^^This, esp. the 2nd paragraph, 2nd & 3rd sentences. I'm guessing that's why it was a written statement. I'm about 10 times more effective expressing myself accurately & concisely in writing than via spoken word. Especially given that that stuff has to be difficult for Braun to own up to, and knowing he'll eventually still get grilled by the media & fans, I could see why it'd be so much easier to get the first word out in the most effective & efficient way possible rather than facing that much more directly the risk of potentially even greater vulnerability, awkwardness, and hostility of a press conference. As much skepticism as is out there now about him, keep in mind that Braun's been thoroughly and publicly shamed, discredited, & humiliated -- to use TH's verbiage the day after the suspension was announced, "annihilated." Braun will still face incredible heat -- and probably justly so. But this gives the media & populace something to chew on -- perhaps taking a wee bit of the edge off -- instead of chewing directly on Braun himself, so to speak, all over again right away. I think his letter to Brewers fans (a la Mark A.'s letters) was also a very wise move. Yea like Braun wrote most or any of that himself lmao.