For Ryan Braun, the Road Awaits

PHOENIX – There were two roster sheets on the bulletin board in the Milwaukee Brewers’ clubhouse Thursday. One was the travel list for a charity game in Tucson, the other the travel list for a game in Surprise, Ariz. The players traveling were highlighted in yellow. Ryan Braun’s name was not highlighted at all.

Braun, who is 1 for 13 with a homer this spring, has not played a road game. That day will come, of course, and although spring crowds are generally tame, Braun will probably hear about his positive drug test – even though he won his appeal and was not suspended.

“I think it’ll be difficult for him,” catcher Jonathon Lucroy said. “If people knew the real story, what really happened, they wouldn’t be saying that or feeling that way. But that story might not ever come out; it’s not up to me.

“Honestly, I think he will get booed on the road because that’s just the way people are. They’re going to call him a cheater, even though he didn’t do anything. But knowing Braunie the way I do, he likes that challenge and he accepts it, and he’ll just get better from it.”

This is my column on Braun and the Brewers, but don’t look for insights from Braun. The home fans cheered him Thursday, but Braun had nothing to say, never appearing in the clubhouse when reporters were there and declining an interview request through a team spokesman.

Braun’s retreat, if it keeps up, will be unfortunate, because until now he has been one of the more engaging and accessible stars in baseball — not quite in the Torii Hunter/Johnny Damon class, but close.

Braun’s story changed drastically after the positive test, which, of course, never should have been leaked in the first place. Braun’s defense drama should have played out in private, and he has a right to feel betrayed by whoever broke that confidence.

But while Braun has talked about his problems with the collection process of his urine test, he has also chosen to hold back some details – to not share the “real story,” as Lucroy called it, in public. That is his right, of course, and Braun has his reasons.

Whatever Braun has told teammates and his inner circle apparently is more convincing of his innocence than what he has told the public. But without the knowledge of what really caused the positive test, the story feels incomplete, impossible to untangle. Maybe we never will.

The Brewers have moved on, and they retain a strong team, even without Prince Fielder. Having Braun for the full season gives them a chance to build on the momentum of their 2011 N.L. Central title, and leaves open their window as contenders. Given all the excitement in Milwaukee last season, when baseball’s smallest market set a franchise attendance record, that feels like a good thing.

“They’re definitely going to be excited, especially our opening day, playing against the Cardinals, they’re going to be tailgating pretty early,” closer John Axford said. “The vibe is always great in Milwaukee, and Braunie’s going to get a warm reception — so is everybody on the team. They thoroughly enjoyed last season, just like we did. Hopefully we can push a little bit farther this year.”


(nytimes.com)