I disagree with the position taken by the Tribune in its editorial regarding the punishment handed down to Ryan Braun, that suspension for the rest of the 2013 season without pay fits the infraction. By taking performance enhancing drugs, then lying in front of the media last year that he never put such in his body, and recently stating that he may have let people down, Mr. Braun has incurred outrage from fellow players, team owners and, most important, the fans of America’s pastime. Braun says he wants to put all this behind him and looks forward to next season with a clean slate. He would then continue receiving pay from his multi-million dollar contract.

Pete Rose was banned from baseball for gambling. Accordingly, Ryan Braun deserves a similar fate due to cheating and lying. The integrity of the sport of professional baseball calls for Braun to no longer be part of the game.

 

Gary Altfillisch
Albert Lea