Biogenesis Suspensions List and Scandal Update: Slugger Ryan Braun Returns to Miller Park
Suspended slugger Ryan Braun visited his teammates at Miller Park this week in the first appearance since he was slapped with a 65-game suspension for his involvement with the biogenesis scandal that rocked Major League Baseball.
According to ESPN, Braun had called some Brewers fans in September to apologize for his actions, but hadn't been at the stadium since July 22. Although he is not allowed to suit up for games during his suspension, he is still able to visit the stadium.
According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said it seemed like Braun's fellow teammates welcomed him back.
"He looked good," Roenicke said. "I think all the guys were really happy to see him. He was just in to say hi. He misses the game and he misses the guys, so he wanted to come in and say hi."
As the Brewers have struggled in the absence of Braun and outfielder Corey Hart, Roenicke told the Journal-Sentinel how much the players mean to the team's success.
"I really like these guys," Roenicke said. "Not only are they really great players, but I really like them. They bring a lot to our team. They bring that atmosphere that when you go out there you know you have these two big horses to help. We miss those guys, both ways [on and off the field]."
After Braun initially refused to answer questions about the scandal, he had decided to meet with league executives and deal with the consequences.
"After my interview with MLB in late June of this year, I came to the realization that it was time to come to grips with the truth," he said, according to the AP. "I was never presented with baseball's evidence against me, but I didn't need to be, because I knew what I had done."
Braun played in 61 games this season before he was suspended.