Full Story: Ryan Braun's Connection with Biogenesis

Tuesday morning I read an article on the Milwaukee Brewers website talking about how Ryan Braun was enjoying a quiet offseason, unlike last season when he won his appeal on his 50-game suspension. Boy, was that short lived.

Photo: Yahoo! Sports

Tuesday night it was reported by Jeff Passan and Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports that they had obtained records of the moribund clinic Biogenesis that contained the name of left fielder Ryan Braun on multiple documents. This report is in connection with last week's report that Biogenesis had allegedly provided performance-enhancing drugs to Alex Rodriguez, Nelson Cruz, and Gio Gonzalez. Major League Baseball is investigating the Biogenesis clinic and Anthony Bosch to determine the magnitude of his alleged PED dispersion throughout the sport. Bosch has also been linked to Manny Ramirez, dating back to 2009. However, unlike Rodriguez, Gonzalez, and Cruz, Braun's name is not listed next to any specific PEDs. Ryan Braun’s name is among players on a list titled "Baseball" on a piece of scrap paper (right) with the dollar amounts of $20,000-$30,000 next to his name. Other names on the list included Alex Rodriguez, Gio Gonzalez, Melky Cabrera, Francisco Cervelli, and Danny Valencia. Another document has multiple references to Chris Lyons, one of many attorneys who represented Braun in his appeal last winter/spring. Braun said his attorneys retained Bosch as a consultant during his appeal for the positive test. Here is Braun's full statement in response to Yahoo! Sports' report:

"During the course of preparing for my successful appeal last year, my attorneys, who were previously familiar with Tony Bosch, used him as a consultant. More specifically, he answered questions about T/E ratio and possibilities of tampering with samples.

There was a dispute over compensation for Bosch’s work, which is why my lawyer and I are listed under ‘moneys owed’ and not on any other list.

I have nothing to hide and have never had any other relationship with Bosch.

I will fully cooperate with any inquiry into this matter."

                                                                                                 -Ryan Braun

 Though I have never studied law in any level of education, I don't think it is too farfetched that Braun and party would speak with Bosch for his appeal. Sure, Braun needs to explain why his name is mixed in with those other names, but everything else about his statement seems cogitable.

Tackling some of the critics questions here, let's look at the most brought up: Why would Braun and Co. consult with Anthony Bosch? Ryan Braun was going to be given a 50-game suspension before it was overturned by the successful appeal. Previously stated, Bosch was linked with Manny Ramirez at the time of Manny's 50-game suspension. If I wanted a proper defense, I would consult with someone who has experience with the situation I was in. Bosch wouldn't have been the only one Braun's people consulted for the entire appeal regarding the process of MLB's testing procedures. I'm sure there were many parties involved. But, I'm sure Bosch had some important information that helped Braun build his case. As far as Bosch being a creditable source, I'm sure that was brought up in full depth during Ryan Braun's appeal last winter.

Braun addressing media after last year's successful appeal.

Well, then: What does the 20K-30K dollar amounts have to do with Braun? That's pretty simple to explain. People don't talk for free. The sum of money listed next to Braun's name is likely the amount it costed Braun's people for talk to Bosch. Simple as that. There may have been a dispute in dollars, which may be the reason for the different dollar amounts.

But, but: Why didn't Braun come out and talk last week when the original report was released? I had only one explanation for this, until I read Wendy Thurm's article on FanGraphs. My original thinking was, as simple as it may sound, that it never dawned upon Braun that his name would show up in Biogenesis documents. The original report never listed him, so why think otherwise? But Wendy brought up a great point as well. Had Bosch been a private consult, Braun could have breached the law of confidentiality with Bosch. That would have caused more issues than there already are with this situation.
  
Ryan Braun’s Lead Attorney, David Cornwell, makes this statement regarding the Yahoo! Sports report:

“I was not familiar with Tony Bosch prior to Ryan Braun’s case.

In the 15 years that I have represented players facing discipline under the various professional sports leagues’ substance abuse and steroid programs, I have relied primarily, if not exclusively, on Dr. David L. Black and his team of scientists at Aegis Sciences Corporation in Nashville, TN as my experts with respect to scientific and other matters relevant to the testing of player specimens.

Bosch was introduced to me at the earliest stage of Ryan’s case. I found Bosch’s value to be negligible and, thereafter, I followed my prior practice of relying on Aegis in the preparation of Ryan’s winning defense.”

                                                                                                           - David Cornwell


Based on that logic, Braun's explanation seems credible. Now, let's get one thing clear. Braun's statement from yesterday does not make him exonerated. Also, Braun's statement raises a few questions that will likely have to answered when Major League Baseball investigates Braun. However, using some common sense and just knowing what occurred with Braun last year, it sure makes it seem Ryan will be cleared of this repeat accusation in as many offseason.

I'll finish with one last quote that was said by ESPN reporter T.J. Quinn:

"I see nothing that linked Braun to drugs from that clinic."

                                                                                       - T.J. Quinn

Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.

-Andrew Vrchota (@AndrewVrchota)

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