Ryan "Roider" Braun Suspended... Can Kemp Get his MVP Now?

Can Matt Kemp Get His MVP Award Now?

I say the above partly in jest.  After all, in 2011 it was down to two men for the NL MVP Award, and this fan still believes (regardless of today's PED suspension) that the wrong man walked away with the prize.  Heck, even Left Field Pavilion thought so based up this great graphic he put up in late August of that year (and posted up above).  Unfortunately, what's done is done, so there really is no use to complaining about it nearly two years later.  Still, its got to sting a bit for the Bison.

Anyway, on to this afternoon's jarring news.  Via Mike Axisa at CBS Sports, Ryan has accepted a plea deal with MLB.

Brewers slugger Ryan Braun has been suspended -- effective immediately -- for the rest of the 2013 season without pay, MLB has announced. He admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs and violating the Joint Drug Agreement, though he did not give any specifics.

“As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect," said Braun in a statement. "I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions. This situation has taken a toll on me and my entire family, and it is has been a distraction to my teammates and the Brewers organization. I am very grateful for the support I have received from players, ownership and the fans in Milwaukee and around the country. Finally, I wish to apologize to anyone I may have disappointed – all of the baseball fans especially those in Milwaukee, the great Brewers organization, and my teammates. I am glad to have this matter behind me once and for all, and I cannot wait to get back to the game I love.”

“We commend Ryan Braun for taking responsibility for his past actions,” said Rob Manfred, Executive Vice President, Economics & League Affairs for Major League Baseball. “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.”

This is the first of what is expected to be many suspensions arising from the Biogenesis investigations.  Other names expected to have the hammer of MLB law smacking them include Alex Rodriguez, Nelson Cruz, Melky Cabrera, Bartolo Colon, Jhonny Peralta, and Everth Cabrera.

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