But I’m getting tired of all the pundits who are saying that just because Ryan Braun’s appeal has been upheld, that doesn’t make him “innocent.”
Perhaps not, but why are they so abso-freaking-lutely sure that he’s “guilty” (and how do they define that word)? Just because the panel of three arbiters cited concerns with the way the sample was handled as their criterion for voting in favor of Braun doesn’t mean he isn’t innocent.
I’ve read quite a few thoughtful pieces from those in Braun’s corner but they seemed to be far outweighed by the nay-sayers who refuse to believe anything but the worst, calling for asterisks (of the mind if not on the printed page). They kind of remind me of Max Mercy, the sportswriter in The Natural (played by Robert Duvall in the film version), who sets himself up as the conscience of the fans while he angles for a story. “I make or break the likes of you,” he tells Roy Hobbs in one scene.
If I was Braun, I would, of course, be happy to avoid the suspension, but I think I would want to go further in having my name totally cleared. I hope he will pursue further litigation, as he mentioned in his Feb. 24 press conference, that it’s not just the outraged lip service we so often hear from players who claimed to have been wronged.
Just sayin’.
My commentary on The Huffington Post can be read here.
is available on Amazon.com,
Comments on this entry are closed.