Ryan Braun will accept MVP award Saturday despite positive test

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Ryan Braun plans on accepting his National League MVP award in person at the annual Baseball Writers’ Assn. of America awards banquet in New York on Saturday despite facing a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

“He will be there and he will accept his award,” Matthew Hiltzik, a spokesman for Braun, said.

While Braun does not plan to grant interviews Saturday, the Milwaukee Brewers left fielder is expected to give an acceptance speech. It is not known whether he will talk about being found to have abnormally high level of testosterone. He may feel his initial response -- ‘it’s B.S.’ -- already covered the subject adequately.

Braun, who is appealing the suspension, led the Brewers to the NL Central title with a .332 batting average, 33 home runs and 111 RBI. Second-place Matt Kemp of the Dodgers had a .324 batting average with 39 home runs and 126 RBI.

The test was administered in October, and Braun already knew of the positive result when the MVP award was announced on Nov. 22. Weeks later, the BBWAA announced it had no intention of stripping Braun of the award or holding another vote if the suspension was upheld.

A Times survey of 20 writers who had cast their winning vote for Braun showed Kemp would win if there was to be a revote.

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-- Chuck Schilken