Milwaukee Brewers: Frauds

While Alex Rodiguez pursues a longshot Federal case against MLB, we should remember that these court cases don't always end the way we all expect.  Remember, Bountygate in the NFL, where the suspensions were overturned?  This after the NFL had asserted they had a mountain of evidence to justify the harshest penalties in league history.

Remember everyone thought Roger Clemens would be found guilty of lying under oath about steroids? We were wrong.

Has Barry Bonds  ever spent a day in jail for perjury (lying under oath about steroids)?   He got sentenced to 30 days house arrest, community service, and a $4,000 fine.  And he's appealing that!

But Ryan Braun was the real shocker.  He was caught with a failed drug test.  Braun attacked the process, and even the intentions of the collector.   So much as to claim the Urine collector was anti-semitic cubs fan. We were shocked to have the arbitrator  rule in his favor over technicalities.  Then after we all thought he was probably guilty but had gotten away with it, Braun's  name comes up in the same Bosch scandal as Arod. This time he copped a plea.  Ryan Braun agreed to a 65 game suspension, which neatly coincided with the rest of the 2013 season.  A year when he was struggling with injuries anyway.  Now he gets a fresh start for 2014?

general manager Doug Melvin:

"He admitted he made a bad decision. I don't think we have to have any more details in that regard. He served his penalty," Melvin says. "You just hope that he understands that he's not going to be able to make that kind of decision again."

The story goes on to talk about how the team is counting on Ryan Braun for the upcoming season.  But did you notice the reference to "a" bad "decision" singular?  This is how it starts.  The Brewers are Frauds.  Major League Baseball are frauds.  They want to attack Arod as being something and someone unacceptable, but then agree to accept Braun back with no qualms?  I'm sure Arod is guilty of using illegal steroids.  And of lying.  And of obstructing the investigation.  And of actively trying to do many things to cover up.  But so was Braun.  They both deserve harsh punishments.  I'm fine with both being banned from baseball like Pete Rose.  If you feel that strongly about steroids, do it.  But Braun traded on his popularity, on baseball fan's desire to believe in the players, and worst of all our sense of fairness.  He lied to investigators, the public, everyone.  He accused the collector of being a bigot and out to get him.  All in a selfish attempt to get away with cheating.  How could all of this be fairly characterized as "a bad decision",  We still don't know how long he used them.  How much he used.  What was the impact on his game.  But Doug Melvin and the Brewers don't need or want to know.

According to the article, they really don't have a choice because of their economics.  Well they do have a choice.  They could force him to do a full and real mea culpa.  With details..  With personals apologies to specific people.  Full press conferences.  Yes plural.  No, "I'm trying to move past that" or "that's in the past" at any point.  Also, some further commitment to atone.  Perhaps, charity or community service that would be extremely humbling.  If he didn't want to, cut him and take whatever ramifications come with that. 

I'm sure they plan to be around long after Ryan Braun. They should act like the organization is bigger than one person.  Sure, we all make mistakes. But we have to make sure that the game in this case, or society at large is vindicated, and everyone is striving to be and do better at all times.