Baseball fans may have believed that steroid use was “a thing of the past.” But Milwaukee Brewers’ Left Fielder Ryan Braun threw them a curve ball when he accepted his 65-game suspension for violating the drug program, forfeiting “nearly half of his $8.5 million salary.”
After a failed drug test in 2011, Mr. Braun was linked to an anti-aging clinic in South Florida that was believed to be distributing “performance enhancement drugs.” This alleged scandal brings other talented and idolized players into question as well, such as the Yankees’ Third Baseman Alex Rodriguez.
In 2012, Mr. Braun flaunted his innocence after winning his appeal with the explanation that “the truth is always relevant, and the truth prevails.” This time, however, the truth knocked the Milwaukee Brewer right out of the park.
Although Mr. Braun neither accepted nor denied the claim, he left fans with this statement: “As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect. I realize now that I have made some mistakes.”
While no longer batting a thousand, Mr. Braun’s experience offers a valuable media training lesson: never lie, mislead, or try to bluff. The media is always watching!