Braun's positive test dims MLB's positive glow

Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun hits a 2 RBI ground rule double against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 5th inning of Game 1 of the MLB National League Championship Series baseball playoffs in Milwaukee, October 9, 2011.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The feel-good glow that Major League Baseball (MLB) had been enjoying after a thrilling World Series and new labor deal was abruptly ended on the weekend with news that Ryan Braun, the National League's Most Valuable, had failed a doping test.

The initial reports about the test were mixed. ESPN reported that Braun had tested positive to elevated levels of testosterone, which is produced naturally by humans, and that the tests, conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), showed traces of synthetic testosterone.

MLB, the Players' Association and the Brewers all declined to comment on the case while a spokesman for Braun released a statement denying any wrongdoing.

The 28-year-old slugging outfielder faces an automatic 50-game ban if found guilty but his spokesman said he was innocent and would appeal the finding.

"There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence and demonstrate that there was absolutely no intentional violation of the program," the spokesman said in a statement.

"While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident that he will ultimately be exonerated."

The loss of Braun for almost a third of the season would be a major blow to the Brewers after he led them to last season's NL Central League title, the franchise's first division title since 1982.

In April, Braun signed a five-year contract extension worth $105 million and had his best season yet, carrying the Brewers to a 96-66 record.

He batted .332, belted 33 home runs, drove in 111 runs, scored 109 runs and stole 33 bases and was awarded the game's highest individual honor.

But the negative publicity over the case would also be damaging and embarrassing to MLB, which had been basking in the success of a regular season that came down to a thrilling final day then produced a rollercoaster World Series won by the St Louis Cardinals.

Off the field, MLB and the players' union signed a new agreement that extended baseball's period of labor peace to 21 years at a period when the National Football League, National Basketball Association and National Hockey League all experienced problems.

Braun's positive test also served as a painful reminder of the slender thread that holds together the integrity of the sport and its cherished record book, which came under doubt after the December 2007 Mitchell Report commissioned by MLB found widespread use of doping.

Baseball officials pledged to clean up the game, introducing a drug testing program, while some of the game's leading players came under the spotlight

Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were both indicted by federal authorities while the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, the game's highest-paid player, admitted having used steroids.

(Editing by Julian Linden)