ESPN's T.J. Quinn has tweeted that "sources tell OTL (Outside the Lines) Braun relationship with Bosch began in summer '11 months before testing positive. RB was on PED regimen for high-end clients."

Quinn, of course, is referring to Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun and former Biogenesis clinic operator Tony Bosch, who apparently provided overwhelming evidence to Major League Baseball that Braun bought performance-enhancing drugs from him.

Faced with that evidence, Braun on Monday accepted a season-ending suspension that covered the final 65 games of the season. That announcement came with a vague apology by Braun acknowledging he made "mistakes" but did not mention PED use.

So, OTL's sources tell them that Braun began his relationship with Bosch in the summer of 2011. It was in October of that year, at the start of the playoffs, that Braun tested positive for elevated levels of synthetic testosterone. He had that drug test overturned on appeal on a chain-of-custody issue that MLB considered a technicality.

While stopping short of saying the evidence showed Braun bought synthetic testosterone from Bosch, Quinn supplied a copy of a Biogenesis document  that he says sources indicate was written by Bosch for "PEDs for clients like Braun and A-Rod." A-Rod, of course, is New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. And the specific PEDs referred to here are testosterone troches.

Testosterone troches are lozenges that you can place under your tongue to induce synthetic testosterone into your system. The document produced by OTL goes to the detail of saying they were "mint or cherry-flavored."

Troches are but one way to elevate your testosterone levels without receiving an injection. You can also apply synthetic testosterone topically with creams and gels applied to your skin. With these methods, the synthetic testosterone can cycle in and out of your body quickly, meaning a drug test likely would have to be taken very soon to be detected.

JSOnline  wrote:

To me it does... why.. because if he carried out his statements last spring training with full knowledge that he was guilty all along, my opinion is 65 games is not enough. He didn't just say that he was innocent, he openly and defiantly challenged the integrity of others openly, the testing process and the game itself.

I see no reason that MLB doesn't release their findings in this.. let the facts present themselves. Asked for no less from day one.. and MLB has said that is what they were doing with this investigation. Well then.. present them so we the direct and indirect fund source of the game to know the facts.

In such a public game in which we openly talk about their contracts, events in the ball players lives.. then why not show us the ugly side of the game. How the cheats cheated... or what exactly what they are guilty of.

Could it also prove not to be as damning to Braun.. possibly but doubtful. But the next time I see him play ball in Miller Park.. I certainly want to know the facts of his guilt.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

I understand. In this country we tend to expect our judicial system to be opaque.

I think MLB was set to give him more than 65 games but the legal hassle would have drawn it out longer so they opted for a plea bargain arraignment. He does 65 games and drops his defense. They don't bust him for more.

A 1 1/2 suspension or even a lifetime ban would not help the Brewers at all other than to recover some of the money they have tied up.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

Just with the attitude Braun displayed after the overturned appeal while possibly knowing he was dirty... that there is even worse than Clemens, Mcgwire and Palmeiro denials.

Basically.. he has a lot more statements of apology to go to right the mistakes.. at bear minimum. First is the tester he basically ran over.. and that should be publicly as well as privately. Then we should be talking about financial considerations in damages.

But again.. let us see those documents and proof so we can make those judgments for ourselves and stop having to read the drivel from the likes of ESPN and unnamed sources.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

Just keep in mind also, you want to see documents for a failed drug test. Think about that for a moment....

To me, this is a person's medical records...Can that be made public? Not sure that is possible.

Originally Posted by: dhpackr 

The more facts I read about this, the more it feels like Braun grew tired of the whole ordeal and didn't want his family, friends or teammates to be distracted by the whole 'will he or won't he' saga.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

This is precisely why I want the facts laid out for the public.. to end any gray area to the issue. Let us the fans, the ultimate driving force of the game, to actually know the truth.. fully. And then let us decide how to cheer, boo or disown him.

Just lay it out there.. and end it.

I also realize, as apparently the press cannot, is that Braun, MLB, and the players association might be withholding this information until all players have been dealt with in the Biogenesis issue has been dealt with.

I will be extremely disappointed if they don't release it full in the end.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z