Ryan Braun may have won his appeal, but he has lost plenty of fans. He will not be punished in any way for allegedly testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone, but the issue was one with the handling of the sample rather than the results themselves. Braun may not have taken anything illegal, but it certainly looks like he’s fortunate somebody failed to do their job properly. Fans know that, which is why Braun has already had to listen to hecklers during spring training.
According to the Journal Sentinel, Braun received a warm welcome from the Brewers fans in attendance in Phoenix on Sunday for his first game action since the controversy. Others were not as kind.
During the N.L. MVP’s first at-bat, one small group of fans chanted, “Urine sample! Urine sample!” Another fan screamed, “You’re a cheater!” when Braun strolled to the plate for the second time. He struck out both times.
“It’s certainly going to be an adjustment, but overall it is not something that really factors into my thought process or preparations, too much,” Braun said when asked about the fans.
Braun will certainly have to get used to it if he wants to continue his All-Star caliber play this season. He may still have a decent approval rating in Wisconsin, but there are many fans across the country who believe he got lucky with his appeal and are going to let him hear about it. Maybe a call to Barry Bonds would help.
