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Fwiw (nothing), I read your question in the same manner as Backupcatchers seems to have read it. Fwiw (nothing), I read it as Prophet asking a question. Nowhere in his post did he indicate he was suggesting that was the better option or should have been done.

My statement is saying that the measurement tool (pythagorean theory) isn't very accurate, as it can be effected by various things (as Ender pointed out). Its a rule of thumb to go by. The combined accuracy of the pythagorean W-L estimates for MLB in 2011 is 95.8% (96.06% over last 5 years). While not as good as OXS (which is reportedly ~98% accurate), I'll gladly take it and use it. One blow out win or loss against the junk part of a bullpen can swing it wildly. One bad series in coors can throw it way out of whack etc. It is as prone to error as any metric when using a small sample. You just need to know how to use it.

A spokesman for Braun confirmed the positive test Saturday and issued a statement: This is an interpretation of the statement by the author of the article, not Braun's representative. Their comment is in the little things called quotation marks ("). "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." It's pretty clear his organization is NOT admitting guilt or a violation. They have made no comment on the test and it's findings other than to say he is not in violation of the testing program. That is clear. It's an assumption to say he has failed because of these comments and based on the rumor from ESPN. Once again I will reiterate that I wouldn't be surprised if he is found to be in violation of the PED testing, but there is nothing at this point to confirm that is the case.

So now you are hoping Braun's camp confirmed testing positive and claimed they would prove his innocence even though MLB didn't find that he tested positive? I've added it to my signature in case you missed it, but his camp has not confirmed he tested positive.

He failed the test. Braun has confirmed that. [/b] The drug test is carried out by MLB. They have not released any violation of the PED policy based on a failed drug test. They are the only ones who can rule on this issue. Doesn't matter what ESPN says. I believe the only way Ryan can prove his "innocence" is through a technical finding that he didn't fail the test. I am pretty sure that if MLB finds he failed the test there is no way to appeal that process and we will hear an official announcement from MLB. There is a way to have measurements that are outside the acceptable and to not "fail" the test, but they are hard to prove. As I stated earlier, I will not be surprised if ultimately Ryan is in violation of the PED policy, but right now there is no credible information that leads me to be convinced of that, only rumor from a sports station that doesn't have a single journalist working for them.

Would we be saying the same things here if say...Votto, Bruce, Holliday, etc was the person involved and not Braun? I guess I don't really belong on this planet anymore because I actually look at the source before I jump to a conclusion. There really are no "journalism" standards anymore so any media outlet can be driven by various reasons to reveal a story that isn't fact. At this point in time, MLB has this information for > 6 weeks and is still collecting information. For those that keep saying that no one has ever successfully appealed - look back at MLB comments on this topic - THERE ARE NONE BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T RELEASED ANY INFORMATION OR FINDINGS YET. No ONE has ever successfully appealed because those who successfully appealed were never announced to be in violation of MLB PED testing. QED

Where does this 'innocent until proven guilty' stuff keep coming up? This isn't a court of law. The comparisons to people getting arrested are off base. Show me one comment or announcement BY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL that he failed a drug test. If not, then it is just RUMOR. He hasn't failed anything, hence he is not guilty. The really great thing about the internet is that lots of information is now at your fingertips. The bad thing is that everyone thinks they have a valid opinion about everything and can spout $%+# without any regard for their reputation. ESPN is reporting rumor about information that MLB has had for at least 6 weeks and have not acted upon. To me it's clear that they have not come to a determination of guilt yet (releasing the test results) for a good reason. It could turn out that Ryan ultimately will be in violation of MLB drug testing and face a 50 game suspension, but until that organization (MLB) makes the announcement it is just a rumor. ru·mor? ?[roo-mer] noun 1) a story or statement in general circulation withoutconfirmation or certainty as to facts: a rumor of war. 2) gossip; hearsay: Don't listen to rumor. 3) Archaic . a continuous, confused noise; clamor; din. verb (used with object) 1) to circulate, report, or assert by a rumor: It is rumored thatthe king is dead. vi·o·late? ?[vahy-uh-leyt] verb (used with object), -lat·ed, -lat·ing. 1) to break, infringe, or transgress (a law, rule, agreement,promise, instructions, etc.). 2) to break in upon or disturb rudely; interfere thoughtlesslywith: to violate his privacy. 3) to break through or pass by force or without right: to violatea frontier. 4) to treat irreverently or disrespectfully; desecrate; profane:violate a human right. 5) to molest sexually, especially to rape.

I have read that a second, "more comprehensive" test resulted in a positive for synthetic testosterone, and now someone else is saying that a second test (requested by Braun) turned up negative. Which is it? From what I've read: One sample was taken from Braun and it revelead a high T/E ratio. A second test on the one sample was performed to identify the T increase and it was found to be synthetic testosterone. When Ryan was informed of the positive test he asked for another sample to be taken and that second sample came back negative when tested.

Somebody leaked this. MLB probably can't say anything under the provisions of the CBA while this thing is being arbitrated. If it had nevef been leaked, and Braun was cleared, nobody ever would have known. And this is the main reason I believe we should withhold judgement. I doubt MLB annonces these until they are 99.9% sure they aren't going to reverse the ruling. The fact they haven't released anything means they are still in the process of evaluating what information they have. I believe in most cases where a player can explain the results we never hear anything from MLB.

Melvin took the 2 lowest ceiling starters and position player who never profiled to be an everyday MLB player. Yeah I'm sure Riccardi said "take any 3 players from our organization because we really want the future HOF Lyle Overbay and we will pay everything". Sheeeshh

I like objectivity. I also like the idea of innocent until proven guilty. MLB has known for at least 6 weeks and has not announced anything officially. I will wait until they actually rule on his suspension before I pass judgement.

but in MLB no case has EVER been overturned. How do you know? I would hope MLB would only officially announce cases where they are clearly not wrong. I think they know that any exoneration is going to still taint the player so they, hopefully, do most of the checking and getting th players evidence before they release anything. It is also in MLBs best interest not to have their test results overturned publicly.

1) Ryan Braun has not failed a PED test. Not until MLB releases a statement will it be official. Is Chris Paul a Laker? 2) Is it possible that he took a PED? Sure, most players probably do. There's still gaps in the testing process. I wouldn't be surprised if any Brewer tested positive. 3) If he is OFFICIALLY guilty of taking a PED then he's not very smart. If he ends up not being officially guilty then I would hope Ryan gets some good legal advice and takes ESPN to task.

if the plan is to go all in next year i would do the following: 1) get a RH decent defensuve RF. move Hart to 1B and platoon gamel/ new Rf, OR, get a decent RH defensive 1B and platoon gamel at 1B. 2) get a super defense SS with the range to get to liners down the 3B line, bat almost irrelevant but with a hint of obp skills. 3) platoon the current black hole 3B with taylor green. casey should never face a RH pitcher and should be yanked for defense late in the game. 4) bullpen - keep Saito, get 2 decent RH to replace hawkins and FRod. turn parra into a reliever and see if he can be successful as a loogy, also see if braddock can be resurrected. keep estrada for long. prralta in AAA as insurance for the rotation and possible replacement of wolf in 2013. 5) platoon morgan/gomez in Cf.

Yuni spot is the only one I worry about. Don't overpay for Furcal or Reyes, but upgrade. I always chuckle to myself whenever someone mentions replacing Betancourt. Yuni will be our starting SS come opening day 2012. Melvin did nothing all year to upgrade the position and while he mouths off about some advanced metrics he clearly doesn't understand the Crapitude that is YunE6. In fact, given Dougies over emphasis on a few AB, Yuni's post-season play solidified his hold on the SS position for another year.

there play in AZ was much worse than in STL and they still pulled it out. true we need 2 wins now, but we need to out hit the cards in game 6 and hope Yo can shut them down in game 7. still very doable.....

another crappy performance from zack, if he can't get 4 outs an inning trade him.....

i've resigned myself to Yuni = Yuni, but it's getting old with Weeks = Yuni, now Prince =Yuni. sheesh! can't these children grow up and play like major leaugers on the ROAD.

could lucroy throw out mo vaughn trying to steal second while hoping in a potato sack?

ok. question for the roenicke huggers who think rickie is still damaged goods from his injury: why is he still hitting in the !+#*@@$ 5 hole?

braun was just helping prince......not hit into another dp

why is kotsay still in the game?

wolf's head would explode if he had to throw to luc. not ph gomez for morgan is just plain roenicke.

i am so not in love with nyjer morgan.

i love jerry hairston.