Braun saga a sorry one, and Raptors waiting on the Nuggets

If Ryan Braun comes up with “someone put a murky white substance in my water” as his excuse for an apparent positive drug test, I’m gonna go all The Champ and snap.

In case you missed it – and don’t imagine many did – there are various reports that Braun, merely the reigning National League MVP, tested positive for a high level of testosterone – a sign of PED use, as we all know – and faces not only a 50-game suspension but a blow to his reputation he may never shake.

For once, though, I’d like a guy to come clean, to man up and take the punishment for getting caught. Say something like, “yes, I did it; I was wrong, I got caught, I’ll take the sanctions I knew I’d get when I was trying to get away with it.”

But, no.

We get, from a spokesman:

“There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely no intentional violation of the program. While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident he will ultimately be exonerated."

Guess that could all be true (although “no intentional violation of the program” sends red flares flying into the sky) but if it isn’t, the blow to his character will be huge and unforgiveable.

But the story does bring to light the place we are with drug testing these days, which is an interesting situation.

There is no question that drug testing in all North American pro sports leagues is flawed but maybe it’s getting better.

I was going to touch on this when the NBA did its new CBA because they put some out-of-season testing into its program and at least that’s a start; the Braun story gives all testing a new prominence.

The best way – and one that no major league sports union is ever going to agree to, I don’t think – is to have random, out-of-season testing with no limits. Testers find you, you pee in a cup and if it’s in the middle of your off-season, tough noogies. You don’t take the test, you get suspended. That’s the only way to make it palatable and saleable to an increasingly skeptical general public and even then, it probably won’t be enough.

But it’d be a start and since the current message doesn’t seem to be getting through it has to be the next step.

-

To the Raptors for a second or two.

There are those who fear the Denver Nuggets may indeed match the offer sheet to Gary Forbes, which will leave the HOTH down a player.

After Milwaukee matched Denver’s offer to Luc Mbah a Moute, the simple fact is the Nuggets, with three guys playing in China, may need bodies and Forbes certainly is one of those.

Masai didn’t return a text over the weekend to see what he was thinking – can’t blame him, he’s been busy – but it wouldn’t surprise some people here if he didn’t keep Forbes.

And what would these guys do?

Probably not much; they may wait with an open roster spot, the could revisit Pietrus when he gets another month or so of rehab done on his knee or Bryan may find some other young one-year guy to come in and be a body.

Tomorrow’s the deadline so at least we may have something newsy to write about then.

-

Best sports event of the weekend?

Forget Manning, never mind Tebow, yawn to the UFC and who cares about the pucks.

I don’t care what you think of soccer, if you don’t watch El Clasico – Real Madrid vs. Barcelona – you’re cheating yourself.

Great game (although Real supporter Jose was singing a different tune Sunday – and as an “event” it’s unsurpassed for passion.

I know we don’t have anything even remotely resembling it here in Toronto, or in all of North America, and that’s just too bad. Again, it’s probably the proliferation of teams and the watered down nature of every season but we truly are missing out on something.

Even the most anticipated regular season games – Lakers-Heat, for instance, or Yankees-Red Sox – can’t hold a candle to it.

Too bad, we’re absolutely missing out.

-

Oh yeah, Dwane Casey says they’ve gone about 80-20 on defence through four practices with the Raptors and so far, none of the players I’ve talked to are bored.

Tells me it’s still very early in the process because that’s true grunt work and players want to get out and run rather than learn, history suggests.

-

This, saved from the weekend may get the masses chattering, I hope:

Q: Doug. Find myself agreeing with most of your musical choices. Thought there was no contest of " The Last waltz" as best music video - until I had watched Roy Orbison and his Black and White special.

When you have Bonnie Raitt, Jennifer Warnes, and K.D. Lang as three of the backup singers - a sign of how good it can be - take a look if you haven't; if you have, where does it fit in your judgement? It even has a sports connection - Kris Kristofferson is one of the celebs in the smoke filled nightclub audience.

(You knew he was a football/rugby player didn't you )

Bill W, Dresden

A: I knew of this but had forgotten and if you’re looking for one of the most impressive groups of artist on one stage, check this out.

(It’s still behind The Last Waltz, though)

-

Back to the Raptors?

Anthony Carter got into town late Sunday night, just at the end of the day’s second practice, I’m told, and his official signing should take place this morning.

He’ll be the third point guard – and that’ll thankfully quiet all the Jeremy Lin, Andy Rautins e-mails – and there is nothing at all wrong with the move.

This team needed to get older, to have some guys around who’ve been around, pros who can help a youngish team on its learning curve.

I have no clue how much Carter’s got left in the tank but that’s not the issue. He knows Casey from the time they were together in Minnesota, he can convey messages with a different voice, do the small things to help make kids better.

As backups go, he’s about a perfect fit. The very last thing this team needed in that spot is some young kid just starting out.

-

 

 

 

Comments

[doug]

not only will Braun's representatives try and manipulate the facts, so will Major League baseball and my bet is he will somehow circumvent the 50 game suspension...as he is a white, young upcoming star...the racist bias in baseball is palpable, imagine if this was Reyes or Fielder what would the reaction be??....this will slide as for one thing it's Bud Selig's old team...so nudge-nudge wink-wink...

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Outstanding Monday morning musical kickoff, Doug!
Sure hope Forbes happens. Either way, I give BCo high marks for filling out this roster already. Casey has a good balance of guys to work with now.
Now, keeping things in the same fine Roy O vein: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEPx9bkpkh8&feature=related
Cheers. Go Raps!

[Brian Llwyd]

You gotta check out "Classic Albums Life" for its "Last Waltz" performance.
They did it a few weeks ago at Massey Hall and it was absolutely note by note. Close your eyes and you were there.
They're doing it in Kitchener again - but meanwhile perform all the great LPs - Abbey Road, Woodstock, Dark Side of the Moon, etc.
And they're canucks.

[Eric D]

The reason that soccer has the most ferocious rivalries in any sport is because most teams are way older than north american sports teams and in some point in time they became really intense because they were about more than soccer many times rival clubs represented rival political or religious ideologies so there was real hate between the opposing teams. e.g. Rangers vs Celtic in Scotland or Lazio vs Roma in Italy

[Richie]

Hey Doug: Me thinks the players association e-mails the "Statement issued through the representative" the second one of these comes to light. Yes, I wish the player would man up too but just once I'd like the MLBPA (or any PA for that matter) to stand up and say something to the effect of, "We tell these guys over and over and over again not to do this but do you think they listen? Obviously not". Unfortunately, never gonna happen.

[sportschick]

El Clasico was great, and it's true that there are no rivalries in North American sports that can hold a candle to it. Sorry, Jose, but as long as Madrid have Moaninho at the helm, I'm cheering for Barca.

Your blog is a 'must read' on a daily basis, and I enjoy the digressions, but I'm glad that there is Raptors news again. :)

[Peter]

The problem with Braun, is that he's managed by CAA, the same group of agents who is always trying to re-organize the NBA to their liking. I think that group is as sleazy as they come, and because of that, we'll never know the truth, and whatever comes out as the truth will always have to be questioned.

[RaisedHawaiian]

Hey Doug, Keep up the great work and hope you and the family have a great holiday season!!! I like the Anthony Carter and Rasual Butler pick ups. Veteran presence and should be this year's version of the role Derrick Martin played when he tutored Jose. He'd be good for Jerryd.

[sam]

I just watched the link provided by D Mac -
In the recently released George Harrison Documentary, theres a story on how the Wilbury's came together. George asked Tom Petty if he wanted to come along when he recorded a song at a recording studio - The Studio just happened to be at Bob Dylans house. Roy was in town and was invited - along with Jeff Lynne. -There wasn't really a song, but one was written with the title Handle with Care - which George read on a packing crate at the recording studio.

[sportschick]

Oh, and Bargnani's flaws have been discussed ad nauseum in this space (comments, I mean) but his biggest flaw is that he's a Lazio fan. Really. Ask Paolo, I know he'd back me up on this if he were around.

[Lorie]

Good Morning, Doug!
My favourite Roy Orbison performance is this one. What a band. What a song. Could listen to it a hundred times in a row. Just might. :)
http://youtu.be/cwqhdRs4jyA

[james]

Closest match to Barcelona / Real Madrid in the North American context may have been pre-1968 Leafs / Habs when language and religion were defining characteristics that had been in place since the Plains of Abraham. Then the NHL expanded and the Leafs were Ballardized.

[Stavros]

Unfortunatly, for Raps fans, it seems that the more appropriate "stone" analogy for this franchise is the story of Sisyphus.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

@Stavros, good one! It's definitely all uphill all the time for this franchise. But for those who think it's all downhill all the time for this franchise, wouldn't the analogy be better paired with the "Rolling Stones"... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0U95Aj783s
Oh, and how about a Traveling Wilburys All Lookalike Band: Steve Nash as Tom Petty; Adam Sandler as Bob Dylan; Glen Knowler as George Harrison; how about Bob McCown filling in for Jeff Lynne; and maybe they could spring Rod Blagojevich from stir and plunk some Foster Grant's on him to pass for Roy Orbison (as long as he keeps his mouth shut)...
Cheers. Go Raps!

[Mr. Cook]

The defense from Braun may be true, but you're right in sensing the red flares because his rep's statement is common lawyer speak for we're going to make the other side prove their case and cast doubt on it. My instinct is the story is true. Braun's team has evidently decided that with the general good-will toward Braun the populace has, the fact he tested negative almost immediately afteward--and so on--that they can poke enough holes in the league's side of things to win the case. These disciplinary processes are actually pretty gritty legal battles and taking an approach that says 'We aren't going to launch a positive defense, you just aren't going to prove your side' is a great one to take because in the court of public opinion it seems as though you have nothing to hide (it is crucial to not make up any stories, just deny) and in the courtroom you simply do not provide the other side to cross examine any witnesses / hear testimony of any kind, even affadavit evidence, by not calling any. Half the players involved in problems like this end up being in trouble for lying--staying mum is a reasonable course of action, from his perspective. As a fan, gross.

[Mike D.]

He said "Hey Doug, my drinking water's been looking a little white and murky lately."

I said "PARDON?"

He said "I've been drinking something white and murky."

......

[Mike D.]

@Stavros, you're also playing right into the theme of The Champ:

I said "PARDON?"

He said "I said, your stones look like the stone of Sisyphus!"

........

[Lorie]

@D-Mac Ottawa:
Ha! Close his mouth he may, but before the singing even began I bet he'd sell his place in the band to the highest bidder. But, otherwise, nice picks in a cool exercise.

[Dan P]

The sports blog idea was great while the lockout was on but can we get back to Raptor coverage? Save the youtube links for myspace.

Blogger's note: Sorry, that ship has sailed. You'll get Raptors and other stuff.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Hey Doug, are the players actually taking whacks at that locker room rock? If so, please tell us safety goggles are mandatory. Imagine the injury report(s)...
And would you say no news is bad news on signing Forbes at this point? Cheers.

Blogger's note: No, Forbes is a natural that Denver would wait 'til the last minute either; a small point but it ties up Raptor money 'til it's over

[Andre]

Sorry i missed it, So peitrus is not a raptor?

[Tim H.]

"Tells me it’s still very early in the process because that’s true grunt work..."

They're trying to them how to do your job??

And, do we now have "HWSBN" on the team?

[kball]

Wow, another MLB player taking PEDs ... I am totally shocked. In other breaking news the sun will rise tomorrow and Doug Smith is not be at ringside for the next UFC event in Toronto.

As for the Doug Smith blog haters - keep up the great blogging Doug. I for one enjoy almost all of the side trails you take into other sports and pop-culture. As I am only just turned 40 it is also a great window into the life of an old geezer and his world of music. Roy Orbison was the blind guy, right? :)

[Jack]

So Ed Stefanski's title with the Raptors is Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. Is he the one in charge of signing players (free agents and the likes) or does that job still remain with Colangelo?

Blogger's note: Final decisions are, and always will be, Bryan's

[doug]

so Braun's failed PED test was and is double the highest ever failed test previously..the guy was loaded to the gills..be interesting to see how the league this one....and speaking of which do you see where the NBA's asking price is to high which resulted in the Clips losing interest, what alternative world does Stern reside in??..and as Gomer Pyle would say surprise/surprise not really Soprano got axed today, 2 bad coaches down Del Rio/Soprano, next on the list has to be Haley...and Prokhorov is running for President of Russia next year, can someone be president of a country and a NBA owner, Stern may kiboosh that as well...who knows with him lately...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sam_amick/12/12/clippers.chris.paul/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a2