Ryan Braun representatives deny any 'intentional violation' of performance-enhancing drugs

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
12/12/2011
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Urine sample reported showed high levels of testosterone from synthetic means

Representatives for Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun say the athlete will "ultimately be exonerated" of suspicion that he used banned performance enhancing drugs during this past season. Left fielder Braun, the National League's 2011 "Most Valuable Player" currently faces a possible 50-game suspension after a urine sample tested positive for a high level of testosterone caused by a synthetic substance.

Left fielder Ryan Braun, according to a text message is 'not really allowed to say anything right now,' according to the Web site. 'My day will come soon, though,' the message read.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - In a statement given to CNN, Braun's spokesman denied any "intentional violation" of Major League Baseball rules. The 28-year-old Braun was voted his league's Most Valuable Player after batting .332, hitting 33 home runs, producing 111 RBI and stealing 33 bases during the 2011 season.

Brewers' owner Mark Attanasio, in a statement to CNN Sunday, said there is "an incomplete set of facts" and warned against "a rush to judgment.

"Ryan deserves the right to be heard," Attanasio says. "We are committed to supporting Ryan to get to the truth of what happened in this unfortunate situation.

"We are dealing with an incomplete set of facts and speculation," Attanasio added. "Before there is a rush to judgment, Ryan deserves the right to be heard."

Major League Baseball, which has a policy of not releasing drug test results before they are appealed through arbitration, has not commented on the report.

A urine test submitted by Braun during the playoffs in October allegedly returned a positive result for a high level of testosterone. A second test on the sample indicated it was caused by a synthetic substance, ESPN reported.

"There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely no intentional violation of the program," Braun spokesman Matthew Hiltzik said. "While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident he will ultimately be exonerated."

Braun, according to a text message is "not really allowed to say anything right now," according to the Web site. "My day will come soon, though," the message read.

The Brewers owner said the team has heard from the baseball commissioner or the drug testing officials about Braun's alleged violation.

"Accordingly we do not have access to any of the facts or knowledge of any of the circumstances that are being circulated in the media with regard to Ryan Braun," Attanasio said.

� 2011, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Keywords: Ryan Braun, urine test, performance-enhancing drugs, testosterone

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