As many little leaguers and fans know, back in September of 2011, right before the playoffs, Ryan Braun took a urine sample…It came back positive for PEDs. Ryan Braun claimed that he was innocent.  He claimed that the urine sample was tampered with in the process of shipping it off to get it tested.  All evidence looked to be in favor of Ryan Braun, and after a long offseason of trying to prove that he was innocent, Braun’s possible 50 game suspension was overturned on February 24, 2012.

            During his press conference, Braun was ecstatic about winning the appeal.  This is part of what he said to all of his fans, “We provided complete cooperation throughout, despite the highly unusual circumstances. I have been an open book, willing to share details from every aspect of my life as part of this investigation, because I have nothing to hide. I have passed over 25 drug tests in my career, including at least three in the past year….. I am very pleased and relieved by today’s decision. It is the first step in restoring my good name and reputation. We were able to get through this because I am innocent and the truth is on our side. ”  After this press conference, nearly every Brewers fan believed Braun and supported him.  Every little kid re-hung their posters of him in their room, and everyone wore his jersey again, and most importantly he was the hero of Milwaukee.  He was my hero.

            In the 2012 season, Ryan Braun went on a tear.  He had a repeat of his 2011 MVP season; he had  a .312 BA, hit 41 HR, 8 more than his MVP season in 2011, and had 112 RBI, 1 more than his 2011 season.  Braun received support from all of the Brewers fans in Milwaukee. 

            During the offseason, I had a chance to meet Ryan Braun at Brewers on Deck.  Getting to meet the man that you look up to, model your batting stance after, your hero is a pretty big deal and may I tell you, it was one of the greatest days of my life.  I had a private meeting with him for about 5 minutes, and it was one of the best 5 minutes ever.  He signed a bunch of autographs for me, shook my hand, took a picture with me, and talked with me.  It was an incredible experience.  After that moment, I thought that I will always be his biggest fan, and I will always support him.  He was super nice and a great guy.  Here is a picture of me and him:

            Also in the offseason, Miami New Times released an article that claimed that Anthony Bosch had most likely provided banned substances by the MLB to some of the games biggest players: Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees, Gio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals, Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers, Jesus Montero of the Seattle Mariners, Bartolo Colon of the Oakland Athletics, Melky Cabrera of the Toronto Blue Jays, and the biggest name of all, Ryan Braun.

            With Ryan Braun being on that list, and becasue he was my hero, I chose not to believe it.  All of my family and friends asked me about it daily, and my answer was always the same, “I choose not to believe that my hero would make such a descion as to cheat in a game that he loves.”  The season started, and I kept telling myself the same thing everyday:  Braun was innocent.  Early into the year, Braun injured his thumb the same day that I broke my pinkey.  I thought it was an odd, yet cool coincidence.  After he got injured, all the talk about him taking steroids simmered down, and I thought that the MLB might not be after Braun anymore.  Braun came back from his injury not too long ago, and was back to his normal self; he was producing and acting as a team player.

JULY 22,2013

            I was at volleyball camp, and afterwards I checked my phone.  I had 3 new messages saying, “Braun is suspended for the remainder of the season.”  I didn’t know what to think, I closed out of my messaging and quickly looked at the top stories of the day, and all I saw were stories that Braun was suspended for the remainder of the season with no pay.  I started to get angry.  I couldn’t believe it; I didn’t believe it.  I deleted all of the messages and tried not to think about it, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it.  My hero cheated; Braun lied to us.  We all supported him, and he convinced us 17 months ago that he was innocent and that he never took PED’s, but he did. 

            When I got home I turned on MLB Network, and just w atched as they talked and ridiculed my now former hero.  I went upstairs and removed my autographed photo of him from my wall, and replaced it with a Lance Berkman one.  Braun released a statement, “As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect. I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions. This situation has taken a toll on me and my entire family, and it is has been a distraction to my teammates and the Brewers organization. I am very grateful for the support I have received from players, ownership and the fans in Milwaukee and around the country. Finally, I wish to apologize to anyone I may have disappointed — all of the baseball fans especially those in Milwaukee, the great Brewers organization, and my teammates. I am glad to have this matter behind me once and for all, and I cannot wait to get back to the game I love.”  As a Little Leaguer you pick that one, or two guys, and you always look up to them as heroes.  One of mine betrayed me.

            As the day went on, more statements were released.  Some players were hurt, upset and frustrated; some couldn’t wait for him to get back to the Brewers.  Skip Schumaker said, “I can’t stand it. [The use of PEDs] needs to be eliminated from the game. I have an autographed Braun jersey in my baseball room that I’ll be taking down. I don’t want my son identifying what I’ve worked so hard to get to and work so hard to have — I don’t want him comparing Braun to me.”

            Bob Costas, a broadcaster for MLB Network stated, “He is the Lance Armstrong of baseball.”

            Statements like these are upsetting.  It made me realize that you can’t always trust your heroes.  It’s hard for me to think about, but I have to start searching for a new hero.  Probably many Little Leaguers in Milwaukee are thinking the same thing.  I just hope that I can trust the next one….