Ryan Braun Suspended Without Pay By MLB

Ryan Braun was suspended without pay for the remainder of the 2013 season. Major League Baseball made the announcement on Monday.

Braun is a former National League MVP. The penalty appeared to be the first of possibly many related to a Florida clinic’s alleged distribution of performance-enhancing drugs to MLB players.

The MLB first tried to suspend Ryan Braun when he tested positive for drugs after the 2011 season, reports ABC News. However, an arbitrator overturned the penalty after it found the Brewers’ star’s urine sample wasn’t handled correctly.

Braun accepted the 65-game suspension, saying in a statement released by the organization, “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.”

Ryan Braun is the first player to be suspended in the Biogenesis investigation, according to USA Today. However, it is possible that the Brewers player won’t be the only one penalized in the investigation, which involved 20 players.

The list of players possibly facing discipline includes Alex Rodriguez, Bartolo Colon, Nelson Cruz, Melky Cabrera, and others. More than 80 MLB players’ names are present on Biogenesis documents that eventually made their way to the MLB. The organization struck a deal with Tony Bosch, the founder of the now-closed clinic.

Ryan Braun’s suspension was announced by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, who cited the Brewers star for multiple “violations” of baseball’s drug program and labor contract. The suspension will cost Braun about $3 million of his $8.5 million salary for the 2013 season.

It appeared that Braun’s suspension may have been negotiated by himself and MLB. Rob Manfred, MLB’s executive vice president of economics and league affairs, commented after the announcement:

“We commend Ryan Braun for taking responsibility for his past actions. We all agree that it is in the best interests of the game to resolve this matter. When Ryan returns, we look forward to him making positive contributions to Major League Baseball, both on and off the field.”

Were you surprised to hear of Ryan Braun’s suspension from Major League Baseball for the remainder of the season?

[Image via Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com]