In the famous words of Ricky Ricardo on I Love Lucy, Milwaukee Brewers former National League MVP Ryan Braun "has some 'splaining to do."
Braun, who accepted a 65-game suspension handed down by Major League Baseball in relation to his involvement with Biogenesis anti-aging clinic, which was peddling steroids in the shadows, is expected to admit using performance enhancing drugs in when he failed a test and avoided suspension on a technicality.
According to reports, Braun sought the backing of several stars in his vocal defense of himself at the time. He tried to convince Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, whom he beat out for his 2011 MVP award, Reds first baseman Joey Votto, and Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to stand up for him. He also had Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in his corner at the time.
After testing positive, Braun went after the man responsible for collecting his urine sample, Dino Laurenzi Jr., and spread rumors about him being an anti-Semite-Braun is Jewish. Thanks to mistakes made during the handling of his sample Braun was able to escape punishment; his impassioned declarations of innocence prior to and following the ordeal only seemed to strengthen MLB's resolve to nab him and other high-profile cheats.
Now, having essentially admitted guilt by not fighting the current suspension, Braun is said to be considering coming clean. That didn't stop Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson from blasting him.
''I'm not surprised that he hasn't addressed people,'' Gibson said. ''He probably doesn't give a (expletive) about me. But you know, he's got it really good, and I was one of the guys who went through many things - work stoppages, etc. - so he could do that. So I would hope he respects me and everyone who stood up for him that came before he played the game."
Gibson, now sour after losing in the 2011 NLDS against a proven steroid cheat referenced that series in his harangue.
''I mean, all things considered, we should have won a game,'' Gibson said. ''All things considered, the last game, we tied them up and had a chance to win it. But there were other times in my career where I did overcome cheaters with my teammates. We had our chance.''
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