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[Little Green Yoda]

I didn't say that. You said there it's no incentive for them which I think is false. Any drug testing facility associated with mlb is now making a ton of money versus 30 years ago. Are you staying that is not an incentive?

Are you implying that if over a certain period of time where little/no positive results came back, that the MLB would voluntarily stop testing to cut back on expenses? Or that MLB "needs" positive results to generate press and would switch labs if they didn't get the results they wanted?

I really don't see any reason the lab(s) would lose out financially to the point where tampering with specimens is the best way out. At this point, drug testing is the MLB's PR insurance against roiding players - we already know the media scrutinizes baseball more than other sports regarding this issue. If anything, tampering is more likely to get the lab's contract with MLB terminated than provide financial security.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

Haha

 

[TheNatural]

I think its cool that you're spending so much time thinking about the uses of testosterone. You should sell that IMO.

Since you're a supporter, you'll get a free kit in the mail. It's going to be big mang.

 

[Dmncnby2k9]

Since you're a supporter, you'll get a free kit in the mail. It's going to be big mang.

The Natural goes so hard because look at his name. He believes in a baseball universe of natural skills. The Natural wants a natural league.

 

[mjc]

The Natural goes so hard because look at his name. He believes in a baseball universe of natural skills. The Natural wants a natural league.

Back to basics. I can dig that.

 

[alstein]

We'll never know the truth.

One possible scenario:
the test came up false positive, because that happens .1% of the time. It's hard to prove such things, so his lawyer went for the technicality. It's better to be accused and suspected of cheating then convicted of cheating.

Braun's going to be tested hard the rest of his career, if he slumps like say, Heyward did last year, without a shoulder to blame it on, then I'll suspect something- otherwise I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt provided he tests clean the rest of his career.

 

[JABEE]

Back to basics. I can dig that.

No Gloves.

 

[rekameohs]

Except that Robert Redford's character was totally juiced up to the max in The Natural. Hitting the ball up into the lights? Psh, time to check that piss.

 

[Little Green Yoda]

It doesnt. What it shows is that the sample is useless. That The MLB refused to allow for a DNA test shows that baseball was convinced something was potentially wrong with the sample as well. All signs point to this being a farce that never should have gone as far as it did.

Probably because doing so would be the modern day equivalent of asking OJ to try on the glove? Any DNA fragments from Braun's peepee that went into the cup probably got degraded by the urea, especially if it was left sitting around for 48 hours. There's little reason why his DNA would still be there even if the sample was untouched. Doing the DNA test would lead the uneducated arbitrator to the wrong conclusion that the sample wasn't Braun's when such a test would reveal nothing.

 

[newjeruse]

I think this is MLB to all this, as well as ESPN.

Braun has made some powerful enemies. The good thing for him is that unlike other sports, the umpires are high quality and don't have to take crap from the owners.

I just hope he has an early-season slump right now.

I don't see it. He made a good-faith defense after testing positive. What else was he expected to do?

 

[eznark]

Probably because doing so would be the modern day equivalent of asking OJ to try on the glove? Any DNA fragments from Braun's peepee that went into the cup probably got degraded by the urea, especially if it was left sitting around for 48 hours. There's little reason why his DNA would still be there even if the sample was untouched. Doing the DNA test would lead the uneducated arbitrator to the wrong conclusion that the sample wasn't Braun's when such a test would reveal nothing.

So the urine was out of the chain of custody long enough that it could no longer be scientifically identified as being Brauns? Weird.

He's a witch! Burn him!!

That's why CoC protocols exist, to avoid this shit.

 

[alstein]

I don't see it. He made a good-faith defense after testing positive. What else was he expected to do?

Not embarass MLB and ESPN by exposing their standards as a fraud and taking the suspension.

In other words, not defend himself and his reputation.

 

[Sanjuro]

Braun is the new Favre.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

I guess it is possible that someone tainted Braun's sample, that the collector was some devious Cubs fan...it's more likely that he's just another baseball player who took something he shouldn't' have, only lucked out on a technicality. I agree with the suspension being thrown out because of it, but lets be honest, fans and the media have never needed "evidence beyond a reasonable doubt" to convict a player of cheating in the court of public opinion. To me Braun is in the same boat as all the other suspected users now.

 

[talisayNon]

I'll be devastated if Ollie ever tests positive =(

 

[Sanjuro]

I'll be devastated if Ollie ever tests positive =(

Probably couldn't piss into the cup straight anyway.

 

[Windu]

Probably couldn't piss into the cup straight anyway.

Just a bit outside.

 

[Maxim726X]

We'll never know the truth.

One possible scenario:
the test came up false positive, because that happens .1% of the time. It's hard to prove such things, so his lawyer went for the technicality. It's better to be accused and suspected of cheating then convicted of cheating.

Braun's going to be tested hard the rest of his career, if he slumps like say, Heyward did last year, without a shoulder to blame it on, then I'll suspect something- otherwise I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt provided he tests clean the rest of his career.

Yes, and Manny took hCG because he was worried about being pregnant.

Again, outlandish scenarios are always possible (i.e. someone pouring synthetic testosterone into Braun's sample)... In the same way that the Mets going 162-0 is possible. When there's smoke there's usually fire.

 

[newjeruse]

Not embarass MLB and ESPN by exposing their standards as a fraud and taking the suspension.

In other words, not defend himself and his reputation.

That's not a reasonable expectation and their standards were not exposed as fraudulent. Perhaps the process was exposed as being open to error, but that exists in any drug-testing program.

 

[Little Green Yoda]

So the urine was out of the chain of custody long enough that it could no longer be scientifically identified as being Brauns? Weird.

He's a witch! Burn him!!

That's why CoC protocols exist, to avoid this shit.

Yeah, the MLB fucked up by not doing things by protocol. But I don't think The Natural or anybody else is arguing that Braun shouldn't have won his appeal. It just seems inconceivable to those us outside the state of Wisconsin that there's some grand conspiracy between the evil ESPN, the meddling lab techs, and the nefarious MLB to taint Braun's MVP/reputation.

And there's no scientific evidence to show that synthetic testosterone spontaneously generates in a sealed cup of urine (refrigerated or otherwise), so barring tampering...

 

[Dmncnby2k9]

Just a bit outside.

If the test was taken in Philly, he'll get the piss in the cup.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

if the test is so important, why isn't MLB paying for same day Fed-ex? they can fucking afford it.

 

[Sanjuro]

if the test is so important, why isn't MLB paying for same day Fed-ex? they can fucking afford it.

Maybe UPS is the official shipping provider of MLB. The funny thing is I'm being half serious.

 

[Dmncnby2k9]

Maybe UPS is the official shipping provider of MLB. The funny thing is I'm being half serious.

I think its DHL. Unless that was a few yrs ago. Remember their commercials about shipping things in spring training.

 

[eznark]

As #Brewers OF's gathered, they asked Nori Aoki if he has a nickname. @Brewers Ryan Braun said ninja. After tons of laughs it stuck #ninja

Juicer and racist!

 

[McNei1y]

Juicer and racist!

ESPN headline tomorrow and they'll talk about it for 40 hours. They'll somehow connect it with Linja.

 

[darkiguana]

After all of this all I can say is that I have no idea whether Braun doped or not. So unless he fails another test, or some other evidence comes out(ie, he is linked to a Balco type organization) I am going to consider him clean from here on out. Anyway, I don't follow the brewers that closely so I really did not have a dog in this hunt.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

I think its DHL. Unless that was a few yrs ago. Remember their commercials about shipping things in spring training.

can't be. DHL doesn't do domestic anymore, and UPS has same day service too. HOWEVER, I think DHL does have a helicopter service but it's only within new york city.

 

[Sanjuro]

It's official. Beer is banned in the Red Sox clubhouse.

MLB 2012: The Quest for Thirst Quenching.

 

[Little Green Yoda]

John Sickel's Top 120 prospects list

1) Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals
2) Matt Moore, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays
3) Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels
4) Yu Darvish, RHP, Texas Rangers
5) Jurickson Profar, SS, Texas Rangers

6) Shelby Miller, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
7) Trevor Bauer, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
8) Manny Machado, SS, Baltimore Orioles
9) Jesus Montero, C, Seattle Mariners
10) Julio Teheran, RHP, Atlanta Braves

 

[Jazzy Network]

Bobby V is more interested in fake mustaches than beer.

 

[Mr. Enigma]

Charlie Manuel said today that Ryan Howard has had a setback and has left camp to see the doctor who did his foot surgery.

 

[newjeruse]

I predict he'll be out anywhere from another 5-125 days.

 

[weekend_warrior]

Who are the early favorites for MVP this year?

I'll say Cano in the AL, Pence in the NL.

 

[acheron_xl]

Who are the early favorites for MVP this year?

I'll say Cano in the AL, Pence in the NL.

Surely you jest. He's nowhere near that good.

 

[sf2fanatic]

Who are the early favorites for MVP this year?

.

Cabrera, Uggla

 

[newjeruse]

Jose Bautista in both leagues.

 

[acheron_xl]

Jose Bautista in both leagues.

I hear he's also the early favorite to win NFL MVP, the Nobel prize in science, and the Palme d'Or.

 

[ToxicAdam]

It's official. Beer is banned in the Red Sox clubhouse.
.

I think PECOTA needs to factor this in.

 

[rekameohs]

Adam Dunn in AL, Jamie Moyer in NL

 

[yankeehater]

Charlie Manuel said today that Ryan Howard has had a setback and has left camp to see the doctor who did his foot surgery.

That is such great news. I hope he comes back around the all star break. The more rest the better.

 

[Mr. Enigma]

Also, Joel Zumaya is already reporting elbow discomfort after throwing just 13 pitches and has been shut down. He will have a MRI Monday.

 

[eznark]

Fielder and Braun will be the MVP's. Going to be glorious.

 

[darkside31337]

AL MVP: Evan Longoria
AL ROTY: Matt Moore
AL Cy Young: Matt Moore

NL MVP: Carlos Beltran
NL ROTY: Julio Teheran
NL Cy Young: Cliff Lee

These will be 100% accurate.

 

[yankeehater]

AL MVP: Evan Longoria
AL ROTY: Matt Moore
AL Cy Young: Matt Moore

NL MVP: Carlos Beltran
NL ROTY: Julio Teheran
NL Cy Young: Cliff Lee

These will be 100% accurate.

I hope you are right about the NL Cy Young, but no way is Beltran winning the MVP.

 

[eznark]

We all know the Blue Jays will sweep the AL awards this year thanks solely to their glorious new uniforms.

 

[Enron]

AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera
AL ROTY: Yu Darvish
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez

NL MVP: Joey Votto
NL ROTY: Bryce Harper
NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay

 

[eznark]

Aoki and Darvish gonna sweep ROTY for the Japanese.

My real prediction is that by the end of Spring Training Aoki will be starting in right and Hart will be at first.

 

[vas_a_morir]

Aoki and Darvish gonna sweep ROTY for the Japanese.

My real prediction is that by the end of Spring Training Aoki will be starting in right and Hart will be at first.

You got a solid ballplayer with Aoki. I watched him in Japan a lot, as he played for my favorite team. Breaks my heart he left Yakult for the Brewers, honestly. He's fast and doesn't strike out very often. I'd imagine, if he has a solid showing in Spring Training, he would be batting in the 2 spot. He made Josh Whitesell (formerly of the Diamondbacks) look like Joey Votto his first year with the team. I hope to see big things from him, just as long as his interests do not conflict with my own.

 

[eznark]

Honesty that prediction is more of a Gamel indictment than Aoki praise. I have no idea how he will fare against actual baseball pitchers.