FuquaManuel

ESPN has the scoop. This is obviously very big news because Braun just won the NL MVP and, if Braun's appeal is denied, he would miss 50 games next season. Also, if this turns out to be true, the baseball punditocracy will never let you hear the end of it. A few things to consider before you go getting all righteously indignant: 1. From the linked article: "The positive result was triggered by elevated levels of testosterone in Braun's system, the sources also told "Outside the Lines." A subsequent, more comprehensive test revealed the testosterone was synthetic -- not produced by Braun's body. Every individual naturally produces testosterone and a substance called epitestosterone, typically at a ratio of 1-to-1. In Major League Baseball, if the ratio comes in at 4-to-1 or higher during testing, a player is deemed to have tested positive. The sources did not indicate how high above the threshold Braun's sample tested." So, as of now this is NOT a positive for steroids. 2. Ryan Braun's career isolated slugging (ISO): .251 Ryan Braun's 2011 ISO: .265 So, whatever Braun took -- if he in fact took anything -- did not provide a magical boost to his power numbers.

Baseball? Scavenger hunt? Wine, cheese, and beer? What more could you ask for? Here are the details: "The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) invites you to a baseball scavenger hunt this Thursday, September 15 at 6 p.m. The event, presented by the Young Friends of HSP, will showcase some of the society’s finest baseball documents, including turn-of-the-century baseball cards, old photos from Shibe Park, score cards from the Pythian Base Ball Club, 19th-century sporting goods catalogs and much more. The evening’s reception will feature wine, cheese, beer and snacks provided by Tria. During the reception, HSP will show the short film Base Ball: The Philadelphia Game from History Making Productions, a Philadelphia film production company founded by Sam Katz." It's only 15 bucks ($10 for members) and it's for a good cause.