I just finished reading the full transcript of what Ryan Braun said in his press conference with reporters this morning. A media session that lasted 30 minutes and yielded anything of substance. You can read the full Q&A here, but don’t expect much in the way of answers to the questions that were posed to him.
Why did you lie?
“Obviously I’ve been through a lot and as I expressed in my statement that I felt was pretty lengthy and specific, I got into a lot of details at that point. I’m not really going to go into any further details. I’m deeply remorseful about what happened. I wish I had the ability to go back and change things and do things a lot differently, but unfortunately I can’t do that. All I can do is move on and try to do everything in my power to earn back peoples’ trust and respect and support. I don’t anticipate being able to earn back everybody’s support, but I certainly intend to do everything in my power to do that and I won’t stop trying.”
What was worse in your opinion, using PEDs or lying about it after the fact?
“As I’ve stated, the goal for me is just being able to move forward. I’m not going to get into too many specifics about what happened other than saying I’m extremely remorseful. I wish that I could go back and change things but I don’t have that opportunity to do that, so I’m just going to do everything in my power to move forward.”
Have you apologized to Dino Laurenzi, Jr., or made any payments to him?
“I have not made any payments to him. I’ve had some really productive and positive conversations with him. The Laurenzi family was actually gracious and kind enough to have my fiancée Larisa and I over to their house for dinner last night, and we had some really good conversation. We’ve made amends and I think we’re both excited to be able to move forward and put this behind us.”
Knowing you got away with a positive test, why did you have that news conference in Maryvale where you lied and essentially threw Laurenzi under the bus?
“I’m not really, again, going to get into too many specifics. I wish that I hadn’t done the press conference. It was a big mistake. I deeply regret having done it, and a lot of the things that I said that day. But again, all I can do is move forward, and in an effort to do that I’m not going to get into too many specifics. I really don’t think that it does anything too positive or productive for me, the team, the game of baseball or anybody else. And in an effort to move forward, I’m not going to discuss that subject.”
Why have you waited so long to come forward and talk?
“I’ve actually been in town a few times. I don’t do the Twitter or Facebook or any of that stuff to alert anybody that I’m here. I think today was just kind of an opportunity that we understood there would be some media here, so I wanted the opportunity to speak to you guys. It wasn’t about waiting or anything like that. Like I said, I’ve been here a few times. I think this is the first time that everybody’s been aware that I’m here.”
That’s understood. But when suspensions were handed out, other players spoke and had news conferences. You didn’t. Why did it take you this long to come forward?
“I think because it was an ongoing investigation I wasn’t allowed to say very much at that time. Basically based on what I had learned from both Major League Baseball and the Players Association it wasn’t in anybody’s best interest for me to make any statements at that time.”
What was the injury that you referred to in the statement?
“Again, I’m not going to get into the specifics and continue to go backward. I’m moving forward and I’m not going to get into too many specifics on that.”
Don’t you think you owe everybody to talk about the specifics?
“Yeah, I completely understand where you guys are coming from and a part of your job is to ask those questions, but I hope that you guys can understand and respect that in an effort to move forward that I’m just not going to continue to discuss that stuff.”
What about the 2011 NL MVP award? Does this revelation invalidate that award?
“Like I said, I’m continuing to move forward. I think that’s all I can do. I’m not going to go back and discuss the things that have happened in the past. In an effort to do that, I’m not going to discuss that.”
The Brewers gave you that huge contract extension in 2011. Will you now take a pay cut?
“The Brewers have been incredibly supportive, the entire organization. My teammates, everyone has been incredibly supportive. I can’t thank Mark Attanasio enough for his support. I fully intend to do everything in my power to be the best player and person that I can be moving forward.”
Two years ago you said you thought the drug testing policy was fatally flawed. Do you still feel that way now?
“Like I said, I greatly regret having done that press conference at all. My opinion on a lot of those things has definitely changed.”
What would you say to Robin Yount?
“Robin and I have had a great relationship. I enjoy my conversations with him and I don’t think that our relationship would change much.”
Did you apologize to him?
“I look forward to seeing him. I think I’ll definitely see him in spring training, I think he’s out in Arizona quite often. I look forward to having some conversations with him.”
… Thank goodness those Braun to the Mets trade rumors were BS…. Don’t think I could handle another drama queen in Queens… Especially a liar and a cheat…
