Wisconsin's other successful team was dealt a blow yesterday when it was leaked (pun intended) that star Ryan Braun may have failed a drug test for HGH.  I say may because Braun has appealed the decision and he claims he has proof why he may have flunked the test.  Should Braun lose the appeal (and he most likely will) he gets a fifty game suspension from baseball.  But worse, he tarnishes his name in a small market where he is probably the second most loved athlete next to Aaron Rodgers (sorry, Donald Driver).

The fallout from this is huge.  The Brewers are sure to lose Prince Fielder and were counting on Braun to continue his production in a weak NL Central.  Braun could be the difference between finishing first or third, but if he is out fifty games, it puts the Brewers in a bad place.  How do you replace Braun offensively when you are financially challenged to begin with?  And how do you stay in the race in a division where at least three teams (the Cubs, Pirates and Astros) surely will not be around at the end.

Depending on what the Cardinals do, the NL Central race could be declared the Cincinnati Reds invitational. 

Back to Braun.  Just the fact he failed a test will cost him.  If he wins his appeal, people will either chalk it up to good lawyers or Bud Selig having a soft spot for Milwaukee.  Braun's MVP award will be always be considered tainted.  He will be forever on baseball's short list of players who need to be watched.  He will hear about it in every visiting stadium.  And it will effect his game.

Ryan Braun is a good kid and a solid citizen.  I hope that this isn't true.  But, it most likely is and he's probably going to miss fifty games.  I hope the Brewers can find a way to stay above water in his absence. More so, I hope Braun can recover his reputation.

When I heard the news yesterday, I was deeply disappointed, as in why couldn't this be Aaron Rodgers?