milwaukee Bucks player Larry Sanders, who also wears No. 8.

“He just signed an extension,” Rodgers joked, referring to Sanders’ recent $44 million deal. “I'm very happy for my Bucks there.”

According to SURG, however, the restaurant in the Milwaukee suburb of Brookfield will be renamed. A second 8-Twelve location, set to open at Bayshore Town Center, will still open but when and under what name has yet to be decided.


(espn.com)

Ryan Braun may not be able to play baseball due to his 65-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s drug policy, but he was still working this weekend on a Habitat for Humanity project in Sylmar, Calif. Braun who accepted his suspension in July, was helping build housing for veterans.





(nydailynews.com)

MILWAUKEE (WITI) — The Milwaukee Brewers confirm that outfielder Ryan Braun was calling season ticket holders on Thursday, September 5th to apologize for his actions involving performance enhancing drugs.

The fans being called were 20-game season ticket holders, season ticket holders and some individual ticket holders. Team officials say Braun will not be calling everyone.

The idea of calling Brewers fans was apparently Braun’s entirely. He approached the team about a week ago and officials gave him the list of names and numbers to call. The team did not give Braun any kind of script from which to read.

“It was Ryan’s idea, and his initiative.  He reached out to us and said he wanted to call season seat-holders and some fans.  We said great.  We gave him some names and the contact information for some full season and partial season seat-holders, individual ticket purchasers.  We didn’t give him a script.  We didn’t tell him what to say or what he should say.  He said ‘I’ll go from there.’  He’s obviously started calling and started having some direct one-on-one conversations with fans.  I suspect it might have taken a little bit of time for some of the fans to realize it was really Ryan Braun instead of an imposter, but I think he’s started those calls and he’ll keep making calls,” Brewers Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger said.

Some fans receiving the calls from Braun don’t believe it is the Brewers outfielder — so it’s apparently taking a few moments for Braun to establish that fact with each caller.

“The feedback that we’ve gotten, again, they were initially skeptical that it was Ryan.  When they realized that it was, they respected the fact that he reached out and was talking to them.  I think, you know, regardless of how you feel about Ryan or what he needs to do, I think, you know, they’re going to respect him doing this.  And again, he doesn’t know what the response is going to be on the other end of that phone call.  He may be calling a season seat-holder that may just find him, you know, his conduct so unacceptable that he will never forgive him.  He may hear that on the phone.  I think Ryan understands that, you know, he is calling blind and is expecting a whole range of emotions and reactions.  I think even the fans that are very upset have said that they respect what he’s doing. And again, it doesn’t mean that one phone call cures all ills.  But again, for him to reach out is, I think,  at least an indication that he understands the depth of the effort that is needed to redeem himself, and he respects that the personal touch is important and necessary,” Schlesinger added.

Schlesinger told FOX6 News he feels Braun knows rebuilding his reputation among Brewers fans and Wisconsin sports fans is going to be a very long process.

“I don’t want to speculate, because I haven’t personally talked with Ryan about his next steps or his next plans.  But I do think Ryan understands that this is Wisconsin.  The connection that the fans have to the sports teams and their athletes is very personal.  You know, I think fans expect a lot of the sports teams that they support, and they expect a lot of the players that they admire and root for.  And when the trust is damaged, it’s a personal thing for a lot of fans.  I think Ryan understands that Wisconsin is different than most states.  Brewers fans are very intense Brewers fans, very loyal fans.  You know, I think he knows that it’s a long process.  And that process is going to take a lot of different forms.  But I don’t have a lot of information on next steps or specifics other that I do, I’m confident that Ryan understands that there’s many things he needs to do,” Schlesinger said.

Major League Baseball announced on July 22nd Braun was suspended, effective immediately, without pay for the rest of the season, and Braun is accepting the penalty. There was no appeal.

Braun didn’t look like he could be stopped during the 2011 season, leading the Brewers to the National League Championship Series, and claiming the National League’s Most Valuable Player award.

However, in December of that year, a report of Braun testing positive for performance enhancing drugs surfaced and the spectre of a suspension loomed.
A month later, Braun accepted his MVP award against a backdrop of controversy.

In February of 2012, arbitrators ruled that the chain of custody for Braun’s urine sample in question was compromised, clearing Braun from any MLB punishment. He forcefully defended his name at a Spring Training press conference.

Roughly a year later, Braun was back in the spotlight, connected to the disgraced Biogenesis Clinic in Miami, along with several other Big Leaguers. Braun claimed the connection was simply for consulting services during his successful 2012 appeal.

On July 9th, ESPN reported Braun’s refusal to answer investigators’ questions about the clinic and his possible PED usage subjected him to punishment once again.

Braun’s suspension will amount to 65 games.


(fox6now.com)

Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun, who in July accepted a 65-game suspension for his ties to the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug scandal, still is seeing fallout from corporate America. On Thursday, SURG Restaurant Group, the company that manages restaurants in Wisconsin affiliated with Braun, announced it will sever its relationship with him. "We've appreciated the relationship we had with Ryan over the last several years, and the entire SURG family wishes him success in the future," Michael Polaski, CEO and co-owner of SURG, said in a statement. The group had a licensing deal with Braun for an Italian restaurant called Ryan Braun's Graffito Restaurant. SURG said it will keep the restaurant open until the end of the year "to honor its pre-existing obligations to its customers and employees." SURG also said it will change the name of its 8-Twelve MVP Bar & Grill -- the numbers of Braun and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, respectively -- at its current location, as well as at another restaurant that will open this fall. The company's deal with Rodgers will remain unchanged. "We look forward to the future with optimism, particularly with the opportunity to introduce and rebrand two, new exciting restaurant experiences," Omar Shaikh, SURG president and co-owner, said in a statement. The restaurant deal seemingly is the last shoe to drop for Braun, who also lost a deal with convenience store Kwik Trip and a shoe deal with Nike after he was suspended. A month after accepting the suspension, Braun apologized in a statement through the Brewers, admitting that he had used a banned substance in cream and lozenge form. "It was a huge mistake for which I am deeply ashamed and I compounded the situation by not admitting my mistakes immediately," Braun said in the statement. "By coming forward when I did and waiving my right to appeal any sanctions that were going to be imposed, I knew I was making the correct decision and taking the first step in the right direction. It was important to me to begin my suspension immediately to minimize the burden on everyone I had so negatively affected -- my teammates, the entire Brewers organization, the fans and all of MLB."
(espn.com)

CINCINNATI (AP) - Ryan Braun's acknowledgement that he used performance-enhancing drugs was welcomed in the Milwaukee Brewers' clubhouse, where players hope it helps to heal some of the pain caused by his actions and a resulting 65-game suspension.

"I thought it was a good first step on the road to redemption, I guess you could say," catcher Jonathan Lucroy said Friday before the start of a series against the Cincinnati Reds. Braun released a statement Thursday night acknowledging for the first time that he used a cream and a lozenge containing banned substances while recovering from an injury in 2011, when he won the National League's MVP award. Several Brewers, including Lucroy, have stayed in touch with Braun by phone since he agreed to Major League Baseball's suspension on July 22. Lucroy expects Braun to have a news conference at some point to answer questions. F

or now, the statement sufficed. "It certainly was enough for me," manager Ron Roenicke said. "I think it's enough for his teammates. He's made some calls to his teammates.

"I think no matter what he says, there's going to be some negative from a lot of people still: 'He didn't say enough (or) he didn't explain himself enough.' I think he did. And I also think there are some things he probably still can't say. As I read into how he said it, I think there are some things that probably he can't bring up. That's OK with me."

Reliever John Axford said the statement should bring some closure. "Knowing Ryan and understanding Ryan, I'm going to be able to move forward and I hope other people will be able too," Axford said. Braun's statement didn't provide any detail about exactly what substances he used or who provided them. Roenicke said Braun's probably limited in what he can say for now because of the legal ramifications.

His suspension resulted from Major League Baseball's investigation of Biogenesis of America, a clinic that was accused of providing banned substances to major leaguers. The clinic is now closed. Braun took full responsibility in his statement and apologized to numerous people. Lucroy said Braun will be welcomed back quicker by his teammates than he will be by others outside the team, even though he had misled his teammates as well. "I don't think it's going to be that difficult in here," Lucroy said.

"I think the outside, of course, is going to be harder to deal with. Within the clubhouse, I don't think so. If he comes back and is a good teammate and performs and contributes to the team winning, I don't see why he won't be welcomed back with open arms. "I'm sure he will because he's very talented." Axford said he's already moved beyond the matter.

"You can be upset, you can be angry, but in the clubhouse here we're close," Axford said. "We're friends. We're family. And you have to have faith and belief and trust in your family. "If you want to move past it, you have to be able to forgive, and that's where I'm at," Axford added. "I'm in the position where I want to be able to forgive and move past this and talk to Ryan like our friends and family." Roenicke agreed that Braun will have a tougher time being forgiven by those outside the club.

"This is a nice man," Roenicke said, sitting on the bench in the visitors' dugout at Great American Ball Park during batting practice. "He is. This is a nice young man that messed up. That's what it is. "And he's got a long road ahead of him. I'm sure he'll be yelled at at all of the stadiums he'll go to next year," Roenicke added.

"He's going to have things continually written about him. But it's a first step, I think, in trying to get through this, probably trying to heal up some relationships, whether it's the fans, whether it's his good friends, whether it's his teammates. "I think this is a nice step toward that," he said.

(philly.com)

A month after acknowledging only that he made "mistakes," Ryan Braun admitted taking performance-enhancing drugs during his NL MVP season of 2011.
The suspended Milwaukee slugger said he took a cream and a lozenge containing banned substances while rehabilitating an injury.

"It was a huge mistake for which I am deeply ashamed and I compounded the situation by not admitting my mistakes immediately," Braun said in a statement released by the Brewers.

Braun tested positive for elevated testosterone in October 2011, but his 50-game suspension was overturned when an arbitrator ruled that the urine sample was mishandled.

While Braun took full responsibility for his actions and apologized to the collector of the urine sample, teammates and Commissioner Bud Selig among others, the statement still leaves several key questions unanswered.

Among them: Who gave Braun the PEDs and where did they come from? What was the exact substance in the products? Did he know the cream and lozenge were tainted at the time he took them?

Last month Braun accepted a 65-game suspension resulting from Major League Baseball's investigation of the now-closed Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic, which was accused of providing banned substances to players..

"By coming forward when I did and waiving my right to appeal any sanctions that were going to be imposed, I knew I was making the correct decision and taking the first step in the right direction. It was important to me to begin my suspension immediately to minimize the burden on everyone I had so negatively affected -- my teammates, the entire Brewers organization, the fans and all of MLB."

Braun was the first of 14 players disciplined this year as a result of the Biogenesis probe. Twelve accepted 50-game penalties, including a trio of All-Stars: Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz, Detroit shortstop Jhonny Peralta and San Diego shortstop Everth Cabrera.

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is appealing his 211-game penalty, assessed for violations of the drug program and labor contract.

In his initial meeting with MLB investigators to discuss Biogenesis, Braun declined to answer questions. But in the statement, he said he initiated a second session with MLB where he admitted his guilt and began discussing a penalty.

"After my interview with MLB in late June of this year, I came to the realization that it was time to come to grips with the truth," he said. "I was never presented with baseball's evidence against me, but I didn't need to be, because I knew what I had done."

Braun's urine tested positive for elevated testosterone from a sample collected on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, after Milwaukee's NL division series opener against Arizona. The drug collector, Dino Laurenzi Jr., stored the samples from Braun and two other players at home and dropped them off at a Federal Express office on Monday, rather than send them immediately, as specified in baseball's drug collection rules.

The players' association argued that the specimen was handled improperly, and arbitrator Shyam Das overturned the discipline on Feb. 23 last year.

During a news conference the following day on the field at Milwaukee's spring training stadium in Phoenix, Braun proclaimed he had been vindicated and afterward his lawyer criticized Laurenzi when he defended himself.

"I have no one to blame but myself. I know that over the last year and a half I made some serious mistakes, both in the information I failed to share during my arbitration hearing and the comments I made to the press afterwards," Braun said. "I have disappointed the people closest to me -- the ones who fought for me because they truly believed me all along. I kept the truth from everyone. For a long time, I was in denial and convinced myself that I had not done anything wrong."

After he accepted his suspension on July 22 -- 50 games for the drug infraction and 15 games for his conduct at the time of the grievance -- Braun was heavily criticized by players around the major leagues.

"I thought this whole thing has been despicable on his part," Detroit pitcher Max Scherzer said. "When he did get caught, he never came clean. He tried to question the ability of the collector when he was caught red-handed. So that's why the whole Braun situation, there is so much player outrage toward him."
But on Thursday, San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy said it's time to get past this.

"To me, it doesn't really matter what they say. Let's lay down the penalties and move on," he said. "I hope they continue to catch them."


(espn.com)

Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer advised Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals when the former slugger needed a strategy to admit publicly that he used steroids.

Fleischer, who heads Ari Fleischer Sports Communications, was hired for a time by Tiger Woods after Woods’ private life became international news. Fleischer was used by the Packers in 2008 when they were dealing with the messy departure of quarterback Brett Favre.

So when Fleischer (left) called on Wednesday to talk about Brewers slugger Ryan Braun and how Braun might draw a map that could lead him back to some level of respectability, I was more than a little curious about his suggestions.

On Tuesday, this blog offered a sampling of opinion about what Braun needs to do next, the path he needs to walk, in order to restore his good name, if that is even possible.

“I say this as somebody who does not know him, doesn’t know his personality and that’s a very important starting point, because anything somebody does they have to do with credibility,” Fleischer said. “In his case, that has become a much higher hurdle. It’s very hard in the pr world to come up to the plate when you have two strikes against you.”

Braun was suspended by Major League Baseball this season because of his connections to the Biogenesis clinic and performance-enhancing drugs.

“There are three parts to it,” Fleischer said about what Braun should do. “One is a full mea culpa now, like Mark McGwire did. He has to bare his soul, explain he messed up. But it has to be heartfelt and he has to mean it. It can’t be mouthed. It can’t be somebody else’s creation. It has to be genuine or fans and reporters are going to see right through it.

“If he were a client, I would really work him over to make that assessment,” Fleischer said. “If they just can’t pull it off, because they are too arrogant or because they don’t believe it, then I would say you don’t have a way back.”

Part two in his plan is a little easier.

“Go away,” Fleischer said. “Then lay low. Go away. Accept your punishment.”

And part three, “Come back and get hot,” Fleischer said. “You let your bat do the talking.”

After demonstrating he can play at a high level without PEDs, then Braun “can urge people not to make the same mistake” he did.

Fleischer said people are more willing to forgive the transgressions of sports figures than politicians.

“Fans are interested in sports stars because they want to watch their games on the field,” he said. “People still have not given up hope, although it’s become harder every day, to see elected officials in a higher and better light. We expect more from elected officials than we do from a 23-year-old jock. So if an athlete lets us down for a personal transgression, none of us likes it. But we are willing to forgive. America is a very forgiving place for those who earn it and deserve it and for those who are sincere.”


(jsonline.com)

MILWAUKEE - A former college classmate sued Ryan Braun, saying the Brewers slugger sought his help in fighting a failed drug test, balked on paying him and then disparaged him when asked why their friendship soured.

Ralph Sasson, a Milwaukee law student, said Braun's agent hired him in November 2011 to do legal research aimed at clearing Braun after the left fielder tested positive for steroid use. The agent later asked him to investigate the man who collected Braun's urine, Dino Laurenzi Jr., and Braun personally asked him to prank call two journalists working on a story about the failed test, according to the lawsuit filed last month in Milwaukee County court.

Braun was the first baseball player to successfully challenge a drug-related penalty in a grievance. He accepted a longer, 65-game suspension last month amid reports of ties to a Florida clinic accused of distributing performance-enhancing drugs to major leaguers but did not publicly admit using banned drugs.
Sasson said the initial deal called for him to be paid $2,000 for his research and $5,000 if Braun was exonerated. But Braun and his agent, Onesimo Balelo, balked at paying him the full amount after a baseball arbitrator overturned the left fielder's 50-game suspension in February 2012. Sasson eventually got paid, but he said his relationship with Braun soured and the baseball player lied when asked why.

"Braun has engaged in advancing the proposition that the reason for his falling out with Sasson was because Sasson had been rude to staff at Miller Park; Braun had received word that complaints had been filed due to Sasson's abhorrent behavior; that Sasson had "acted like an ass"; and that Sasson is crazy," the lawsuit says.

It seeks more than $10,000 for defamation and emotional distress.

"This lawsuit is an unfortunate attempt to capitalize on Ryan's recent press attention for taking responsibility for his actions," Braun's attorney, Howard Weitzman, said in an email to The Associated Press during the weekend. "The factual allegations are untrue and the legal claims have absolutely no merit. We believe the lawsuit will be dismissed."

Weitzman had no further comment Monday.

According to his lawsuit, Sasson and Braun had been friends since junior high school and attended the University of Miami together. Sasson said Balelo did not mention Braun's name when he initially hired Sasson, but Sasson believed the player he was working to clear was his friend because there was no reason otherwise for an agent of Balelo's stature to call "a law student with very little practical experience."

Sasson said Braun later confirmed he was the player who failed the drug test.

The law student said he wrote a legal brief on the matter and then, at Balelo's request, ran a background check on Laurenzi. Braun's initial suspension was overturned after the outfielder's supporters showed Laurenzi collected the sample on a Saturday but did not send it to the lab until Monday.

Baseball's drug agreement states that "absent unusual circumstances, the specimens should be sent by FedEx to the laboratory on the same day they are collected."


(newsday.com)

Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun let down his fans and teammates by using performance-enhancing drugs and then lying about it. But he also let down Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, an avid sports fan.

“I was defending Ryan Braun literally the Sunday night before the story broke. I feel a little bit like Lance Armstrong’s supporters … it was like a shot to the gut,” Mr. Walker, a Republican, said Monday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program.

Last month, Mr. Braun was suspended for 65 games — the remainder of the season — and became the first of more than a dozen players caught up in baseball’s latest drug scandal. Mr. Braun adamantly had denied using performance-enhancing substances, and he apparently had convinced many highly influential figures in Wisconsin.

Mr. Walker and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers were among those who came to his defense.

“That’s the problem for a lot of us with Ryan Braun. … He kept telling us it didn’t happen. He kept putting out a plausible defense,” Mr. Walker said. “We were defending him up until the very end. It’s very frustrating.”


(washingtontimes.com)

Members of New York Yankees infielder Alex Rodriguez's inner circle were behind the leak of documents that named Ryan Braun and other players as steroid users, one of whom was his own teammate, CBS News says.

In an exclusive 60 Minutes report, sources say that people affiliated with Rodriguez, who was suspended Aug. 5 by Major League Baseball for 211 games for his use of steroids and performance enhancing drugs, gave unredacted documents to Yahoo! Sports implicating several players involved in the Biogenesis scandal.

Rodriguez is in the process of appealing his suspension, while more than a dozen MLB players, including Braun, accepted suspensions from the league.

Included in the list of players Rodriguez's associates implicated was Francisco Cervelli, a teammate of Alex's in New York.

Both Braun and Cervelli had their names blacked out in original documents provided to the Miami New Times, who broke the story in January.


(wjla.com)

A longtime friend of Ryan Braun's filed a lawsuit against the suspended slugger last month, charging that Braun defamed him after the friend provided help in his successful appeal of Braun's positive steroid test in 2011.

Ralph Sasson, 29, makes a number of personal accusations against Braun, saying in the lawsuit that Braun doped through his years at the University of Miami, committed academic fraud and accepted money while a student.

Reached this week, Sasson declined to comment and said the lawsuit speaks for itself.

Braun's attorney, Howard Weitzman, rejected the claims.

"This lawsuit is an unfortunate attempt to capitalize on Ryan's recent press attention for taking responsibility for his actions. The factual allegations and the legal claims have absolutely no merit. We believe the lawsuit will be dismissed," he said in a statement.

Sasson, who describes himself as a law student, says he was contacted by Braun's agent, Nez Balelo, in November 2011 after Braun was notified that he had tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone. Part of his assignment, the lawsuit says, was to conduct background research on the man who collected Braun's urine sample, Dino Laurenzi Jr.

The lawsuit says Sasson was forced to threaten Braun and Balelo with a lawsuit in order to recover $5,000 that he says was promised, and that he was paid last year when he agreed to sign a non-disclosure agreement. But Sasson charges that Braun violated that agreement when he made what Sasson calls defamatory statements about him to undisclosed parties. Sasson asks for unspecified damages in the complaint.

The lawsuit also says that Braun asked Sasson to "prank call" ESPN "Outside the Lines" reporter Mark Fainaru-Wada, who was working with reporter T.J. Quinn on a story in December 2011 that Braun had failed a PED test. According to the lawsuit, Braun wanted Sasson to say, "The original information Quinn and Fainaru-Wada had obtained regarding Braun was part of an elaborate conspiracy to assassinate the character of multiple baseball players and agents including, but not limited to, Ryan Braun."

Sasson says in the lawsuit that he refused.

Meanwhile, USA Today reported Friday that Braun is close to admitting he used performance-enhancing drugs during parts of the 2011 season. The newspaper, citing friends of Braun who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the suspended slugger plans to apologize to commissioner Bud Selig, urine collector Dino Laurenzi Jr., his teammates and his peers.


(espn.com)

Nike Inc. severed its endorsement contract with former National League MVP Ryan Braun, who on July 22 was suspended by Major League Baseball for the remainder of the season due to drug violations, company spokesman KeJuan Wilkins said in an email.

Braun isn't the first athlete to be let go by Nike, which released seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong in the wake of his admission to using performance-enhancing drugs. Braun repeatedly denied using drugs after failing a test during the 2011 post-season.


(thestarphoenix.com)

DENVER - So the question is will Green Bay packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers pony up after losing a $4.5 million bet he made with a Denver man?

That man, 37-year-old Todd Sutton, tweeted to Rodgers in February 2012 after Rodgers defended his friend and Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun, who at the time was accused of using performance enhancing drugs. 

Braun had tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone at the end of the 2011 season but successfully appealed the suspension, challenging the chain of custody of the sample rather than the test results.

When the suspension was lifted on Feb. 23, 2012, Rodgers tweeted, "When its guilty until proven innocent, all u need are the facts. #howsthecrowmlb #exonerated"

Rodgers continued,"I'll let my buddy take it from here. All u idiots talking about technicality open up for some crow too. See if Espn gets pressured not to..."
Sutton tweeted to Rodgers, "You really believe he didn't (do) PED's???? #delusional."

Rodgers tweeted back to Sutton,"ya I'd put my salary next year on it. #ponyup #exonerated."

Well on Monday, when Braun was suspended the rest of the season for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy, Braun admitted to using performance enhancing drugs although he was not specific.

"As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect," Braun said in a statement. "I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions."

So now that Braun has admitted his drug use, will Rodgers give up a year's salary?

Sutton told 7NEWS he has joked about just taking a single game check, but didn't realize it was $281,250.

"That's a lot of money! I'd take a lot less," Sutton laughed. "But it's not about the money for me. I'm not pestering him trying to get money from him, I just think this is funny."

Sutton said he doesn't expect to hear from Rodgers. The flight nurse for AirLife Denver was stunned last year when Rodgers tweeted him.

"I was kind of surprised. Aaron Rodgers ... responded to me. And now this (bet) has taken a life of its own," Sutton said.

Sutton said he was never questioning Rodgers' loyalty to his friend, just his judgment. He had said on Twitter that Rodgers was a great quarterback but either ignorant or naive.

"They are friends. He's sticking up for his buddy. He's not being objective," Sutton tweeted last year.

Besides both being sports stars in Wisconsin, Braun and the Packers quarterback both own a restaurant together, 8- Twelve MVP Bar and Grill in Brookfield, Wisc., named after their jersey numbers.


(thedenverchannel.com)

For whatever reason, every time a baseball player is determined or even suspected to be using performance-enhancing drugs, a huge group of fans and media enter a bizarre game of one-upsmanship to try to prove they are the most outraged. Many call for punishments far beyond the ones actually facing the players, lifetime bans and voided contracts and the like.

Right now, in the wake of Ryan Braun’s suspension, much of the baseball world seems locked on a target: Braun should be forced to hand over his 2011 NL MVP Award to Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp. Kemp himself suggested Braun should relinquish the prize.

OK, I hear you, but why? Not just “because Ryan Braun took steroids.” Why do you feel that stripping Ryan Braun of his 2011 NL MVP is an appropriate punishment for Braun in addition to the punishment set by Major League Baseball that he is currently serving?

Is it that you don’t want Braun to hold on to the physical award itself? That’s not unreasonable; it probably makes for a really nice decoration. But if Braun and everyone who follows baseball realizes that he received that honor for the season in which he first tested positive for PEDs — it was in the playoffs, where performances don’t count for the MVP Award, but whatever — then what difference does it make if Braun holds the actual trophy?

You can argue that Kemp deserves the award, and that’s fair: Kemp deserved the award in the first place, hitting about as well as Braun while playing the more difficult outfield position. But to say that Kemp should get the award now that we know Braun may have played with the added benefit of PEDs assumes that Kemp did not.

This is not to besmirch Kemp’s character in any way: Every bit of evidence we have suggests Kemp is an excellent dude. And his comments strongly suggest he did not chemically enhance his performance that season. But then, so did Braun’s. If — as plenty have said — Braun’s denial and subsequent suspension means we can’t take ballplayers on their words, how could anyone besides Kemp himself know his actions that season?

For that matter, if we’re now going back and taking away MVP Awards from players we suspect took steroids, what do we do about the last 20 years’ worth of MVP Awards? The winners’ ranks include Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi and Ken Caminiti. Do we now give out Bonds’ 2001-2004 prizes to the second-place guys every year? In many cases, that guy’s another suspected juicer! And then what of the MVP Awards Bonds won in 1990, 1992 and 1993? There’s no clear (pardon the pun) milestone at which to draw that line.

Moreover, the MVP Award is by definition given to the player deemed most valuable to his team in a given season. How does Braun’s 2013 suspension mitigate his production for the 2011 Brewers? You can claim Monday’s revelation taints the memory of Braun’s great season or destroys its legacy. But you can’t reasonably say that Braun was not an extraordinarily valuable player to the 2011 Milwaukee Brewers, since every one of his 187 hits and 33 home runs still counts.

Baseball’s records are chock full suspected and confirmed cheaters, dating back to way, way before the so-called steroids era. It’s human nature, and it’s history. It doesn’t make cheating right and it doesn’t mean the league shouldn’t do everything in its power to stop it from happening. But it happens, and it happened, and it will happen again.

Ryan Braun, unlike many in the game’s past, is actually paying for his indiscretion. Any anger over those that never did should hardly be directed toward Braun, and there’s no sense fretting now over prizes for past performances.


(usatoday.com)

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Jon Jay is a friend and former teammate of Ryan Braun's at the University of Miami.

The Milwaukee Brewers' Braun was suspended for 65 games Monday for violation of baseball's substance-abuse policy.

"I was just as shocked as everyone else," said Jay, the Cardinals' player representative. "I'm glad that he was finally able to come out and put this behind him and move forward. It just shows that Major League Baseball's doing the best job (it) can to clean the game up, and I'm proud to say that. I'm happy about that.

"I believe in doing what's right, and the right thing is if you've cheated or done something that you're not supposed to do, you should be punished for it. I'm all for that; I believe that. I'm glad everything got resolved. ... Everyone knows the truth now and we've got to move on."

Jay still considers Braun a friend.

"My thoughts aren't going to change on him," Jay said. "He's been there for me and (has) been a good friend. I've learned a lot from him over the years. I'll stand by that. But I'm happy the system is working. He admitted to cheating and I'm glad he's getting punished for it."

The Cardinals' Matt Holliday, Carlos Beltran and David Freese refused comment about Braun's suspension.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, who played with Mark McGwire in St. Louis and Barry Bonds in San Francisco, disdains PEDs.

"It's cheating the game," Matheny said. "It's no good for our kids that are watching, the next generation of fans. But the guys who are directly impacted are the other players who are clean. ... Their salaries are being measured against the guys who are cheating."

Matheny said playing in the PED era of the late 1990s and early 2000s was "a weird time."

"Many of us had suspicions because you heard the rumors," Matheny said. "But guys didn't go around talking about it. I always took the perspective that I had to take care of myself. I'm very proud to be able to have my career and know I did things the right way in my mind.

"But in the same breath, I don't know where other people are coming from, what made them make the decisions they made. It wasn't my job to judge them. I do know, for the good of the game, there needed to be a system in place to help be accountable."


(bnd.com)

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has been suspended without pay for the rest of the season, a 65-game ban announced Monday by Major League Baseball in what appears to be the first salvo in the league's fight against players allegedly tied to the Biogenesis lab.

The announcement from commissioner Bud Selig said the suspension was for violations of the basic agreement and its joint drug prevention and treatment program and is effective immediately.

"As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect," Braun said in a statement released by MLB that did not specifically mention Biogenesis. "I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions."

Braun is the first player suspended in the wake of baseball's Biogenesis investigation, though the MLB release did not mention that probe. The commissioner's office tried to suspend Braun in 2012 for a urine sample with elevated levels of testosterone, but an arbitrator ruled that a Braun's urine sample was mishandled and Braun succesfully appealed the suspension.

Braun is making $9.61 million this season; the suspension will cost him $3.85 million in salary. Braun is under contract through 2020 in Milwaukee after signing a five-year, $105 million extension in April 2011.

It appears Braun and MLB negotiated the terms of his suspension; he is one of about 20 players who figure to face discipline in the Biogenesis, a list that includes former All-Stars like Alex Rodriguez, Bartolo Colon, Nelson Cruz and Melky Cabrera.

More than 80 players' names appear in the Biogenesis documents that eventually ended up in MLB's hands after it struck a deal with Tony Bosch, who founded the now-shuttered Miami clinic.

"I am deeply gratified to see Ryan taking this bold step," said Mike Weiner, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association. "It vindicates the rights of all players under the Joint Drug Program. It is good for the game that Ryan will return soon to continue his great work both on and off the field."

Weiner said at baseball's All-Star break that appeals in the matter could drag into the winter.

Braun is the face of the Brewers franchise. He was most valuable player in the National league in 2011, the season of his disputed urine sample. He has led the NL in slugging percentage three times.

Braun's statement continued: "This situation has taken a toll on me and my entire family, and it is 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."


(usatoday.com)

Conclusive news on whether Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun will sweat out an MLB-imposed suspension due to an investigation into a Florida anti-aging clinic could be several months away.

At a meeting today with the Baseball Writers' Association of America, Michael Weiner, director of the MLB player's union, told reporters that he and other union officials would push to keep suspensions secret until arbitration hearings have concluded, as permitted under a 2002 agreement between the league and union. Weiner said any suspended players would attempt to defend themselves through arbitration, with hearings starting this fall, or possibly later, effectively delaying any announcements into the next season, according to the Associated Press.

To keep news of the suspensions from getting out, the union would have to contend that the information used as justification for the discipline has not yet been made public. This portion of the agreement was designed to protect the reputations of players who succeed at exonerating their names, though some of that damage has already occurred, following investigative coverage in the The Miami New Times related to the Biogenesis clinic in Florida. The stories could prove problematic for the union and for Braun, whom MLB officials have attempted to question.


(milwaukeemag.com)

According to Bill Madden and Teri Thompson of the New York Daily News, Alex Rodriguez's legal team is internally discussing a possible plea deal in the wake of Friday's interview with MLB's investigators regarding the ongoing Biogenesis scandal. It is believed the league broached the subject of settlements during their meetings with Ryan Braun and other players as well.

From the Daily News report:

According to the sources, a 150-game suspension might be the best that could be expected for Rodriguez, who is rehabbing from hip surgery with high Single-A Tampa and was chastised by the Yankees Saturday for failing to report to the team's complex for Friday night's game following a four-and-a-half hour meeting with MLB officials who outlined their case against him.

According to another source, Rodriguez's meeting with MLB ended at about 4 p.m., and a clearly shaken Rodriguez then met with MLB Players Association reps for an hour and a half to discuss what had been outlined by MLB officials. When Rodriguez didn't show up at the Yankee complex, GM Brian Cashman then tried to reach the three-time AL MVP, who told him that he “just couldn't make it.”

Meanwhile, an A-Rod spokesman told The News Saturday night in reference to a possible plea deal that “nobody from Alex's team has made any such comments, and as we have said before, we are respecting the process and following the procedures as outlined in the joint agreement."

Under the Joint Drug Agreement, players are suspended 50 games for their first violation, 100 games for the second, and a lifetime ban for the third. A 150-game suspension is not specified in the agreement.

The Daily News coverage alleges that MLB, who is working with Biogenesis chief Anthony Bosch, has extensive evidence -- including testimony from Bosch -- that A-Rod "committed multiple violations of the Joint Drug Agreement, including acquiring performance-enhancing drugs from Bosch for several years."

“I can see a scenario where if they've got multiple offenses (against A-Rod) that rather than going for his career with an arbitrator, baseball might settle on something like 150 games,” said one of the Daily News' sources. Another said: "The bottom line is (MLB) wants these guys out of the game ... In (A-Rod's) case, 150 games would sufficiently accomplish that.”

Rodriguez, 37, is working his way back from offseason left hip surgery and has not played this year. He is currently on a minor league rehab assignment that expires one week from Monday. No player is paid during a drug-related suspension. A-Rod still has four years and nearly $100 million remaining on his contract after this season.

Biogenesis, an anti-aging clinic in South Florida, has been under investigation by MLB for potential ties to performance-enhancing drugs. Bosch agreed to cooperate with the investigation after being threatened with a lawsuit.


(cbssports.com)

ESPN reported Tuesday that Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun would not answer questions from Major League Baseball investigators about his connection to the Biogenesis clinic and former operator Tony Bosch and is expected to be suspended along with several other players after the all-star break.

A commissioner's office spokesman said the ESPN report was "premature" in saying that a decision had been made to suspend Braun or any player suspected of buying performance-enhancing drugs from Bosch.

"We are still in the midst of an active investigation," said spokesman Pat Courtney. "No decisions (on suspensions) have been made."

MLB has been in the process of interviewing players whose names were listed on documents from Biogenesis leaked to various news organizations at the start of the year. Braun's name was listed more than once with payments owed Bosch, but Braun has maintained his attorneys merely used Bosch as a consultant for what became a successful appeal of a positive test for elevated testosterone levels in October 2011.

Bosch initially supported Braun's consultant claim. But he later agreed to cooperate with the MLB investigation to have litigation against him dropped and could have changed his testimony. Because Bosch might not be considered a credible witness, however, MLB would need solid evidence against Braun to make a suspension stick.

Through the Brewers' media relations department, Braun said he would not comment on the latest ESPN report. He was back in the starting lineup against Cincinnati at Miller Park after missing a month with a thumb injury.

Braun was interviewed by MLB on June 29 while the Brewers were in Pittsburgh and declined to answer questions relating to Biogenesis and Bosch. In essence, he took the fifth, a decision that had to be supported by his representatives at the meeting. At least one representative from the players' union was present as well, as agreed upon by MLB.

ESPN said Commissioner Bud Selig's office is considering 100-game bans for both Braun and New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, the punishment for a second offense under the MLB drug policy. Neither player has yet been found guilty of a first offense.

The thinking behind a 100-game suspension is that Braun and Rodriguez, and perhaps others, committed multiple offense by buying PEDs, then lying about it. Or, in Braun's case, refusing to answer questions about it.

MLB did suspend minor-league pitcher Cesar Carrillo, a former teammate of Braun's at the University of Miami, for 100 games for refusing to cooperate earlier this year with the Biogenesis investigation. Carrillo did not have the protection of the Major League Baseball Players Association and therefore couldn't appeal the penalty.

MLB is expected to announce any suspensions from Biogenesis shortly after the all-star break. Players who draw suspensions and appeal them would be allowed to keep playing until a ruling is made by an arbitration panel. Depending on the number of appeals, that process could take several weeks.

Under the MLB drug policy, suspensions levied for failed drug tests are supposed to be kept confidential until the appeal process is completed and denied. Because the names of players connected to Biogenesis have been made public, however, MLB intends to announce any suspensions en masse before appeals.

Whether MLB would try to suspend Braun merely for refusing to answer questions about the Biogenesis investigation remains to be seen. Because the idea has been floated that MLB has a vendetta against Braun for winning the appeal of his drug test in February 2012, MLB likely would have to produce evidence or testimony that he bought PEDs from Bosch.

The "vendetta" notion came after MLB vigorously protested the decision of arbitrator Shayam Das, who ruled in Braun's favor, then later fired Das. Braun was exonerated by Das because of questions about the chain of custody of Braun's urine sample, which MLB officials considered a technicality.

Braun repeatedly has denied using PEDs, dating to his appeal of his positive drug test. By declining to answer questions about Biogenesis and Bosch, he and his representatives basically decided not to give MLB anything it could use against him in the investigation.


(jsonline.com)

Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun, who has repeatedly denied using performance-enhancing drugs, refused to answer questions during a recent meeting with Major League Baseball about his connection to Tony Bosch and the Biogenesis clinic in Miami, sources told "Outside the Lines."

The meeting took place June 29, a source said, and is one of several that MLB has conducted with players connected to the clinic. A source said New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has not been interviewed, but a meeting is expected to take place within the week.

Commissioner Bud Selig's office is expected to suspend Braun and Rodriguez, along with as many as 20 players sometime after next week's All-Star break, for their roles in the Biogenesis case, several sources told "Outside the Lines." As OTL reported, MLB started building cases against the players last month after Bosch agreed to cooperate with investigators.

The question is the length of the suspensions.

Sources said the commissioner's office was considering 100-game bans for Braun and Rodriguez, the punishment for a second offense, even though neither player was previously suspended for violating MLB's drug policy.

The argument, one source said, would be that they -- and possibly other players -- committed multiple offenses by receiving performance-enhancing drugs from Bosch and by lying about it.

A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPNNewYork.com that Rodriguez will meet with MLB on Friday but said the injured slugger likely will refuse to answer questions. The source also told ESPNNewYork.com that 10 players already have met with MLB but have refused to answer questions.

Bosch's attorneys have met repeatedly with MLB officials over the past month, turning over numerous documents to substantiate his connection to the players named in company documents, sources have said.

While sources would not detail what Bosch has turned over, he was expected to provide phone, text, email and other records.


(espn.com)

If all goes well, the Milwaukee Brewers hope to get Ryan Braun back on the field for their weekend series in Arizona before the all-star break, with a slight chance of playing beforehand.

Braun has been on the 15-day disabled list with a right thumb/hand injury since June 10 but took batting practice on the field Saturday for the first time since being sidelined and tolerated swinging the bat.

"He is getting pretty close," said manager Ron Roenicke. "He'll be out on the field again (Monday) and the next day. He's got to get his legs under him, too. I know he's in shape and he's doing all these things but just being out on the field, similar to spring training, for three or four hours, your body has to adjust to it. You're going to go through a sore stage.

"If we can get him back maybe before the all-star break and let him play in some games, and then use the break to allow him to recoup, that would be ideal. Hopefully, those things will work out."

Roenicke said he hadn't heard of any ill effects from Braun's on-field batting practice Saturday, which was a good sign. At this point, the goal is to get him on the field for the Arizona series but probably not all four games and not all nine innings.

"I think that's probably a good thing to shoot for," said Roenicke. "I know he probably wants to go before that, but we'll see how it goes tomorrow and the next day. With a day game Wednesday (against the Reds), it kind of makes sense to let him roll over to Arizona."


(jsonline.com)

Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun is hoping to return to the lineup on Thurday, MLB.com reported Sunday.

Braun’s optimism was bolstered with a good batting practice session on Saturday. He has been on the disabled list since June 14 because of nerve inflammation between his right thumb and forefinger.

The Thursday return hinges on how batting-practice sessions go the next few days. The Brewers begin a four-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday heading into the All-Star break.

“I wouldn’t say (Thursday) is as soon as he could play,” Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said, “but I think that’s probably a good thing to shoot for. I know he’s probably wanting to go before that, but we’ll see how it goes (Monday) and the next day.”

Roenicke indicated that Braun, who said he was feeling good after Saturday’s BP, would ease back into the lineup.

“He’s got to get his legs under him,” Roenicke said, according to MLB.com. “If we can get him maybe back before the All-Star break and let him play in some games, and then use the break as kind of how you would recuperate in spring training, that would be ideal.”

In 57 games this season, Braun is batting .304 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs.


(lindyssports.com)

WASHINGTON -- Ryan Braun and Wily Peralta were both feeling better Wednesday, although the Milwaukee Brewers couldn't put a return date on either injured player.

Manager Ron Roenicke was heartened by Braun's response to a batting cage session Tuesday. Braun was scheduled to take some more swings and play some catch before Wednesday's game against the Washington Nationals.

Braun has been out since June with a bruised right thumb, and the Brewers lineup has suffered mightily without the 2011 NL Most Valuable Player.

Roenicke said Braun might be able to return before the All-Star break, which would be earlier than previously expected.

"With the progress that he made the last couple of days, I think it's a possibility," the manager said.

Braun said Tuesday night that the thumb is not "pain-free" but is "a lot better than it was."

Meanwhile, Peralta was able to work out in the weight room and play some catch a day after a strained left hamstring forced him from a game in the sixth inning.

Nevertheless, Peralta's next scheduled start, on Sunday against the New York Mets, is in jeopardy and likely will be determined by the training staff.

"I think that's still iffy. ... To put him back out there if they don't think he's 100 percent, I don't think we'll do that," Roenicke said.


(espn.com)

When Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun was placed on the disabled list with a thumb injury last week, the initial expectation from Brewers camp was that he'd only miss the minimum 15 days. Instead, the hand injury -- inflammation around a nerve between Braun's right thumb and index finger -- could keep him out as long as a month (MLB.com).

The MLB.com report indicates Braun returning next week when eligible is still an "outside" shot, but the most likely scenario is that he won't be ready in time.
As things currently stand, Braun will avoid surgery but has been completely shut down. The longer he stays shut down while allowing the hand to heal, the more likely he'll need a minor-league rehab assignment before being ready to rejoin his teammates.

Braun, 29, is hitting .304/.380/.595 with nine homers and 36 RBI this season.

This is the first disabled list stint of Braun's seven-year career.


(cbssports.com)

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that people who have spoken with MLB investigators feel it's likely that "at least some" suspensions will be issued in the Biogenesis case.
MLB has begun interviewing players associated with the case, though they have yet to talk to Ryan Braun or Alex Rodriguez, seemingly because they want to gather enough evidence before confronting them. Interestingly, Heyman notes that MLB officials believe the league's Joint Drug Agreement may allow it to announce suspensions before any appeal process because the names involved have already been leaked. The MLBPA obviously wouldn't be happy with that. While Braun and Rodriguez have garnered most of the attention in the case, Melky Cabrera, Bartolo Colon, Yasmani Grandal, Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta, Everth Cabrera, Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero are among the other players who have been connected to the now-shuttered clinic.


(rotoworld.com)

HOUSTON -- Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun was in Phoenix on Tuesday to see Dr. Don Sheridan, the hand specialist who has worked on a number of players over the years including second baseman Rickie Weeks.

Assistant general manager Gord Ash said the trip represented "a due diligence second opinion" on the injury that sent Braun to the disabled list for the first time in his career, and was not a reflection of any new development.

Braun had been playing through an inflamed nerve between his right thumb and forefinger for several weeks, hitting with diminished power. When skipping the Brewers' three-game series in Miami did not cure the problem, the club opted to put Braun on the DL.

Ash said Braun was expected to rejoin the team on Wednesday. He is eligible for reinstatement from the DL on June 25.


(mlb.com)

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun remains fourth in the balloting among National League outfielders according to the voting totals released by Major League Baseball today.

With 1,645,084 votes, Braun has fallen way behind the pace. St. Louis' Carlos Beltran, who ranked third in the balloting last week but has surged into the lead this week with 2,385,240 votes.

Atlanta's Justin Upton (2,054,225) and Washington's Bryce Harper (1,981,030) rank second and third.

Braun isn't likely to gain any ground in the coming week either, as he's now on the disabled list with a right-thumb contusion.

Carlos Gomez jumped up one spot to 11th this week with 1,027,684 votes.

Other Brewers leaders include shortstop Jean Segura, who remains at third in the balloting at that position with 1,188,317 votes.

The leading vote-getter at shortstop, Troy Tulowitzki (2,443,772) suffered a broken rib last week and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

That could open the door for Segura to be the NL's starting shortstop, considering second-place vote-getter Brandon Crawford of the San Francisco Giants (1,293,476) doesn't have near the numbers Segura has posted to this point.

At catcher, Jonathan Lucroy moved up to fourth place with 630,902. Lucroy trails NL leading vote-getter Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants (2,606,434), St. Louis' Yadier Molina (2,543,588) and New York's John Buck (866,471).

The All-Star Game will be played on July 16 at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. The all-star teams will be announced on July 7.

Both the NL and AL teams will have eight fan-elected starters. The pitchers and reserves are determined through a combination of player ballots and selections made by the managers for each all-star team.


(jsonline.com)

CINCINNATI -- The Brewers lost another close game and their best player, the latest setbacks to an already disheartening season.

Milwaukee put outfielder Ryan Braun on the 15-day disabled list after a 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.

The Brewers hoped Braun could get back into the lineup on Friday. He'd missed four games while resting a sore right thumb, but went out to take batting practice. The session didn't go well, leaving Milwaukee with no other choice.

Braun is batting .304 with nine homers and 36 RBIs. He won the NL's Most Valuable Player award in 2011 and finished second to San Francisco's Buster Posey last year.

"He went out and swung today, took batting practice and the soreness is still there," manager Ron Roenicke said. "This is a move we tried to avoid. After talking to him, I think this is the right way to go."

Earlier this month, ESPN's "Outside the Lines" reported that Braun is among a group of major league players facing a suspension for his connection to an anti-aging clinic at the heart of an ongoing performance-enhancing drug scandal.


(espn.com)

NEWS UPDATE
After sitting out his third straight game Wednesday, Braun said his injured thumb has felt the same way it did heading into the three-game series with the Marlins, MLB.com reports.

ROTOWIRE FANTASY ANALYSIS
Though Braun has not swung a bat since leaving Sunday's game in the third inning, manager Ron Roenicke indicated he wouldn't have had any qualms about using him in a big pinch-hitting situation if necessary, but that never materialized during the Marlins series. With a team day off Thursday, the Brewers hope Braun can be back in the fold Friday for the first game of the weekend series with the Reds, but if there's no sign of improvement in the next couple days, a trip to the DL would become increasingly likely.


(rotowire.com)

Miami -- The good news about Ryan Braun's injured right hand is that it hasn't gotten any worse since leaving in the third inning of Sunday's win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Miller Park.

The bad news is it hasn't really gotten much better, either, despite Braun being held out of the starting lineup for all three of the Milwaukee Brewers' games against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park.

"It's about the same," he said this afternoon.

Braun and the Brewers have tried a different approach with the injury since heading out on this nine-game road trip, with the leftfielder doing essentially nothing that might aggravate his hand even worse -- specifically, swinging a bat.

"We've tried not to," Braun said. "We're trying not to do anything that irritates it, and every time I've swung that's seemed to irritate it. So I'm trying not to swing."
Manager Ron Roenicke said coming into the series that he'd have to weigh using Braun as a pinch hitter in a game based on the situation.

Runners on, late in the game, chance to win it and perhaps Roenicke asks Braun if he wants to give it a shot. But in doing so, there's the distinct possibility that Braun further aggravates the hand and making it even more of an issue down the line.

Braun hasn't been needed in the first two games, which the Brewers have split with the Marlins, and there's an off-day looming tomorrow heading into a three-game weekend series in Cincinnati.

So has any progress been made with all the steps that have been taken?

"Maybe very minimal," Braun said. "Very minimal."

Braun was asked if he's disappointed with the situation, and how long the injury has lingered. He's been battling it for about a month now, essentially changing his swing and losing the ability to drive the ball when he has played.

The Brewers, meanwhile, have scuffled considerably.

"I don't know, man. I try not to get disappointed," he said. "I just keep an open mind and just deal with what I can. Hopefully it starts to get better.

"I'm optimistic and hopeful that it will start to improve sometime soon."

No doubt, the Brewers would love to have him back in the lineup and swinging well with an NL Central Division rival in the Reds looming next. But that decision will have to wait until Friday at Great American Ball Park.

"It's always day to day," he said. "Obviously I hope that I can play sooner than later. I just don't know."

Assuming Braun is back in the lineup Friday, Roenicke is hoping to see some marked improvement in how his leftfielder's hand is feeling. If not, the disabled list might be broached as a possibility.

"If things Friday, Saturday don't go well, then we'll see what we need to do," Roenicke said.

"It's going to get better. It's whether four days is enough. I don't know."

If Braun doesn't get an at-bat tonight, it will mark the second complete series he'll have missed this season.

He sat out April 5-7 with neck spasms against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Miller Park, a series Arizona wound up sweeping.


(jsonline.com)

Braun fell from third to fourth in all-star balloting for National League outfielders in the totals announced Monday.

Braun was passed up by St. Louis' Carlos Beltran, who has 1,550,884 votes to Braun's 1,283,103. Atlanta's Justin Upton leads all NL outfielders with 1,666,026 votes, and Washington's BryceHarper is second with 1,616,784.


(jsonline.com)

Miami — While there's been no definitive decision, there's a chance Ryan Braun will be held out of all three of the Milwaukee Brewers' games against the Miami Marlins to open the team's nine-game, 11-day road trip.

"It's possible," Braun said Monday. "I don't think anything's set in stone. But it's possible."

Braun left Sunday's win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Miller Park in the third inning after aggravating his injured right hand, with Logan Schafer replacing him both in that game and in Monday's 6-1 victory at Marlins Park.

There is precedent for Braun being held out of a chunk of games. He did so in the second series of the season when he was dealing with neck spasms. The Brewers went on to lose all three of those games.

If he took off all three games in Miami, the Brewers then have Thursday off before opening a weekend series in Cincinnati.

"We've talked about it," manager Ron Roenicke said about Braun possibly being held out for the series. "We'll kind of see how it goes. There's a chance that to get him right, we may have to do that."

Braun was available to pinch hit but ultimately was held out Monday. To use him, Roenicke will have to weigh risk vs. reward to try and keep the hand from flaring up.

"It becomes a decision whether I think the one at-bat has a chance to set him back and how important the at-bat is," Roenicke said.

Braun said pinch hitting in previous games has aggravated his hand.

"There have been a couple times where I've taken a day," he said. "But the first time I had a day off, I pinch hit. The next time I took a single day. I'm not going to take BP today. I'm going to try to not do anything that irritates it, and we'll see where we're at tomorrow and over the next couple days.

"But it's definitely at the point to where we need to get it back to close to being healthy, and I need to get to the point to where I can take a regular swing."

Has the disabled list been discussed as a possibility?

"We'll wait and see what happens," Roenicke said. "We haven't talked about doing that yet. Hopefully it won't come to that."

Braun was asked when exactly he injured his hand.

"It happened about a month ago," he said. "I don't remember the game, but it was a specific instance on a swing. When it originally happened, my thumb was numb for like a week, week and a half. I eventually got the feeling back.

"It's not just my thumb. It's my hand. There's a nerve and a ligament in my hand. The majority of it has been between my index finger and the thumb."

Braun said to this point, nothing he or the team's athletic training staff has tried has helped greatly aside from taking time off.

"We've discussed the last month, off an on, trying to figure out the best way to deal with thing," he said. "We've tried all kinds of different treatments, then we tried different stuff in the batting glove and on the bat to try and relieve some of the pain.

"But it's at the point where I'm going to take a little time to try and get it right."

Braun's swing has become markedly different while he has dealt with the injury.

While he's hitting .304, his ability to drive the ball has been almost non-existent.

Braun has nine home runs, tying him for second on the Brewers with Jean Segura, but has just one extra-base hit in June and only two in his last 13 games.
"I've tried to change the way I've held the bat, tried to change my bat path, tried to do a lot of different things to compensate for the pain and get it to the point to where it doesn't hurt when I swing," said Braun.

"But I haven't been overly successful doing it. So it's at the point to where I need to take the time to get it back to close to being healthy so I can take a regular swing and hold the bat the way I regularly hold the bat."


(jsonline.com)

NEW YORK — The founder of a Miami anti-aging clinic has agreed to talk to Major League Baseball about players linked to performance-enhancing drugs, a person familiar with the case told The Associated Press on Tuesday night.

The person declined to be identified because the investigation was still ongoing.

Information that Anthony Bosch provides MLB on players who came to the now-closed Biogenesis of America clinic could lead to 100-game suspensions. Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, Nelson Cruz, Melky Cabrera as well as former Indians Jhonny Peralta and Bartolo Colon are among the players whose names have been tied to the clinic.

The agreement between Bosch and MLB was first reported by ESPN.

In addition to Rodriguez, New York Yankees teammate Francisco Cervelli also was linked to the clinic. Cervelli said he consulted Biogenesis for a foot injury, but didn't receive any treatment.

"We'll let MLB handle everything and we don't really have a comment," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said after a 4-3 win over Cleveland.

Girardi said the Yankees were still planning on Rodriguez rejoining the team after the All-Star break. The star third baseman has been on the disabled list all season.

As for the drug cloud that has hovered over baseball for years, Girardi said: "I think we all had hoped we'd gotten through it. But obviously, we haven't."

Yankees outfielder Vernon Wells said it was too soon to draw any conclusions.

"Everything right now is speculative," Wells said. "We can all sit here and wonder."

MLB has sued Biogenesis of America and its operators, accusing them of scheming to provide banned PEDs to players in violation of their contracts.

Miami New Times reported in January that it obtained purported records detailing drug purchases by Rodriguez, Cabrera, Cruz and former AL Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon.

Yahoo Sports reported that Braun, the 2011 NL MVP, was mentioned in the records.

Most have denied the Biogenesis link, although Rodriguez has admitted using performance-enhancing drugs earlier in his career and Colon and Cabrera each were suspended for 50 games last year for testing positive for elevated testosterone levels.

Braun failed a drug test in 2011, but his suspension was overturned by an arbitrator. He has acknowledged that he was mentioned in Biogenesis records because his lawyers had used Bosch as consultant during the appeal.

After the Brewers' 4-3 win in 10 innings over Oakland at Miller Park, Braun said he was done talking about the clinic.

"I've already addressed everything related to the Miami situation. I addressed it in spring training. I will not make any further statements about it," he said.
"The truth has not changed," he said.

Braun said the speculation was not affecting him on the field.

"No, of course not. I've dealt with this for two years now. I'm pretty good at avoiding distractions," he said.


(cleveland.com)

Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun and other players connected to the PED scandal at the Miami-area Biogenesis clinic could be suspended soon by Major League Baseball, according to a new ESPN "Outside the Lines" report.

There's a startling new development making this all possible. Clinic owner Anthony Bosch had agreed to cooperate with Major League Baseball's investigation. From ESPN's story:

One source familiar with the case said the commissioner's office might seek 100-game suspensions for Rodriguez, Braun and other players, the penalty for a second doping offense. The argument, the source said, is that the players' connection to Bosch constitutes one offense, and previous statements to MLB officials denying any such connection or the use of PEDs constitute another. Bosch and his attorneys did not return several calls. MLB officials refused to comment when reached Tuesday.

Bosch is expected to begin meeting with officials — and naming names — within a week. The announcement of suspensions could follow within two weeks.

Investigators have had records naming about 20 players for more than a month. But without a sworn statement from Bosch that the records are accurate and reflect illicit interactions between the players and the self-described biochemist, the documents were little more than a road map.

This could be a league-shaking development. Among the players already connected to Biogenesis through documents leaked to the Miami New Times, Yahoo! Sports and ESPN: A-Rod, Braun, Melky Cabrera, Bartolo Colon, Yasmani Grandal, Nelson Cruz, Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero, Jhonny Peralta and Everth Cabrera. Other players could still be linked to Biogenesis through Bosch's testimony.

The ESPN story also says that Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez may be "possibly exonerated." He had previously passed a post-Biogenesis drug test. There are also questions about Yankees star Robinson Cano's ties to the clinic. More from ESPN:

In exchange for Bosch's full cooperation, sources said, Major League Baseball will drop the lawsuit it filed against Bosch in March; indemnify him for any liability arising from his cooperation; provide personal security for him and even put in a good word with any law enforcement agency that may bring charges against him. Sources said negotiations over the agreement, which lasted several weeks, stalled over the last point, as Bosch wanted the strongest assurances he could get that MLB would help mitigate any prosecution.

Stay tuned. We certainly haven't heard the end of this.


(sport.yahoo.com)

When the Milwaukee Brewers began their "Brewers Win, You Win" promotion at the beginning of the month, I don't think the marketing folks figured the club would win so few games.

Feeling confident after finishing the month of April by winning 12 of 15, the Brewers launched a campaign that would knock a dollar off the price of Terrace Box seats for the June 3-5 series against the Athletics with every game that the Brewers won in the month of May. Unfortunately, Milwaukee has won just five games since the promotion started.


(philly.com)

8-Twelve MVP Bar and Grill, a restaurant associated with athletes Ryan Braun and Aaron Rodgers, will open its second location at Glendale's Bayshore Town Center.

The new 8-Twelve will be located in the space now leased to COA, a locally owned Mexican restaurant which Marc and Marta Bianchini opened in 2009. COA closes June 30, and 8-Twelve is expected to open in the fourth quarter, said David Moss, Bayshore general manager.

8-Twelve opened its first location last July in Brookfield. Its name comes from the jersey numbers for Braun, leftfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers, and Rodgers, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. The restaurant is operated by SURG Restaurant Group, which is owned by Mike Polaski and Omar Shaikh and has a licensing agreement with Braun and Rodgers.

Much of 8-Twelve's produce, beef and pork is provided by Polaski's Hidden Creek Farm, in New London, as well as other Wisconsin farms.

8-Twelve's Bayshore location will feature private dining rooms, as well as a large dining room and spacious bar area.

The Brookfield 8-Twelve, 17800 W. Blue Mound Road, made Journal Sentinel dining critic Carol Deptolla's list of 2012's best new restaurants.

On the Bayshore lease, Surg and 8-Twelve MVP were represented by brokers Steve Palec and Michael Levine of Cresa.


(jsonline.com)

Ryan Braun went 3-for-6 with two doubles as the Brewers lost to the Pirates in extra innings on Tuesday.

Braun sat out Monday's game with neck tightness, an issue that has plagued him off and on through the early part of the season, but he was back in the lineup producing on Tuesday. The neck issue is something he may continue to deal with as the season progresses, but he's been able to play through it for the most part thus far. It's something to monitor, but it's no reason to downgrade Braun for the time being.


(rotoworld.com)

Pittsburgh -- Ryan Braun is out of the lineup tonight with a stiff neck as the Milwaukee Brewers open a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

Manager Ron Roenicke had hinted over the weekend in Cincinnati that Braun would probably need a game off to recuperate a bit, and Monday wound up being the day.

The timing certainly isn't great, as the Brewers have lost four straight games and nine of 10 and Braun is a career .429 hitter against Pirates starter A.J. Burnett (6 for 14), but the neck has gotten to the point where it needs to be addressed.

"I don’t want him out of there," Roenicke said. "But physically he’s been fighting the neck issue. He wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to play the games in Cincinnati. Somewhere, whether it was yesterday or today, he needs a day.

"It’s different when you’re playing well and things are going good. But we need him, and he does hit Burnett well."

Roenicke said that as far as he knew, Braun didn't aggravate his neck while playing.

"Wasn’t a swing," he said. "I don’t know if it was sleeping. But he woke up with it stiffer again and fought pretty good for a couple days. Maybe getting a little bit better from it, but we want to get rid of it and make sure we get the guy back in the No. 3 slot that we need to have."

Braun missed an entite three-game series against Arizona at Miller Park earlier in the season with neck spasms, and the Brewers wound up being swept. Roenicke indicated this latest bout of pain isn't serious enough to keep Braun out multiple games, however.

"I don’t think it is," he said. "At that point he couldn’t turn his head."

Braun will be available to pinch hit tonight if need be.

"He thought he was going to be OK to pinch hit," said Roenicke. "I told him I’ll give him plenty of warning. But he said I could use him."


(jsonline.com)

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers would welcome a gay player in the clubhouse, Ryan Braun said Monday on the day that NBA center Jason Collins became the first active professional athlete to come out.

"Absolutely, I would hope so," Braun said. "I know I would be. I think everybody else would be, as well."

Braun said it was great that Collins decided to be open about his sexual orientation.

"For all of us as athletes, we should all be tolerant," he said. "Not only tolerant but accepting. I think it's a great thing. I think everybody should be encouraged to be comfortable and confident in who they are, and I think hopefully it's the first step in the right direction for anybody that's going through some of the same things that he went through.

"It's definitely a step in a positive direction I think for all athletes and hopefully for society in general."

Braun said he was surprised it took until 2013 for an active player to announce he was gay.

"I understand the challenges associated with being the first person to come out who is actively playing," he said. "I'm sure the numbers would suggest there have been plenty of professional athletes who have been gay who hadn't come out.

"So I guess I'm a little surprised it's taken this long, but at the same time, it's obviously a complicated situation, a complicated issue," he said. "The timing needed to be right for somebody to be confident enough to come out and be the first one to make that statement."


(mlb.com)

Ryan Braun has another supporter in his quest to prove he did not buy performance-enhancing drugs from the scandal-ridden Biogenesis clinic —owner Anthony Bosch himself.

In his first public comments since reports surfaced in January that Major League Baseball was looking into whether Bosch had provided PEDs to players, including Alex Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera and other stars, Bosch backed up Braun’s claim that his name appeared on a Biogenesis ledger only because his lawyers used Bosch as an expert witness in Braun’s successful 2012 appeal of a 50-game drug suspension handed down by MLB in 2011.

“I just answered a few questions from his legal team, not from Braun or any other ballplayer,” Bosch said in an interview reported by ESPN Monday night.

Braun adamantly denied having gotten drugs from Bosch after Yahoo! Sports reported that Braun’s name had appeared on a Biogenesis document indicating that the Milwaukee Brewers left fielder owed $20,000-$30,000 to Bosch, saying that during the course of his appeal, his attorneys, who were previously familiar with Bosch, used him as a consultant.

“More specifically, he answered questions about T/E ratio and possibilities of tampering with samples,” Braun said. “There was a dispute over compensation for Bosch’s work, which is why my lawyer and I are listed under ‘moneys owed’ and not on any other list. I have nothing to hide and have never had any other relationship with Bosch. I will fully cooperate with any inquiry into this matter.”

ESPN also reported that Braun’s name had appeared on a list, but described it as a list of players who received PEDs from the clinic or Bosch, a report strongly refuted by Braun’s lawyers.

Bosch also told ESPN that he knows nothing about performance-enhancing drugs and disputed media accounts of his alleged dealings.

“I have been accused, tried and convicted in the media. And so I think have been falsely accused throughout the media,” Bosch said. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

The Daily News first reported on Jan. 26 that MLB was investigating Bosch’s possible dealings with PEDS and his links to A-Rod. The Miami New Times and other media outlets then began reporting on documents that listed the names of players alongside drug notations and amounts owed.

Bosch is the subject of a lawsuit by MLB for tortious interference with its contracts with players, but said he had not been contacted by baseball officials, a claim MLB strongly disputes, saying it has repeatedly tried to contact Bosch to interview him and, most recently, to serve him with legal papers.

MLB has scheduled a deposition next month for a doctor whose name investigators believe Bosch may have forged on prescription forms.

Coral Gables anti-aging specialist Daniel Carpman told the Daily News last week that he is scheduled to be deposed on May 17 by MLB lawyers.

That deposition might be much more helpful to MLB’s investigators than Bosch himself appears to be.

“If you are going to ask me about baseball players,” he told ESPN, “I have no comment on any baseball players or anybody else associated with baseball players.”


(nydailynews.com)

SAN DIEGO — Ryan Braun and Yuniesky Betancourt gave Kyle Lohse all the support he needed before throwing a pitch. The right-hander didn’t get to finish his impressive outing either.

Lohse injured his left pinkie during an at-bat in the sixth inning of the Milwaukee Brewers’ 7-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Monday night for their eighth straight win. Braun hit a two-run home run and Betancourt had a three-run shot, both off Jason Marquis in the top of the first.

The homer for Braun was his sixth of the season. He also had an RBI single in the fifth and has 19 RBIs.

In his last visit to Petco Park, Braun became the first player to hit three home runs in one game at the ballpark. He also had a triple in his last at-bat here on April 30, 2012. He has five homers and 13 RBIs in 16 games at Petco.

“I just enjoy coming back to the West Coast,” Braun said. “It’s always rejuvenating for me. Obviously (Petco Park) is still a challenging ballpark to hit but I’ve enjoyed hitting here throughout the course of my career, and as a team I think we’ve enjoyed getting a chance to come here and play.”


(washingtonpost.com)

Ryan Braun slugged his third home run of the season on Thursday as the Brewers defeated the Giants.

The first-inning home run snapped a mini slump for Braun. He boasts a cool .275/.396/.575 batting line, three home runs and 10 RBI through 11 games this season. The 29-year-old should again challenge for the NL MVP.


(rotoworld.com)

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said that Ryan Braun's neck is "still bothering him some."

Braun has played the last four games after missing three contests with a neck ailment, but he's gone 0-for-7 while striking out six times over the last two days against the Cardinals. "(Braun's) neck is still bothering him some," Roenicke said. "He's not 100%. You can see some of his swings aren't his usual self." At this point, it doesn't appear that the disabled list is under consideration for the outfielder, but things might be different if the Brewers weren't already so undermanned.


(rotoworld.com)

By going 3 for 4 Monday, Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun raised his batting average at Wrigley Field to .381 (72 for 189). Only Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen has a higher average (.386) there among active players.




(jsonline.com)

Ryan Braun is out of the Milwaukee Brewers' lineup for the third consecutive game today as he continues to deal with neck spasms.

Manager Ron Roenicke seemingly left the door open for a possible pinch-hitting appearance today if Braun's neck stays loose and the situation calls for it, and Braun is definitely anxious to get back onto the field in some form.

"As soon as I’m able to get to a point where I have a chance to contribute and play, I’ll be playing," Braun said. "It’s a little bit better today than it was yesterday, which is a good thing.

"I feel like I’ve been out a week and it’s been less than 48 hours since I did it. So hopefully it gets better sooner rather than later."

There's never a good time for an all-star caliber player like Braun to be injured, but at this point especially the Brewers really can't afford to be missing him.

They're off to a 1-4 start, cleaup hitter Aramis Ramirez just went on the disabled list with a sprained left knee and a six-game road trip to Chicago and St. Louis opens on Monday.

Without his No. 3 and 4 hitters, Roenicke has had to get creative the past few days with his lineup.

"Went through a few," Roenicke said, referring to lineup combinations.


(jsonline.com)

The Brewers announced Thursday that prior to the game Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Miller Par, an on-field, pre-game ceremony will be held to present Ryan Braun with his 2012 Silver Slugger Award. 

Fans are encouraged to be inside Miller Park for the ceremony, which will begin at approximately 6 p.m. Brewers general manager Doug Melvin will present the award.

In addition, Braun will be presented the 2012 Josh Gibson Legacy Award by Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. The award is given annually to the home run leaders of both the National League and American League. Braun led the NL with 41 home runs last season.


(jsonline.com)

Milwaukee Brewers OF Ryan Braun went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Tuesday, April 2, against the Colorado Rockies.

Fantasy Tip: Braun was 1-for-2 against Rockies SP Jorge De La Rosa, bumping his career numbers to 8-for-11 with two homers and three doubles. File that away if you play daily fantasy games for the next time the Brewers face the Rockies and De La Rosa.


(kffl.com)

One may worry about the impact of all of the drug allegations to the legacy of Ryan Braun, but in one respect his legacy is secure: he’s the guy who killed plastic pee containers in MLB drug testing. Andy Martino reports:

According to two major league sources, MLB quietly switched from plastic to glass containers for urine samples in 2012, a direct result of Braun’s victory on grounds that the collection process was flawed.  Before the Braun case, players gave the urine sample in a triple-sealed plastic container … The bottles have a locking mechanism on the top, as opposed to tamper-proof stickers on the plastic version. The only way to open the glass bottles is to smash the top with a hammer, which the lab does in what a person familiar with the process described as a “controlled manner.”

We have a new front-runner for “worst job on the planet.”


(hardballtalk.com)

PHOENIX -- Ryan Braun said he is game-ready earlier than ever in spring training, then went out and proved it.

Braun socked a home run in his first at-bat Saturday as the Milwaukee Brewers held on for a 2-1 victory over Oakland in their Cactus League opener at Maryvale Baseball Park.

Because he will be leaving in a week to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic, Braun accelerated his pre-camp workouts and plans to get more at-bats than usual in the interim.

"I think I'm definitely ahead of where I am normally this time of year," said Braun. "I started my baseball stuff a lot earlier, so I feel pretty good."

Braun looked quite comfortable at the plate in the bottom of the first inning when he drove a pitch from Oakland right-hander Jesse Chavez out to right-center. He walked in his next at-bat before exiting from the game.

"Certainly, it's a good sign," said Braun. "I'd much rather homer than strike out, especially staying through the middle and hitting the ball the other way. When I'm going my best, that's what I do pretty well.

"There's nothing I didn't like about it. It was a homer. Homers are cool. I always like homers."

Ron Roenicke has watched some remarkable offensive exploits from Braun in his two seasons as Brewers manager but nevertheless shook his head at the first at-bat home run.

"It's pretty amazing," said Roenicke. "With two strikes, he can do that. An amazing player. He just doesn't need as much as everybody else to get going. He's gifted to where he can do things other players can't do."

Braun said he would play back-to-back games Monday and Tuesday, the earliest he ever has played consecutive contests in exhibition play. He knows he'll be counted upon to play nine innings right away when Team USA begins play in the WBC on March 8.

"We'll have the luxury of three practices and two (exhibition games) prior to the WBC games," said Braun. "It's certainly more than I usually do but nothing drastic.

"I'll be ready. Those games are fun. You get out there and you're wearing a USA jersey. Just the intensity of those games, I think I'll be prepared regardless of how many innings or at-bats I get here."

The Brewers scored their other run on an RBI groundout by Jean Segura in the fourth inning, then let their pitchers take it from there. Eight pitchers limited the A's to five hits, with only Santo Manzanillo surrendering a run.

The last two innings were covered nicely by Michael Olmsted (two strikeouts) and Jesus Sanchez (one), neither of whom allowed a hit.

"Olmsted, man, that's a nice arm," said Roenicke. "I really like (Sanchez's) arm. He's very compact, short (with his delivery). The ball kind of jumps on you. I like what he does."


(miamiherald.com)

Scottsdale, Ariz. - Major League Baseball executive vice president Rob Manfred denied that MLB has targeted Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun specifically in its investigation of the Biogenesis clinic in Miami, as suggested by a USA Today article.

"Everyone whose name has surfaced surrounding the Miami New Times story and Biogenesis is being investigated with equal vigor," Manfred said in a statement to the Journal Sentinel.

The USA Today article Wednesday labeled Braun as "MLB's Public Enemy No. 1" in its investigation of Biogenesis, an anti-aging clinic alleged to have sold performance-enhancing drugs to baseball players.

Braun's name was among many baseball players listed on the log books of clinic operator Tony Bosch. Braun explained that his defense team enlisted Bosch's services as a consultant in their appeal of a positive drug test for elevated testosterone levels in the winter of 2011-'12.

Monetary figures were posted in those logs next to Braun's name, which his attorneys said represented a dispute over fees owed to Bosch for his consulting. Lead attorney David Cornwell later said Bosch's input was not helpful in the successful appeal of Braun's positive test.

After Shyam Das ruled in Braun's favor on a chain-of-custody issue, MLB fired Das as its independent arbitrator. MLB's anger over that ruling fueled its pursuit of Braun, according to the USA Today article.

After that report surfaced by the Miami New Times, Braun met with reporters and said he would take no questions about the Biogenesis connection but said he would cooperate fully with MLB's investigation. A major-league source said all players listed in the logbook would be interviewed.

MLB suspended minor-league pitcher Cesar Carrillo for 100 games - 50 for having his name in the Biogenesis logs and 50 for refusing to cooperate with the investigation. Carrillo, a former teammate of Braun's at the University of Miami, was not on a major-league 40-man roster and therefore not protected by the union from sanctions.

Major leaguers who don't cooperate could be subject to punishment, which likely would be appealed by the players union. The Miami New Times refused to turn over its Biogenesis documents to MLB, which does not have subpoena power.

In the USA Today article, which said MLB wants Braun "badly," he said, "I'm extremely confident and secure in who I am, and how I live my life. I will never allow anyone or anything to get me down or change that.

"I've always tried to do everything right in life and I'm proud of what I've accomplished. You get to the point where you almost don't care what people think. But anybody that knows me and who has ever known me knows who I am. They know the way I live my life. They know I'm a good person."

Approached Wednesday morning in the Brewers' spring camp about the USA Today article, Braun said, "Anything I have to say about that I've already said."


(jsonline.com)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Ryan Braun understands why many people are skeptical of him, given the way his name has twice been linked to performance-enhancing drugs.

He refuses to let it bother him.

On a sun-splashed field in Arizona, the Brewers slugger said that getting back to spring training has helped him deal with the swirling controversy, and that playing for the U.S. team in the World Baseball Classic could help to convince some fans to give him a clean slate.

“Obviously, there’s been a lot of things I’ve dealt with over the last year and a half,” he said, “but I’m just trying to focus on the things I can control.”

After his MVP season in 2011, Braun tested positive for steroids during the playoffs. But he fought the case and eventually had his 50-game suspension overturned by an arbiter who discovered chain-of-custody issues in the handling of Braun’s test sample.

Then this past off-season, Braun’s name surfaced in records from the now-defunct Biogenesis of America LLC clinic that allegedly provided substances to several players.


(nationalpost.com)

Update: Braun is not expected to miss any of the World Baseball Classic, despite bruising his knee recently, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Recommendation: Apparently, Braun is dealing with some pain after fouling a ball off his knee, but this should clear up completely by Opening Day. As for the WBC, Team USA does not play until March 8, which should give Braun plenty of time to return.


(rotowire.com)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Baseball was invented in the United States, but the World Baseball Classic has been dominated by Japan.

U.S. manager Joe Torre has taken a different approach in the WBC's third edition this year. Rather than stock his entire roster with high-profile stars, he's got a basic starting nine with utility players, three catchers and 15 pitchers filling out the 28-man group.

"I think it's advantageous. I think you need role players," said Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun, who was part of the 2009 team that made it to the semifinals. "You look at regular teams throughout the course of the season, those role players are instrumental in teams finding a way to win games. It's certainly important to have versatility."

The Americans went through their only pre-tournament workout Monday, a light, two-hour session at Salt River Fields, the spring training home of Arizona and Colorado.

They have exhibition against the Chicago White Sox and Rockies before their opener Friday against Mexico at Chase Field, which could draw an enthusiastic and not necessarily pro-U.S. crowd.

Although the team includes Braun, New York Mets third baseman David Wright and New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, Torre chose only one player at each infield position.

Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins is at shortstop and Cincinnati's Brandon Phillips will play second. Their backups are Arizona's Willie Bloomquist and Tampa Bay's Ben Zobrist with Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer expected to fill in some at first base as well as a designated hitter. The outfielders are Braun, Baltimore's Adam Jones and Miami's Giancarlo Stanton of Miami, with Boston's Shane Victorino another option.

The other catchers are Milwaukee's Jonathan Lucroy and Toronto's J.P. Arencibia, who gets to catch knuckleballer R.A. Dickey — his new teammate on the Blue Jays — in Friday night's opener.

Under pitch-count rules, starters can't throw more than 65 pitches in opening round games.

The Americans' group also includes Canada and Italy. After round-robin play concludes with the Canada-U.S. game on Sunday, the top two nations advance to the second round in Florida. The semifinals and finals will be held the following week in San Francisco.

Texiera called the competition "an exhibition."

"While we want to win. The important thing is to put on a great tournament for everyone to enjoy it, for the fans to enjoy it," he said. "It doesn't mean we don't want to win it."

Japan has won the first two WBC titles. While American fans may not be watching intensely, Braun said players should expect heated competition.

"It's certainly challenging," he said. "I know the last time I played just the atmosphere, the environment, felt like the intensity of a playoff game."

Torre, an MLB executive vice president, wouldn't announce starting pitchers other than Dickey, although he pointed out Texas' Derek Holland is starting Tuesday's exhibition against the White Sox. That puts Holland in line to start Sunday.

Wright said that players went through their offseason preparation with the knowledge they would need to be in shape for the WBC.

"The four or five games I've been in, I've tried to play into the sixth or seventh inning each time," he said. "Just kind of speeding up the process, playing a few more innings earlier in the spring than I normally would and obviously getting those extra at-bats is important to get ready."

Several players mentioned their motivation is to become the first U.S. squad to gain the title.

"We're all here to win it, and we all have gotten ourselves to the point where we can go out there as if it's Game 7 of the World Series," Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel said. "We're out there to win. We're going to put it all on the line. That's what we're here to do. We're not here to show up and just play and say we played for Team USA. We're here to say 'We played for Team USA and we won.' I had that feeling in the clubhouse that that's what we're all here to do."


(host.madison.com)

PHOENIX (AP) — Ryan Braun quickly got into the swing of spring.

The Milwaukee slugger homered in his first at-bat of the exhibition season and the Brewers beat the Oakland Athletics 2-1 Saturday.

"There was nothing I didn't like about it," Braun said. "It was a home run. Homers are cool. I love home runs. I think I'm definitely ahead of where I usually am this time of year."

Braun hit only two home runs during spring training last year. He played just in home games for the first week to ease his exposure after he became the only major leaguer to have a 50-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs reversed.

Braun's name surfaced again in late January in connection with a Miami anti-aging clinic that reportedly provided PEDs to professional athletes. Braun has denied using PEDs.

"He's really good upstairs," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "He's able to handle a lot of different situations really well."

The 2011 NL MVP hit .319 with a league-leading 41 home runs, 112 RBIs and 30 stolen bases last year.

Braun will soon be leaving the club to prepare for the World Baseball Classic with Team USA. He hit a solo shot over the center-field fence with two outs in the first inning off Jesse Chavez.

"That's pretty amazing, that with two strikes you could do that," Roenicke said. "He's an amazing player and I just don't think he needs as much work as everybody else to get ready. He's gifted."

Braun has accelerated his spring regimen to prepare for the WBC, where he's set to start in left field. With only four outfielders on the roster, he's already been told by the team's coaching staff to expect to play nine full innings in each of the team's first three games.

"I'll be ready," Braun said. "Those games are fun. You put on a USA jersey, the intensity ramps up and it's a lot of fun."

Milwaukee starter Mike Fiers allowed a hit and two walks in two scoreless innings and struck out two.

Oakland shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima made his debut after signing a two-year, $6.5 million contract.

"The environment and the ambiance were fabulous," the 30-year-old Nakajima said through an interpreter. "It pumped me up. I was very excited."

Nakajima walked and popped out. He also was the pivot on a double play started when second baseman Jemile Weeks made a backhanded stab of a short hop as he fell to his knees.

"I knew Weeks was going to get to the ball," Nakajima said. "The rest was how he was going to flip the ball to me."


(usatoday.com)

Phoenix - Off the field, Ryan Braun has been a magnet for controversy the past year and a half. On the field, he has never performed better.

How does he do it? How does the Milwaukee Brewers' all-star leftfielder block out the increasing array of distractions created by links to the world of performance-enhancing drugs?

"The guys with the makeup that can put things aside are a special breed," said Brewers manager Ron Roenicke, who has marveled at Braun's ability to insulate himself from the outside world when he steps between the white lines.

"I think he can overcome some things that mentally some other guys are not able to do. They are going to perform better because they can do that."

For his first five seasons in the major leagues, Braun carefully polished a squeaky clean image as one of the game's rising stars. He was one of the most popular players in the game, earning a starting spot on the National League all-star team four consecutive years in balloting by fans.

Then came the stunning news in December 2011 that Braun had tested positive for an extremely high level of testosterone just days after putting the wraps on an MVP season in which he batted .332 with 33 home runs, 111 runs batted in, 109 runs scored and 30 stolen bases.

The Major League Baseball drug program is designed to be confidential, but the test result was leaked to the media and Braun's saga played out publicly, including his appeal of a pending 50-game suspension. Even when Braun's defense team had the test result overturned, he received little benefit of the doubt because MLB officials made it clear they believed he escaped merely through a chain-of-custody technicality, going as far as firing arbitrator Shyam Das for his ruling.

Under intense scrutiny to see if he could continue his high level of performance in 2012, Braun quieted critics with another big season. He batted .319 with a league-high 41 home runs, 112 RBI, 108 runs scored and 30 stolen bases, finishing second to San Francisco's Buster Posey in the MVP balloting.

"I've always said through adversity you determine somebody's character," said Braun, 29. "It's really easy to do well when things are going well. When you face adversity, that's when you see what you're made of.

"Ultimately, my job is to be the best baseball player I can be and try to help my team win games. That's what I did last year and that's what I'll continue to do. I've always been positive and optimistic and I never allow outside distractions or negativity to affect that.

"Certainly, it was challenging. But the goal every year is to be productive. The challenge in this game is consistency and longevity. Certainly, last year I dealt with some challenges and adversity. It was rewarding for sure."

But the adversity was not over. Shortly before the start of spring training, Yahoo Sports reported that Braun's name was in the log books of the Biogenesis clinic outside of Miami, a facility linked to selling performance-enhancing drugs to baseball players. Braun reported to the Brewers' camp with that cloud over his head, again claiming his innocence but declining to answer questions on the subject from reporters.

Next came an ESPN report with Braun's name appearing in more logs of clinic operator Tony Bosch, supposedly linking him to PEDs but proving nothing. As MLB continues its investigation of that clinic and its ties to baseball players, Braun has continued his daily routine in camp as if nothing is amiss.

One of the game's elite offensive players, Braun nevertheless has absorbed significant damage to his image, especially outside of Milwaukee. Skeptics note he says he has nothing to hide but won't answer questions. Braun has not provided evidence of his claim that his attorneys used Bosch merely as a consultant.

And so it goes. To this point, Braun has been proven guilty of nothing. And he well could survive this latest round of circumstantial evidence and innuendoes. If it goes the other way, he will have some explaining to do and the Brewers will have to grit their teeth and continue forward with their star player signed through 2020 at more than $100 million.

Meanwhile, Roenicke has every reason to expect another big year from Braun, no matter how many barbs and arrows are flung his way.

"I know what happened after the (appeal) decision when we went to different ballparks," said Roenicke, referring to the constant booing Braun heard from fans.

"The thing that was impressive was the way he played last year he had the same year, was second in MVP. Could have been MVP."

Entering what should be the prime years of his career, Braun figures to build upon an amazing offensive legacy. A finalist for a Gold Glove the last two seasons, he also has evolved into a solid leftfielder after struggling through an error-filled, rookie-of-the-year season at third base in 2007.

"I actually wanted to go back to shortstop. I still want to go back to shortstop," said Braun, who played that position until being moved to third base at the University of Miami. "I was good at short. Third base was never for me.

"I knew (the position change) was going to be challenging; I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I feel like I've made strides; I continue to get better. I was confident that I would become an above-average defender. I think I'm well on my way to getting there.

"Certainly, there's room for improvement. I work at it every day. The goal is to have my defense catch up to my offense."

Anything seems possible when Braun steps between those white lines. Instead of remaining in a protective cocoon in Brewers camp while the Biogenesis controversy swirls around him, he remains committed to playing in the international spotlight of the World Baseball Classic for Team USA.

"He's got a really strong mind," said Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez. "Once the game starts, he really focuses just on the game. That's his own world right there.

"You've got to approach it that way - just go out and play the game and don't worry about anything else. He can't control what the fans think of him or if they boo or cheer. The only thing he can control is his game. He's one of the best at that."

BY THE NUMBERS
5 Consecutive seasons in which Ryan Braun has driven in more than 100 runs.
1,089 Hits for Braun in 883 games in the major leagues.
12 Errors for Braun in five seasons since moving from third base to left field.
3 Home runs in a game for Braun last April 30 in San Diego (first player to do so there).
202 Career homers for Braun, already fifth on Brewers' all-time list.


(jsonline.com)

Phoenix - Ryan Braun reported to the Brewers' spring camp Friday and made it clear immediately that he would answer no questions about the report linking him to a Miami clinic alleged to have provided performance-enhancing drugs to baseball players.

"I'm excited to be back out here for spring training; certainly looking forward to the World Baseball Classic," Braun said in opening comments to a group of reporters. "I'm obviously excited and focused on our upcoming Brewers season.

"I understand why a lot of you guys are probably here but I made a statement last week. I stand behind that statement. I'm not going to address that issue any further. As I stated, I'm happy to cooperate fully with any investigation into this matter. I respect the fact that all of you guys have a job to do. Part of that job includes asking me questions. I'm happy to answer any and all questions about baseball, spring training, the World Baseball Classic or anything else."

A Yahoo Sports report last week revealed that Braun's name was listed three times in the ledgers of the now-shuttered Biogenesis clinic under operator Tony Bosch. Unlike previous players named, including Alex Rodriguez, there were no PEDs listed next to Braun's name. There was the dennotation "20 K - 30 K" which supposedly meant Braun owed $20,000 to $30,000 to Bosch.

Braun quickly issued an explanation for his name being in the logs of that controversial clinic. He said his attorneys used Bosch as a consultant while preparing their defense of his positive drug test the previous year. Braun tested positive for a high level of testosterone but appealed that finding and had a looming 50-game suspension overturned by arbitrator Shyam Das over irregularities in the shipping of his urine sample.

Braun said there was a dispute over the payment to Bosch and thus the $20,000 to $30,000 listing in "moneys owed" to Bosch. He said he had nothing to hide and would cooperate fully with any investigation being conducted by MLB. That investigation is ongoing and Braun's representatives declined a request by the Journal Sentinel to provide corroboration of the consulting relationship with Braun.

Braun obviously was not going to provide any additional information so it is up to the Major League Baseball investigation to determine if Braun's explanation was complete.

Braun was asked about the support of manager Ron Roenicke, who told reporters two days ago that he didn't think the report should have targeted Braun without evidence of why his name was in the clinic's logs.

"Absolutely, I appreciate everybody's support," said Braun. "In life, when you deal with challenges, you see who supports you and who has your back. He certainly has been extremely supportive and for that I am very thankful."

Braun was asked about following up his tumultous winter of 2011 with another huge season in 2012 despite being under scrutiny to see how he would perform.
"In baseball, you deal with adversity; in life you deal with adversity," he said. "I've always said through adversity you determine someone's character. It's really easy to do well when things are going well. When you deal with adversity, that's when you see what you're made of. You see what your character is.

"I try to stay focused on the task at hand. Ultimately, my job is to be the best baseball player I can be, help my team try to win games. That's what I did last year and that's what I will continue to do."

Asked about the satisfaction he had to produce another big season, Braun said, "Certainly, it was challenging for sure. But the goal every year is to be productive. I've always said the challenge in this game is consistency and longevity. So the goal is to be as good as possible every year.
"Certainly, last year I dealt with some added challenges and adversity. So, it was rewarding for sure."

Braun heard much booing on the road last year from fans not willing to give him the benefit of the doubt after his drug appeal and I asked him if he expected it to be any different this year.

"I don't think about those things," he said. "I don't think about things that are out of my control. I only focus on the things I have control of."

Braun was asked one follow-up question about PEDs. He was asked about MLB expanding its testing for human growth hormone to include the regular season after previously doing so only once during spring training.

"I've always been supportive of the system," said Braun. "I've always been supportive of additional drug testing or whatever testing they have that's available."


(jsonline.com)

Phoenix - Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun is scheduled to report to spring training Friday, and he has already sent notice to the team's media relations department that he will not answer questions pertaining to Yahoo Sports' report linking him to a Miami clinic that is alleged to have sold performance-enhancing drugs to several baseball players.

The story broke Feb. 5, and Braun's only reaction has been a statement released by his public-relations firm that same day. In the statement, Braun explained that his lawyers had contacted the clinic while doing research to aid in his successful appeal of a 2011 positive test.

Manager Ron Roenicke, meanwhile, is taking a wait-and-see approach. Major League Baseball is investigating the clinic and those listed in the report.

"Right now, to be honest with you, I'm not even thinking about handling it or anything," Roenicke said. "Until there's more information on what is there, I can't make any comments on things I know nothing about.

"I've talked to Ryan. He's coming in, and I know he's going to have to deal with some press issues. But we're just going to move on with it as if nothing's there."

Last year, the first 10 days of spring training were a major distraction for the team as Braun reported while he was appealing a 50-game suspension for a positive test for elevated testosterone that occurred in October 2011.

Braun ultimately won his appeal, setting the stage for a memorable day-after news conference held on the field at Maryvale by the 2011 National League MVP.
This year, nobody really knows what to expect.

"It was different last year," Roenicke said. "We knew what the specifics were last year. I knew what to address, what I wasn't supposed to talk about. I knew where he was on those issues. I don't know anything (this time).

"We'll see where we are. It may be nothing. If it's the thing with the lawyer and payments, then it's nothing."

Roenicke left no doubt about the fact he has an issue with Braun's name being mentioned in the Yahoo Sports report when the newspaper that originally broke the story about the clinic, the Miami New Times, didn't mention Braun because it couldn't verify he was linked to anything illicit.

"I've had this pet peeve: Don't bring up anybody's name and put it in there if you're questioning it," he said. "If there's something going on and it's definite, fine. That's your job to put it out there. But don't bring up names you're not sure of and then retract it later, because it never is retracted from the fans or the people who are out there. Never.

"There will be some people that will say, 'OK.' But the majority, it's still there in their minds. It shouldn't be out there. That's what I have an issue with. It's very unfair to a player."


(jsonline.com)

As Yogi Berra would say, it's déjà vu all over again.

For the second consecutive year, Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun reports to spring training this week dogged by questions about performance-enhancing drugs.

The circumstances are quite different from one year ago, when news was leaked of Braun's positive drug test for an unusually high level of synthetic testosterone. An arbitration panel later overturned a 50-game suspension, which would have begun on opening day.

This time, the all-star's name surfaced on the logs of a Miami anti-aging clinic linked to supplying baseball players with PEDs. Braun quickly issued a statement saying his attorneys merely used clinic operator Anthony Bosch as a consultant in their defense planning for the 2012 arbitration hearing.

But in the court of public opinion, the damage was done. Across social media platforms, Braun has been blasted by baseball fans who don't yet have the facts but subscribe to the theory that where there's smoke, there's fire.

Jonathan Norman, senior director of client strategy for GMR Marketing of New Berlin, understands the rush to judgment on Braun but cautions fans to sit back, take a deep breath and wait for the facts to come out.

"What I would say is social media has taken the news cycle from days to minutes and seconds," Norman said. "The court of public opinion is much like a drive-through restaurant instead of a sit-down meal.

"People are quick to form their own judgments because of the way we're sharing this information. You're expected to not only form an opinion but to share it."
When it comes to PEDs, athletes no longer receive the benefit of the doubt. Too many have made strong denials that later were revealed as lies. Exhibit A is cyclist Lance Armstrong, whose years of deceit and manipulation were exposed as the workings of an arrogant con artist.

Fair or not, it's natural for some fans to jump to conclusions when it comes to Braun.

"I think it's sort of like playing roulette," Norman said. "To assume that because it hit red last time it's going to hit black this time, that's false logic. We're in a time when PEDs are in the public conversation and it's easy to make a reach, especially when all the facts are not known."

Even noted sportscaster Bob Costas has weighed in, questioning why Braun's defense team would use Bosch as a consultant and saying that "we all know (Braun) got off on a technicality (in 2012)."

Arbitrator Shyam Das cast the deciding vote on what became a chain-of-custody issue after Braun's urine sample was taken for a drug test in October 2011. Das later was fired by Major League Baseball, which clearly was unhappy with the panel's finding.

"People say (Braun) got off on a technicality," said David Leigh, a clinical assistant professor in exercise science at Marquette University and an expert in the field of testing athletes for PEDs. "I would not say that. I would say MLB's drug-testing protocol was flawed."

But even Leigh, who has been an athlete representative at the Goodwill Games and Pan American Games, wonders why Braun's legal team would use Bosch as a consultant.

"I would think I'd want to go to a (doctor) or a researcher in the field of drug testing vs. a guy who is running a lab in Miami that doesn't have credentials," Leigh said. "Was it just advice? OK, fine. Again, I would say you should go to somebody else for advice."

Braun opened spring training last year by making an impassioned 30-minute speech during a news conference in which he fought to save his reputation and integrity. Defiant but eloquent, he claimed he was the "victim of a process that completely broke down and failed."

Playing with a chip on his shoulder and often to jeering and catcalls from opposing teams' fans, Braun led the National League in homers (41), total bases (356) and runs (108) while batting .319, driving in 112 runs and stealing 30 bases.

This year, the circumstances are different.

Braun's name was in the ledgers of Biogenesis, the Miami clinic linked to supplying baseball players with performance-enhancing drugs. Yahoo Sports reported the ledger indicated a payment due of $20,000 to $30,000, but Braun said in his statement that there was a dispute with Bosch about the fee and that's why his name and the monetary figure were listed.

Norman said Braun was smart to issue his statement quickly after the Yahoo Sports report broke.

"I think Ryan did the right thing by issuing the press release and his comments on the case," Norman said. "My best recommendation is to get him on the field and let the process play out.

"Major League Baseball has announced that they are conducting their due diligence through the investigation."

As for Braun's guilt or innocence regarding PEDs and the veracity of his statement, Leigh said "it would not surprise me either way."

"Again, is his name on a list because he was a University of Miami athlete?" Leigh said. "Let MLB do the investigation. His name was on a list? Well, so what? Do we have other positive tests? No, we don't. With Lance Armstrong they found positive tests going way back."

As for Braun defending himself against an onslaught of criticism in social media, Norman said there was little the player could do.

"Social media makes it difficult to not have an opinion on these types of issues and topics," he said. "As you know the news cycle has shortened immensely. From a marketing standpoint I believe Ryan has done everything he can."


(jsonline.com)

MIAMI -- Milwaukee Brewers manager Ron Roenicke says he has talked to slugger Ryan Braun about how he was linked to a defunct Florida clinic being probed by Major League Baseball in the sport's latest drug investigation.

Roenicke says Braun is "doing good," and added that he knows the 2011 NL MVP again will have to deal with some scrutiny.

Braun tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone during the 2011 postseason. Baseball suspended him for 50 games, a sanction that was overturned in spring training last year after an arbitrator ruled in Braun's favor due to chain of custody issues involving the sample.

Braun has acknowledged a business relationship with Anthony Bosch, saying he consulted with the founder of the Miami-based anti-aging clinic only to strengthen his appeal of the 2011 positive test result.

Braun released a statement last Tuesday in response to a report by Yahoo! Sports, which said the outfielder's name is listed in records obtained from Biogenesis of America LLC, the clinic that allegedly provided PEDs to several high-profile baseball players.

"During the course of preparing for my successful appeal last year, my attorneys, who were previously familiar with Tony Bosch, used him as a consultant," Braun said in his statement. "More specifically, he answered questions about T/E ratio and possibilities of tampering with samples."

The T/E ratio is a comparison of the levels of testosterone to epitestosterone.

Roenicke was speaking Saturday night at Florida International's baseball banquet.


(espn.com)

Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun's name is in records of the Miami-area clinic alleged to have distributed performance-enhancing drugs to a rash of baseball players, and Major League Baseball will investigate the link to the former MVP who tested positive for illegal synthetic testosterone during the 2011 postseason.

Three of the Biogenesis clinic records obtained by Yahoo! Sports show Braun's name. Unlike the players named by the Miami New Times in its report that blew open the Biogenesis case, Braun's name is not listed next to any specific PEDs. Braun said his attorneys retained the clinic's operator, Anthony Bosch, as a consultant during his appeal for the positive test.

"I have nothing to hide and have never had any other relationship with Bosch," Braun said. "I will fully cooperate with any inquiry into this matter."

MLB is investigating the Biogenesis clinic and Bosch to determine the breadth of his alleged PED dispersal throughout the sport. The league could pursue punishment through non-analytical positives – evidentiary links to players without positive tests – and one source said it will not limit the potential discipline to those whose names are surfacing for the first time, meaning those who have faced suspensions in the past could again be tried.

Braun is on a list that includes Alex Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera and Cesar Carrillo, who the New Times reported received PEDs from Bosch. Also on the list are New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli and Baltimore Orioles third baseman Danny Valencia, who weren't listed near PEDs either. The record matches a document the New Times posted with Braun's name redacted and Cervelli and Valencia's cut off.

"Following my foot injury in March 2011, I consulted with a number of experts, including Biogenesis clinic, for legal ways to aid my rehab and recovery," Cervelli said in a statement. "I purchased supplements that I am certain were not prohibited by MLB.''

In a statement, Valencia denied involvement with the clinic and said he would cooperate with MLB's investigation.

"I am shocked and troubled that my name is in any way connected to this story," Valencia said in the statement. "I have never met or spoken to anyone connected with Biogenesis."

Why Braun's name was sandwiched among three alleged users' was not explained by his statement. He referenced his presence on another document, which lists his name along with "RB 20-30K" – explained by Braun's statement as "a dispute over compensation for Bosch's work." Later in the document are multiple mentions of Chris Lyons, one of Braun's attorneys during the 2011-12 offseason when he fought the positive test. When reached by Yahoo! Sports on Tuesday evening, Lyons declined comment. David Cornwell, another of Braun's attorney's, has worked with baseball and football players facing suspensions for PEDs.

"During the course of preparing for my successful appeal last year, my attorneys, who were previously familiar with Tony Bosch, used him as a consultant," Braun said. "More specifically, he answered questions about [testosterone-to-epitestosterone] ratio and possibilities of tampering with samples."

The nature of their previous relationship is unclear. Sources questioned why Braun, who retained doctors with intimate knowledge of drug testing as experts in his arbitration case, would use Bosch, who was portrayed by the New Times as a rogue chemist and anti-aging guru who passed himself off as a doctor even though he had no medical degree.

While Braun never contested the findings of the test, which found elevated testosterone levels in his urine, a 50-game suspension was overturned after chain-of-custody issues arose from the test-taker keeping the specimen in his basement over the weekend instead of immediately shipping it to a testing lab. Braun denied use of testosterone publicly.

The early portion of MLB's investigation has focused on the web of connections to the University of Miami, where Braun attended college. Carrillo, a pitcher in the Detroit Tigers organization, was Braun's road roommate for three years. Jimmy Goins, a strength-and-conditioning coach at the school and alleged client of Bosch's, worked with Braun during his three years at Miami. Goins has denied a connection to Bosch.

At least two others implicated by the New Times – Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez and San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal – have worked with Goins. Grandal, Cabrera and Bartolo Colon, all listed in Bosch's records, were suspended by MLB after testing positive for testosterone this season. MLB is considering pursuing further discipline against them, particularly if the league can acquire records that tie players to PEDs on different dates than their positive tests.

Two league officials met with New Times editors in Miami on Monday hopeful the newspaper would turn over the documents, which would aid an investigation and potential arbitration hearings if the league were to pursue suspensions. While the newspaper did not give the records to MLB, it is still considering doing so, according to two sources.

Braun's acknowledgement of the documents' veracity could quell speculation, including from some accused players, of the legitimacy of the records.

The third record is a letter from Bosch that appears to be to Juan Nunez, a former runner for the ACES sports agency that represents Cabrera, Cruz and Gonzalez. Though undated, it congratulates "Juan" on "the MVP award" – a possible reference to Cabrera's All-Star Game MVP – and continues: "This smells like the 'Braun' advantage."

Braun's name does not appear in the document on the New Times' website.

The players as well as Bosch issued blanket denials in the aftermath of the New Times report. Rodriguez said in a statement he was never treated by Bosch and "(t)he purported documents referenced in the story – at least as they relate to Alex Rodriguez – are not legitimate." Rodriguez also denied an ESPN.com report that Bosch had personally injected him.

In a statement, Gonzalez said: "I've never met or spoken with Tony Bosch or used any substances provided by him." Attorneys representing Cruz said: "To the extent these allegations and inferences refer to Nelson, they are denied."

Bosch's attorney said the New Times story was "filled with inaccuracies, innuendo and misstatements of fact."

Braun has eight years and more than $130 million remaining on his current contract. He finished second in NL MVP voting last season after hitting a league-leading 41 home runs.


(sports.yahoo.com)

A year ago, Ryan Braun was in limbo.

In the midst of appealing his 50-game drug suspension, the Milwaukee Brewers' leftfielder basically dropped out of sight until the start of spring training.

That meant no media exposure in the weeks and months following his 2011 National League most valuable player award and no appearance at the "Brewers On Deck" event in downtown Milwaukee.

But with all that and a productive 2012 season behind him, Braun returned to the team's annual event Sunday at the Delta Center.

Relaxed and all smiles, Braun not surprisingly said he has been enjoying this off-season much more than his last.

"This is nice," he said during a break. "It's definitely a lot different for me. It's just nice to be able to relax, to have a regular schedule, a regular routine, know exactly what I'm getting myself into. More than anything else, it's far more relaxing."

Braun will head into spring training a little bit ahead of the curve having begun long-tossing in November and hitting in earnest in December, a month earlier than usual.

Much of this early work is to help him get prepared for the World Baseball Classic. Braun, along with Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy, is a member of Team USA, which will begin training in Phoenix on March 1. Team USA's first game is March 8 at Chase Field against Mexico, which will have a pair of Brewers starting pitchers in Yovani Gallardo and Marco Estrada.

Unlike some of the other big American stars who passed on the opportunity to play for Team USA, Braun said he relishes the opportunity.

"First and foremost, it's an honor," he said. "It's a tremendous honor to represent your country. You don't know how many opportunities you'll get to do that - this tournament only happens once every four years, and four years from now who knows - for all of us - what our health situation will be, where we'll be in the game, whether we'll even get an opportunity to be invited.

"For me, I think it was a no-brainer. As long as I was healthy, it was something I was definitely going to do."

Braun was asked about playing alongside Lucroy for Team USA, and got in the zinger of the day.

"It's amazing - I didn't even know Team USA had a bullpen catcher," he said with a grin. "It's really cool to have a teammate. It's going to be really fun for both of us. We've talked about it and we're pretty excited. It's definitely a cool opportunity, and we'll get a chance to play against some of our teammates, too."

As far as the Brewers' chances this year, Braun, like everyone else, is interested in seeing how the team's rotation shakes out. Aside from Gallardo and Estrada, Chris Narveson is attempting to return from rotator-cuff surgery, and youngsters Mike Fiers, Mark Rogers and Wily Peralta will also be trying to win spots.

"I think the talent is there; it's about going out there and doing it over the course of the season," he said. "We have some guys that are relatively inexperienced (in the rotation) - we don't know exactly what they're going to be able to do. But aside from that, I think we're certainly going to be competitive again.

"And as long as you're competitive, that's all you can ask for."


(jsonline.com)

A Wauwatosa artist whose work has been gaining attention for a couple of years now has one really big-league admirer – Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun.

Last year, Braun bought four large-format paintings from Anderson to decorate his California home.

On Saturday, he and girlfriend Larisa Fraser stopped in at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee to pay a visit to his favorite painter as she worked with artist in residence Timothy Westbrook in the hotel's art studio.

Braun and Fraser even cast their votes for Anderson to be the next full-time artist in residence at the Pfister.

Anderson's bold style of abstract painting features riots of color on large canvases. She also paints at the Plaid Tuba art studio in Milwaukee's Third Ward.

Anderson said her introduction to Braun, and his to her, began when she was contacted by the interior design firm decorating Braun's original restaurant downtown. They wanted her to curate displays of original artwork for the restaurant, which she did for a year.

When the restaurant changed management and theme, Anderson said, the new managers discontinued the rotating art gallery concept. But in the meantime, Braun had taken notice.

"I met Ryan through that," Anderson said, "and then his manager contacted me said he wanted to arrange a private showing."
Paintings 'pop' in Malibu sunlight

Braun, after signing an eight-year contract extension with the Brewers, bought an oceanfront house in Malibu, Calif., and had been looking for the right artist to set the tone in his new home.

"He said that the California sun is pretty intense, especially coming right off the ocean," Anderson said. "He told me my large, bright, colorful paintings really pop on the wall."

On Saturday, Anderson said, both Braun and Fraser again complimented her on how good her work looks in the home – "which thrilled me," she said.

Anderson is a longtime Wauwatosa resident and former business owner. She opened and ran the Underwood Gallery at 1430 Underwood Ave. for 10 years, selling jewelry, ceramics and fine art pieces from artists near and far and painting at home as a hobby.

Only a few years ago, Anderson decided to take the plunge and make painting her focus. She sold Underwood Gallery and began exhibiting her own work.

It didn't take long, obviously, for her to make her mark. Her paintings soon were selling for thousands of dollars.

Becoming artist to one of baseball's biggest and most charismatic stars will likely elevate Anderson's reputation even more.


(patch.com)

A year ago at this time, Ryan Braun was in limbo.

In the midst of appealing his 50-game suspension for a drug suspension, the Milwaukee Brewers' leftfielder basically dropped out of sight until the open of spring training.

That meant no media junkets in the weeks and months following his 2011 National League Most Valuable Player award, and no appearance at the Brewers On Deck event in downtown Milwaukee.

But with all that behind him, and an even better 2012 season under his belt, Braun made his return to the team's annual event on Sunday at the Delta Center.
Relaxed and all smiles, Braun not surprisingly said he's been enjoying this off-season much more than his last.

"This is nice," he said during a break. "It’s definitely a lot different for me. It’s just nice to be able to relax, to have a regular schedule, a regular routine, know exactly what I’m getting myself into. More than anything else, it’s far more relaxing."

Basically the entire Brewers' 25-man roster (save for a few exceptions) is on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and take part in team-sanctioned events.

In the few moments the players actually have downtime at these things, they use them to reconnect with teammates they haven't seen since the end of last season and meet players who have since joined the Brewers.

"That’s one of the most enjoyable parts of this experience for us, is just getting to see each other again, meeting some of the new guys," said Braun. "I think you start to build that camaraderie, start to make fun of each other again and it starts to feel like spring training is right around the corner – which it is.

"So it’s fun."

Braun wi'll head into spring training a little bit ahead of the curve this year having begun long-tossing in November and hitting in earnest in December. In the past, Braun typically wouldn't start hitting until sometime in January.

Much of this advance prep work is to help him get prepared for the World Baseball Classic. Braun, along with Jonathan Lucroy, is a member of Team USA, which will begin training in Phoenix on March 1. Team USA's first game is March 8 at Chase Field against Mexico (which will have a pair of Brewers starters in Yovani Gallardo and Marco Estrada).

Unlike some of the other big American stars who passed on the opportunity to play for Team USA, Braun said he relished the opportunity.

"First and foremost, it’s an honor," he said. "It’s a tremendous honor to represent your country. You don’t know how many opportunities you’ll get to do that – this tournament only happens once every four years, and four years from now who knows – for all of us – what our health situation will be, where we’ll be in the game, whether we’ll even get an opportunity to be invited.

"For me, I think it was a no-brainer. As long as I was healthy, it was something I was definitely going to do."

Braun was then asked about playing alongside Lucroy for Team USA, and got in the zinger of the day.

"It’s amazing – I didn’t even know Team USA had a bullpen catcher," he said with a grin. "It’s really cool to have a teammate. It’s going to be really fun for both of us. We’ve talked about it and we’re pretty excited. It’s definitely a cool opportunity, and we’ll get a chance to play against some of our teammates, too."

As far as the Brewers' chances this year, Braun, like everyone else, is interested in seeing how the team's rotation shakes out. Aside from Gallardo and Estrada, Chris Narveson is attempting to return from rotator-cuff surgery, and youngsters Mike Fiers, Mark Rogers and Wily Peralta will also be trying to win spots.

"I think the talent is there; it’s about going out there and doing it over the course of the season," he said. "We have some guys that are relatively inexperienced (in the rotation) – we don’t know exactly what they’re going to be able to do. But aside from that, I think we’re certainly going to be competitive again.

"And as long as you’re competitive, that’s all you can ask for."

As far as individual goals for the upcoming season, Braun said he's looking for continued improvement. Of course, bettering his 2012 season in which he hit .319 with a career-high 41 home runs, 112 runs batted in, 30 stolen bases and a .987 OPS, isn't going to be easy.

"I think the challenge is just always longevity and consistency, so hopefully I continue to have success," he said. "There’s always room for improvement. I think defense is something I’ve always prioritized and tried to get better at. I think I’m headed in the right direction. Hopefully continue to get better defensively.

"It’d be really cool if I could walk more than I strike out. I don’t know if that’s going to happen, but if I could do that, it’d be really cool."


(jsonline.com)

The Brewers have had no luck in recent years in keeping elite players off the free-agent market. Overtures to the likes of CC Sabathia, Prince Fielder and Zack Greinke were rebuffed and those players left for huge deals with other clubs.

The one exception has been all-star leftfielder Ryan Braun. He signed an eight-year, $45 million deal after his 2007 NL rookie of the year season, then basically committed to the Brewers for life by agreeing to a five-year, $105 million extension in April 2011 that takes him through the 2020 season with a mutual option for 2021.

In an interview on "The D List"  on 540 Milwaukee ESPN radio on Wednesday morning, Braun said he had no regrets for signing up for years to come with the Brewers rather than seeing what he might be offered on the free agent market.

"I wouldn't change a thing," said Braun. "I love it in Milwaukee. It's amazing. I think the more time I've spent there, the more I realize how great a situation it really is.

"An incredibly supportive fan base. A great ball park to play in. Weather is never an issue. We're centrally located as far as travel goes. I think from the top of the organization, from the ownership group on down, everybody is committed to winning. We've got to go to the playoffs two times in the last four or five years. We're consistently playing competitive baseball.

"For me, there's no place I'd rather be. I'm certainly still thrilled with the decision I made. I feel so fortunate, I really do. But I don't fault anybody else for making their decision, either. They have to do what they feel are in their best interests."

Braun went on to say he feels great physically and is looking forward to once again participating in the World Baseball Classic this spring.


(jsonline.com)

It's official. Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun and catcher Jonathan Lucroy have been named to the Team USA roster for the World Baseball Classic this spring.

Braun and Lucroy were the only Brewers named to the prelimnary roster. A final 28-man roster, including at least 13 pitchers and two catchers, must be submitted on Feb. 20.

Braun will be competing in the WBC for the second time, having competed for Team USA in 2009.

Toronto's J.P. Arencibia and Minnesota's Joe Mauer joined Lucroy as the three catchers on the Team USA provisional roster.

Beyond Braun, the outfielders named are Adam Jones, Giancarlo Stanton, Shane Victorino and Ben Zobrist.

Team USA begins pool play in the World Baseball Classic on March 8 in Phoenix against Mexico. Italy and Canada are the other teams in Pool D.

Team USA will be led by manager Joe Torre. Torre's coaching staff includes Larry Bowa (bench coach), Marcel Lachemann (bullpen/pitching coach), Greg Maddux (pitching coach), Dale Murphy (first base coach), Gerald Perry (hitting coach) and Willie Randolph (third base coach). Lachemann and Maddux will oversee Team USA’s pitching staff.  

"Having talked to all of these players I sense a great deal of excitement about representing the United States in the World Baseball Classic," Torre said.  "I share their excitement and look forward to managing this talented group in March."

Only 27 players were named to the provisional roster and Torre said he was holding open a spot for another starting pitcher. Four starters already named are Atlanta's Kris Medlen, Toronto's R.A. Dickey, Texas' Derek Holland and San Francisco's Ryan Vogelsong.

Relief pitchers named to the roster include San Francisco's Jeremh Affeldt, Arizona's Heath Bell, St. Louis' Mitchell Boggs, Miami's Steve Cishek, Kansas City's Tim Collins, San Diego's Luke Gregerson, Atlanta's Craig Kimbrel, and Cleveland's Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano.

Infielders include New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips, Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins and New York Mets third baseman David Wright, as well as utility man Willie Bloomquist.

The rosters for the other countries will be made official later today. Brewers who already have committed to play for their countries are relievers John Axford and Jim Henderson and infielder Taylor Green for Canada, right-hander Yovani Gallardo for Mexico and catcher Martin Maldonado for Puerto Rico.


(jsonline.com)

MILWAUKEE -- All-Star outfielder Ryan Braun and all three of the Brewers' new relievers were among 50 current, former and future players confirmed Thursday to attend the team's annual "On Deck" event later this month.

Besides Braun, the Brewers announced that relievers Burke Badenhop, Michael Gonzalez and Tom Gorzelanny would attend, as would broadcaster Bob Uecker and top 2012 Draft picks Clint Coulter, Victor Roache and Mitch Haniger.

On Deck, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 27, at Milwaukee's downtown convention center, is the club's annual fanfest, with autograph and photo opportunities, interactive forums with coaches and players, memorabilia sales and baseball activities for kids. Advance tickets are $15 for adults and $9 for kids, and are on sale at Brewers.com/OnDeck.

The full list of participants includes current 40-man roster members John Axford, Badenhop, Jeff Bianchi, Braun, Nick Bucci, Hiram Burgos, Khris Davis, Marco Estrada, Mike Fiers, Yovani Gallardo, Mat Gamel, Scooter Gennett, Caleb Gindl, Carlos Gomez, Gonzalez, Gorzelanny, Taylor Green, Corey Hart, Johnny Hellweg, Jim Henderson, Brandon Kintzler, Jonathan Lucroy, Martin Maldonado, Chris Narveson, Michael Olmsted, Wily Peralta, Josh Prince, Mark Rogers, Logan Schafer, Josh Stinson, Tyler Thornburg and Rickie Weeks. Missing from that list, at least for now, are starting third baseman Aramis Ramirez, shortstop Jean Segura and right fielder Norichika Aoki.

Manager Ron Roenicke and his entire coaching staff will attend, as will former Brewers Jerry Augustine, Jim Gantner, Larry Hisle and Gorman Thomas, and prospects Coulter, Kentrail Davis, Drew Gagnon, Haniger, Taylor Jungmann, Hunter Morris, Jimmy Nelson and Roache.

A club official said the full autograph schedule would be announced at a later date, but that the system in place for previous On Deck events would hold. Some signers will be labeled "premier," and their autograph available via a random selection process with numbered coupons, which will be distributed beginning at 8 a.m. CT at the Delta Center. Coupon distribution will be available up to an hour before each designated autograph session.

Fans can receive one coupon per event admission ticket and can use that coupon to enter the random selection process for any one of the select players. There is no cost for coupons to enter the random selection process; however, those holding one of the 250 coupons that are chosen must pay $25 at the respective autograph stage to collect their player signature, with all autograph proceeds going to the Brewers Community Foundation.

Players and staff not included in the premier autograph list will not use the random selection process. Each of these players will sign 250 autographs at prices ranging from free to $10. The autograph opportunities are for signatures on photo cards provided by the team -- the Brewers say they cannot guarantee that any player will sign other memorabilia. 

The club's announcement noted that cash is the only acceptable form of payment for autographs.


(mlb.com)

Every year, when a new version of Sony’s “MLB: The Show” series hits stores, Ryan Braun and his Brewers teammates can’t wait to dig in and dig at each other about how slow/ugly/weak their characters are in the game.

“It’s a fun way for us to talk trash,” Braun said, laughing, he breaks down how his teammates’ play in the game. “It’s a way for us to see what guys they got right, what guys they didn’t get right in terms of the abilities they give different guys on the team.

“We always have fun with that, and hopefully it’s an opportunity for us to make fun of each other a little.”

This year, Braun is not only one of the best characters in the video game, he has a shot to be on the cover, thanks to Sony’s “MLB 13: The Show” cover vote. And while Braun currently sits in last place among the seven candidates, he thinks he still has a shot if Brewer Nation can come through late.

“First and foremost, they’ve never had a Brewer on the cover, so I think it would be cool to be the first Milwaukee Brewer on the cover of ‘The Show,’ ” Braun said. “It will be exciting for our fans and for our organization. The big-market teams always get all of the love, so it would be exciting to show a little bit of love to a smaller-market team. It seems like they always put American League guys on the cover, so it’s time to get the National League back on there.”

ESPN Playbook: Are you a big video game player?
Ryan Braun: I play a little bit of everything. I play “Call of Duty,” I play “Halo,” and I play a little bit of “Madden.” I’ve always been into the baseball games like "The Show," but there isn’t just one game I stick to or play too regularly.

When did you first start playing video games?
I remember when I had the original Nintendo with “Baseball Stars” and “Tecmo Bowl.” I remember playing “Tecmo Bowl” all the time. That’s my favorite game. I used to play as Walter Payton. He was unstoppable. [laughs] “Baseball Stars” was another one that was so much fun, and it’s probably the first game I remember playing regularly. It was just something that I really enjoyed and it increased the passion I had for playing the game of baseball.

What do you think of the “MLB: The Show” series? Is it realistic enough for you?
It is. The details of the game are just incredible. It’s amazing how far baseball video games have come and how accurate they are as far as getting a guy’s tendencies and routines and mannerisms down. The details they have from the stadiums to the fans, it really is incredible.

When you look at your character in the game, what do you think? Is he fast enough? Strong enough? Good-looking enough for you?
[laughs] I think they’ve done a pretty good job other than the fact that they still have me with the long hair. I cut my hair about a year ago, but other than the length of my hair, I think it’s pretty impressive. They’ve done a pretty good job.

I’ll let the producers of the game know, in “MLB 13,” give Braun a haircut.
Please. [laughs]

I checked the voting, and you’re currently in last place. Why do you think you’re falling so far behind?
I’m at a pretty big disadvantage because I don’t do Twitter, I don’t do Facebook … I don’t do any of the social media stuff. I think that puts me at a pretty big disadvantage, but I hear the people of Milwaukee are waiting until the end of the week to make their move, so there’s still hope.

During the season, do any of the Brewers bring video game systems on the road?
Some guys will bring their PlayStations with them on the road, and other guys like to play video games on the plane. It can get pretty competitive.

Besides campaigning for this cover vote, what else have you been doing in the offseason?
I’ve been traveling a little bit. I spent some time in Europe and in Costa Rica, just relaxing and enjoying my downtime. I live in Los Angeles in the offseason, so right now, I’m just enjoying this incredible weather. It’s 70 degrees in January, so I’m enjoying the weather, traveling, and keeping myself in shape, but I’m really looking forward to getting out to spring training in a little while.

I hear you’re going to be playing in the World Baseball Classic again this year. Why did you want to sign up to be a part of Team USA?
Last time I did it, I had so much fun. I think it’s an incredible opportunity to represent your country. There’s just something about wearing that USA jersey and hearing your national anthem that’s incredibly patriotic. It’s a really special experience. I’m honored to be playing, and really thrilled that I have that opportunity.

The atmosphere and the crowd vibe with all of the drums and flags was unlike any baseball crowd I’d ever experienced.

It really was. To a lot of guys, it was almost like playing winter ball with all the energy and passion. Team USA opened up against Canada in Canada, and the intensity was almost like a playoff game. It was pretty incredible, it really was. The atmosphere and environment really make it a lot of fun.

Last season, you had an incredible season. How important was it for you to put up such huge numbers a year after the scandal?
For me, the goal is always to be as consistent and productive as possible. I’ve never really focused on what anyone else really thinks, I’ve just always tried to be the very best player I can be and play as consistent as I can. But absolutely, I can say that last year there was some added motivation.

As a kid growing up, did you have a favorite baseball player who you used to play as in the video games, and then you eventually got to meet or play against?
Ken Griffey Jr. was my favorite player growing up, so it’s certainly been a lot of fun to get to know him and hang out with him a little bit. I wear his Swingman apparel, the cleats, the batting gloves, and all that stuff, so it’s been really cool to have the opportunity to get to know him. It’s really one of those surreal experiences to think about playing the Ken Griffey baseball video game as a kid, and then getting to meet him. Everything in major league baseball happens so fast, and you rarely get that chance to sit back and reflect about what you’re doing, but when something like that occurs, you really try to embrace that moment and enjoy.

Out of all of the players you’ve had the chance to interact with, who has given you the best advice in terms of finding success at such a high level?
The two best teammates I’ve ever had were Trevor Hoffman and Mike Cameron in terms of them being good guys, great leaders, and while both of them had great careers on the field, it’s more about how they carried themselves day in and day out. Through good and bad, success and failure, they were always the same person and that’s something I’ve always admired about them, and something I always strive to do as a player.

Millions of people are going to play as the virtual Ryan Braun in “MLB 13: The Show” in a couple of months when the game hits stores. What’s the one thing about hitting in real life that they’ll never be able to capture in a video game?
There’s something special about hitting a home run and getting to circle the bases. I think individually, there isn’t much greater feeling than hitting a home run and getting the opportunity to enjoy the moment a little bit as you round the bases. I don’t think they can ever quite capture that experience in a video game.

The only other thing left to capture is some virtual crime-scene tape down the third-base line in case your character ever trips rounding the bases. What did you think when you saw the creativity of your teammates for their chalk outline the day after your infamous fall?
I think the further I get away from that moment, the funnier it became. In the moment, it wasn’t funny. I could’ve got a home run, I could’ve got an extra run for my team, but moving away from that, it was pretty funny and one of the lighter moments you enjoy.

I guess that’s another note to the game’s producers, to get that chalk outline into the game in one of the cut scenes.
That would be too funny. [laughs] That would be cool.


(espn.com)

Ryan Braun said during a radio interview with WSSP-1250 in Milwaukee yesterday that he’ll participate in the World Baseball Classic.

Braun played for Team USA in 2009 and the Brewers left fielder has already started working out in preparation for this year’s event, which begins in early March.

Braun won the NL MVP in 2011 by hitting .332 with 33 homers and a .994 OPS in 150 games and followed that up by hitting .319 with 41 homers and a .987 OPS in 154 games last season, but finished runner-up in the voting to Buster Posey.


(nbcsports.com)