Manny Ramirez will be serving a 50-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ryan Braun almost had the same fate. Almost being the keyword in the previous sentence.

To say I was upset by this decision would be an understatement. I could think of some pretty colorful words to use to describe the outcome, but I shall refrain.

An interview on the website of the Milwaukee Brewers, Braun’s team, said, “If I had done this intentionally, or unintentionally, I would be the first one to step up and say, ‘I did it.’ By no means am I perfect, but if I’ve ever made any mistakes in my life, I’ve taken responsibility for my actions. I truly believe in my heart, and I would bet my life, that this substance never entered my body at any point.”

I can’t say I agree with him about admitting he did something wrong. With Prince Fielder signing with the Detroit Tigers, Braun has become the face of the Brewers and he wouldn’t admit to something that would tarnish his career.

It’s difficult to be okay with having an MVP who has tested positive for some kind of performance-enhancing drugs or an elevated level of testosterone as was the case for Braun. I can’t in healthy conscience say he deserved the award.

The MVP should be a player who exemplifies what baseball is about. Matt Kemp from the LA Dodgers had a season to remember as did his teammate Clayton Kershaw, who received the NL Cy Young Award and a Triple Crown. But they didn’t get the award because the Dodgers didn’t make the playoffs like the Brewers did.

Apparently Braun won the appeal because the person testing his urine sample took it to his or her home and left it in their basement for two days. Now the collector of the sample is coming out and saying that protocol was not broken.

As a baseball fan, I’m not happy with this situation. I look at Braun, and I’m suspicious. I think he really did, knows he did and is probably going to do it again. If they aren’t going to give him the suspension, then make him take a urine test before every game for 50 games.

I hate to say it, but I will never look at Ryan Braun the same way. I’ll just see him as the player who made a fool of himself as he tripped around third on his way home for an inside-the-park home run. And he’s an even bigger fool for testing positive just weeks after being named MVP.

[WRITER’S NOTE: ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE MARCH 2012 EDITION OF “THE PULSE”]