There were three votes on the panel that ruled on Ryan Braun’s now-successful appeal of his 50-game suspension. One was the MLBPA’s, one was MLB’s, and one went to arbitrator Shyam Das.
MLB ‘Vehemently’ Disagrees With Ryan Braun Decision
It’s not too difficult to guess which way the MLBPA and MLB would vote on this issue; the deciding vote was the arbitrator’s.
MLB wasn’t happy about this ruling. In fact, they were very unhappy, as you can see from their official statement:
Major League Baseball considers the obligations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program essential to the integrity of our game, our Clubs and all of the players who take the field. It has always been Major League Baseball’s position that no matter who tests positive, we will exhaust all avenues in pursuit of the appropriate discipline. We have been true to that position in every instance, because baseball fans deserve nothing less.
As a part of our drug testing program, the Commissioner’s Office and the Players Association agreed to a neutral third party review for instances that are under dispute. While we have always respected that process, Major League Baseball vehemently disagrees with the decision rendered today by arbitrator Shyam Das.
Nevertheless, the ruling will stand and Braun will report to Brewers spring training on Friday.
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