Ryan Braun hit .332 last season and had 33 homers and 111 RBIs, but the most important stat surrounding Braun now is 1 — the number of drug tests he failed last season en route to becoming the NL MVP.
Last night, in his first public comments since news of the failed test broke in December, Braun did not admit to anything while accepting the MVP award at the Baseball Writers Association of America’s annual dinner at the Hilton in Midtown.
“I’ve always loved and had so much respect for the game of baseball,” Braun said after getting a warm reception from the crowd. “Everything I’ve done in my career has been with that respect and appreciation in mind. And that is why I’m so grateful and humbled to accept this award.”
The 28-year-old outfielder tested positive for a substance that is banned by baseball — reportedly a performance-enhancing drug — but Braun’s representatives have blamed the result on a medication he took for a “private medical issue.”
His representatives also said the level of testosterone was so high, it could not have been done purposely. He began to have his appeal heard last week before baseball arbitrator Shyam Das.
If the appeal fails, Braun faces a 50-game suspension to begin the season.
He began his speech last night by acknowledging other contenders for the NL MVP, like the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp, Albert Pujols — formerly of the Cardinals — and the Diamondbacks’ Justin Upton.
Some would have preferred he let one of them have the hardware.
It’s not a good sign when an MVP thanks the Players Association in his speech, but Braun is not in a normal situation.
“Sometimes in life, we all deal with challenges we never expect to endure,” said Braun, who was joined last night by Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, general manager Doug Melvin and manager Ron Roenicke. “We have opportunities to look at challenges and view them either as obstacles or opportunities. I’ve chosen to view every challenge I’ve ever faced as an opportunity, and this will be no different. I’ve always believed a person’s character is revealed through the way they deal with moments of adversity.”