TTM Success - Ryan Braun

This TTM success from Ryan Braun was a bit of a surprise.  I had seen that he had signed for some folks, but it always seems like I send too those types of guys too late and never get my stuff back.  I found this cool 2008 Topps player propaganda posters card and sent it on. The card looks really cool.

Braun (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2007 to 2020 for the Brewers.  He had 1,963 hits, 352 home runs and a .296 batting average.  He was a 6-time All Star (2008 to 2012 and 2015).  He led the NL in hits in 2009 and led the NL in runs and homers in 2012.  He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2007 and NL MVP in 2011. His career went off the rails when he failed a testosterone test and suspension in 2011 and his connection to Biogenesis that resulted in another suspension.

While he will likely never get into the Hall of Fame, he did receive a spot on the Brewers Wall of Honor.

I mailed to Braun on October 9 and got the card back on October 23, for a 14-day TAT. 

A Nice PWE From Night Owl

I got a nice envelope in the mail the other day from fellow blogger Night Owl that contained 5 more 2013 Topps Emerald parallels that I needed for my set.  His PWE put me at a total of 146 cards, so out of the 330 needed to complete the set, I am now just over 44% complete.  Woo Hoo!  Until Series 2 comes along, then I will need to get all of those, too.  But, I digress.

Thanks for the cards, Night Owl!  He also sent me a great 2013 Topps Gold parallel Robert Andino.  I kind of miss him on this year's club.  Flaherty definitely isn't getting the job done at 2nd base.  Of course, had Roberts not gotten hurt, it would be a moot point.  Oh well.

A Little Something From Mom

My mom gave me a couple packs of 2012 Topps Heritage that she picked up recently when I was visiting on Saturday.  I opened the packs in front of her and she was a bit disappointed to see that I didn't get any big hits (or any Orioles).

I got home and looked through both packs again and realized that there was something different about the Ryan Braun card that was in one of them.  The photo was in black and white, unlike the rest of the cards.  I looked it up on COMC and discovered that it was a B&W color swap variation and the book value is $10.  So, Mom, I did get a pretty cool hit!

Thanks for the packs, Mom.  It was nice to open some cards with you for the first time in about 15 years or so.

Ryan Braun Wins Appeal

According to the MLBPA and various news outlets (one of which was XMs MLB Radio), Ryan Braun has won his appeal against his suspension for testing positive for PEDs.  Apparently, he was correct in saying through his representatives that unusual circumstances triggered his positive test result.

I, for one, am glad that Braun won his appeal.  Baseball does not need one of its stars tarnished if he is innocent.  The biggest problem with it is that the positive result was supposed to be confidential until after the appeal process had been completed.  Unfortunately, we now live in a world where each and every 'news' outlet is scratching and clawing to break stories first, so Braun's name and reputation was disregarded when news of the positive test was leaked to the press.  I think MLB should look long and hard at whomever leaked the result before the process was carried out and they should serve a swift and severe punishment.

Congratulations to Braun.  Maybe now he can move forward and rebuild his reputation.  I'm sure a lot more info will be coming out as to what triggered the positive result.  I'm really curious to see how it happened.

What Now?

So, ESPN has broken the news that Ryan Braun tested positive for a PED during the playoffs.  Braun is appealing the positive result through arbitration.  For more, you can check out this article.

According to the article that I linked above, Braun's representatives say: "There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence and demonstrate that 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 that he will ultimately be exonerated."

Braun himself told USA Today "It's BS."

That may be true, Ryan, but as we all know in today's world of social media and reporters' wanting to all be first to report something, it seems that the days of "innocent until proven guilty" are long gone.  The reason that the positive result hadn't been made public was because of the appeal process.  I'm trying my best to not rush to judgement on him as well, but as far as I or anyone else knows, no one has ever successfully appealed a positive PED test result.

Also, saying that you didn't knowingly take steroids (Barry Bonds) or blaming former teammates for tainted B-12 injections (Rafael Palmeiro) or taking them because they taste like candy (Manny Ramirez) {ok, I made that last reason up} won't lessen the public outcry for your head.

Even if Braun wins his appeal, what will this do for the actual drug testing program for MLB?  As much as I would like to see Braun exonerated, if this in fact does happen (and that is a slim if), then the validity of the whole drug testing program comes under suspicion.  So, I sure hope there is a good and valid reason as to why he had a failed test.  If not, then he is just like Bonds, Giambi, Sheffield, Canseco, McGwire, etc... 

Matt Kemp must really know how Mike Greenwell feels now, huh?  It would be unprecedented if the BBWAA stripped Braun of his NL MVP award and awarded it to Kemp.  They haven't taken Bonds' 7 awards away. 

My older brother texted me last night all fired up about "MLB knew about the failed test, but went ahead and gave him the award anyway...  I hate baseball..."  This is coming from a huge NFL, College Football and UFC fan.  I love my brother and you have to realize that he gets really fired up, but with all those sports he is fond of...  pot, meet kettle.

I can imagine how Braun felt, apparently being notified of the failed test in October, but yet fielding questions about and eventually accepting the MVP award.  It reminds me of Rafael Palmeiro getting his 3,000th hit but knowing of his failed test weeks before.  Uncomfortable!

Anyway, I'd like to wait to see the resolution of his appeal before I cast Braun into the fold of the known abusers, but it doesn't look like it is an easy road ahead for him.  Again, to my knowledge, no one has won an appeal yet.  It just doesn't make sense for someone like Braun, who has been tested throughout his whole career.  He was tested in the minors and all through his MLB career.  He is very in tune with his 'brand', which is why he signed the contract he signed with the Brewers back in April.  Also, what are the 'unusual circumstances' that his representatives were speaking of?

Blehhh, what a mess you've stepped in, Ryan.  Good luck to you, but it's going to be an uphill climb.

Thoughts on the Postseason So Far...

Does everyone else agree with me that this postseason has been awesome?  3 series went to game 5.  All of the 'early picks' to win it all have been knocked out.  I feel like the remaining matchups are pretty even.

I don't know who I am picking to win it all, but I'm sure the rest of the postseason will be just as memorable!

Here are some thoughts:

I'm looking forward to seeing if Koji can do well for Texas.  He has been unimpressive so far, but here's to hoping that he can look good in his series.

I'm also hoping that Verlander pitches well.

I think Ryan Braun, even though he looks so goofy, is an amazing hitter.

Prince Fielder is the real deal.  Hope he is an Oriole next year (highly unlikely).

Chris Carpenter complete game shutout.  Man, if he wasn't so injury prone.

It was really cool seeing David Hernandez do well for the Diamondbacks.  I think the trade of Hernandez for Reynolds was a good deal on both ends.

Ryan Howard slips getting out of the box and injures himself.  Insult to injury.  Have to feel for the guy.

I like Charlie Manuel.  I don't think it was his fault that his team didn't win.  Of course, I didn't think it was Francona's fault the Red Sox lost.

Andy MacPhail is out as Orioles GM.  I hope they move quickly in getting a replacement.  I sincerely don't think it will be Buck.

Who is everyone pulling for in the ALCS/NLCS?

2011 Topps Teaser

The 2011 collecting season is now open. I went to Target tonight to get a couple things and decided to pick up 2 retail packs of 2011 Topps. I have 3 Jumbo boxes coming anytime this week, but I just couldn't help myself get a taste of what is to come for 2011.
Usually, when I complete a set, I post the final card I needed to fill it. I can't remember any single card that actually started a set... until now. The first card that greeted me when I opened my packs was Neftali Feliz. Not a bad way to lead off the year.

For all 4 of yo Yankee fans out there, here is the Derek Jeter I pulled. I have a knack of pulling Yankee cards and no Oriole cards. LAME. Anyway, when I complete the set, we will discuss trade options.

Since Pete was unable to pull a gold card, I figured that I should show the one I pulled. Ronny Cedeno. I definitely could have done better, but oh well. 3 jumbo boxes coming. Can't complain. Haha.

I also got one of the Target exclusive Red Diamond cards. Ryan Braun is definitely a good pull. This will probably end up being sold at the next card show I go to.

Not a bad Walter Johnson. I'm not sure what there cards are called, but I like getting cards of Hall of Famers.

Yep. I pulled another Yankee. CC Sabathia. This will probably be for trade or sale sooner than later.

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I'm really excited to bust my jumbos soon. They shipped this evening, so I suspect that they will be here Thursday. Obviously, you all will know because there will be posts up on here soon after.

Where's Waldo - Brian Roberts Edition

Max came to the card shop a couple weeks ago with his 2010 Topps boxes under his arms, finally ready to collate his set. After I got the Yu Gi Oh kids situated in their tournament, I helped him sort his cards.

While sorting and looking at the cards, I noticed this really cool Ryan Braun card...
I thought it was really cool that Brian Roberts can be seen in the background. It's always fun looking at the background on some cards and seeing the little things that are going on. Sucks that it appears Braun is robbing Roberts of a double that could have pushed him closer to 60, but this is still a cool card nonetheless.