Union chief defends MVP Braun

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Baseball’s union head says people should wait for all the facts before making conclusions about NL MVP Ryan Braun.

The Milwaukee Brewers’ star tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance and is appealing to an arbitrator.

The case is not likely to be determined until next month at the earliest.

If the positive test is upheld, Braun would face a 50-game suspension as a first offender.

Players’ association leader Michael Weiner says in a statement Tuesday that the drug agreement is designed to protect a player from “a rush to judgment.”

He adds that “fairness dictates that Ryan Braun be treated no differently.”

Labor

Baseball’s new labor contract includes more video replay, the chance for a longer All-Star break and a small, but likely welcome perk for players: the chance to get a private room instead of a roommate during spring training.

The Associated Press obtained the document that includes several changes, many starting next year. Among them:

Allowing teams from the same division to meet in the playoffs before the league championship series.

A ban on players getting tattoos with corporate logos.

The possibility of players wearing microphones during games.

Players have already ratified the hundreds of pages contained in Major League Baseball’s Memorandum of Understanding.

Owners are scheduled to vote Thursday.

Also part of the deal: Any big leaguer who wants to change uniform numbers without switching teams better give eight months’ notice unless he’s willing to buy warehouses full of his overstocked jerseys.