Narrenpost-Kasten » good, but like I said its always a challenge getting

PHOENIX - Hands crossed behind his back, Ryan Braun stepped up in front of the cameras and reporters ready to take the hits. A long-awaited day had finally arrived: the Brewers slugger is officially back with his team for the first time since being suspended for 65 games for violating Major League Baseballs anti-drug agreement as part of the Biogenesis doping scandal. Once again, hes sorry. And hes ready to move on. "I took responsibility for that mistake I made," Braun said Thursday. "For me, my focus again is on this year and moving forward and learning a new position and getting ready for the season." One that includes a move from left to right field, and questions about whether Braun is over the right thumb injury that also limited him in 2013. But it was that other topic that again dominated a respectful question-and-answer session on a sunny day outside the Brewers spring training complex. And the 2011 NL MVP offered familiar answers. "Like I said, Ive addressed it multiple times. I appreciate your interest. I appreciate everybodys interest," Braun said to one of several questions about why he used a banned substance. "I understand you have a job to do, but Ive already addressed that multiple times at multiple press conferences." There was a statement in August. A gathering with reporters in Milwaukee during a Thanksgiving food drive. Another press conference at fan outreach event last month, his first major public appearance in Milwaukee since the suspension. Its easy to see why theres still interest. After the Yankees Alex Rodriguez, Braun is perhaps the most well-known player suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs. He remains relatively popular in Milwaukee despite the suspension, judging by fans still wearing his No. 8 jersey at the teams winter outreach event. One such fan watched intently from about 50 feet away behind a steel fence at the Maryvale baseball complex, holding on to a yellow Braun jersey. Nearly two years ago to the day, Braun offered a vociferous proclamation of innocence at spring training. At the time, a 50-game suspension for a positive drug test had been overturned by an arbitrator. "We won," he said then with conviction, "because the truth is on my side." Turned out not to be the case. "Certainly I wish that I hadnt done the press conference. I wish that I had known then what I know now," Braun said Thursday. "If I had, certainly I wouldnt have done it at all." The front office and manager Ron Roenicke appear to be more than satisfied with how hes made amends with teammates. "Yeah, he doesnt need to address anything anymore. If he wants to, fine," Roenicke said. "He feels like hes said enough. Hes said enough certainly for me." Now if he can just get back to that MVP form under a glare of suspicion that will almost certainly still follow him in the short term, especially on the road. Braun hit .298 with nine home runs, 38 RBIs and four steals in 61 games in 2013, well below his career averages. He is usually good for at least 30-plus homers, 110 RBIs and 20 steals, along with a .320 average. "I feel good, but like I said its always a challenge getting use to facing pitching again and seeing curveballs and sliders and some spin on the ball," Braun said about his thumb. "Theres always an adjustment phase but I feel pretty good." Then theres the new position. As part of the acclimation process, Braun brought up the possibility of being an "all-time" defender in a minor-league game this spring, meaning he would be a fielder for both sides. Roenicke said he first thought about shifting Braun in 2011. "It wont be that easy of a transition, even though hes a very good left fielder," Roenicke said. "Its different when that ball turns the other way." Braun also declined comment when asked about his relationship with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The former business partners are two of Wisconsins biggest stars, and Rodgers expressed disappointment after Brauns suspension last summer. To others in baseball, the return of Braun and accompanying drama might be viewed as a headache. Braun is certainly aware that he might get negative reactions away from Miller Park. Roenicke, however, confidently predicted he would not be a distraction for the Brewers. "I think everybody knows the kind of player he is," he said. "We like him for one, and we need him on this team, and hes paid the penalty that Major League Baseball has put in place, and its over." ___ Follow Genaro Armas at http://twitter.com/GArmasAP Alejandro Villanueva Jersey . The 36-year-old said a few months ago he would hang up his boots at the end of the season, but has since changed his mind. "Its a pity the season is ending now, as I am in good physical shape and enjoying myself," Di Natale said. Jerome Bettis Jersey .C., won gold in the womens 200-metre backstroke, and Dominique Bouchard of North Bay, Ont. http://www.officialpittsburghsteelersfootball.com/authentic-dan-mccullers-jersey-womens . The England international had both goals in TFCs season-opening 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday. John Stallworth Jersey .com) - A chant of Zeke reverberated around AT&T Stadium before Ezekiel Elliott powered into the end zone for his fourth and final touchdown. Kevin Greene Jersey . -- Augusta James of Bath, Ont.Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera and Los Angeles Angels centerfielder Mike Trout are once again set to go head-to-head in Major League Baseballs year-end awards. The Baseball Writers Association of America announced its finalists for its four top awards on Tuesday night, including Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year and the Cy Young Award in both the American and National Leagues. Trout and Cabrera – who were hotly-debated MVP candidates in 2012 – were once again announced as finalists for AL MVP alongside Baltimore Orioles first-baseman Chris Davis. Davis led the majors in home runs (53) and runs batted-in (138), while Cabrera led the majors in batting average (.348) and finished second in the other two Triple Crown categories with 44 homers and 137 RBI. Trout led the AL in runs scored (109) and finished third in average (.323). In the NL the finalists for MVP included Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina. Goldschmidt led the NL in RBI (125) and tied for the league lead in home runs (36) in addition to winning a Gold Glove. McCutchen finished top-10 in the NL in average (.317), steals (27), runs scored (97) and OPS (.911). Molina won his sixth-straight Gold Glove behind the plate and led all NL catchers in hits (161), doubles (44), average (.319) and OPS (.836). Tigers starter Max Scherzer headlines the AL Cy Young ballot, where he is joined by Japanese imports Yu Darvish of the Texas Rangers and Hisashi Iwakuma of the Seattle Mariners. Scherzer won an MLB-leading 21 games and finished top five in strikeouts (240) and earned-run average (2.90). Darvish led the majors in strikeouts by a healthy margin with 277 and posted an AL top-five ERA (2.83). Iwakumas 2.66 ERA was third-best in the AL in addition to a 1.01 WHIP. Clayton Kerrshaw is up for the NL Cy Young for a third-straight year.dddddddddddd Hes joined on the ballot by Miami Marlins rookie Jose Fernandez and St. Louis Cardinals vet Adam Wainwright. Kershaw – who won the 2011 Award and finished runner-up to R.A. Dickey in 2012 – had an MLB-best ERA (1.83) and WHIP (0.92) as well as leading the NL in strikeouts (232) and tying for third in wins (16). Wainwright won an NL-best 19 as well as finishing third in strikeouts (219). Fernandez finished top-three in ERA (2.19) and WHIP (0.98) while holding opponents to an MLB-low .182 average. Fernandez highlights the NL Rookie of the Year crop, but is also joined by Dodgers phenom Yasiel Puig and Cardinals starter Shelby Miller. Puig set the league on fire with his early summer debut racking up 122 hits, 19 homers and 11 steals in just 104 games, with an MLB rookie-best average of .319. Miller posted a 15-9 record for the NL-champion Cards, logging 173.1 innings. Tampa Bay Rays teammates Wil Myers and Chris Archer are finalists for the AL Rookie of the Year along with Tigers infielder Jose Iglesias. Myers led AL rookies in doubles (23) and RBI (53), while Archer logged the second-most innings among AL rookie starters (128.2) posting a sparkling 1.13 WHIP. Archer Iglesias hit .303 in 109 games for the Tigers. John Farrells worst-to-first tactics in Boston have him nominated for AL Manager of the Year alongside fellow rookie skipper Terry Francona and the Oakland As Bob Melvin. Clint Hurdle, who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to their first playoff berth since 1992, headlines the NL Manager of the Year candidates alongside Dodgers manager Don Mattingly and the Braves Fredi Gonzalez. The Awards will be handed out next week, starting with the Rookie of the Year Awards on Nov. 11. One set of awards will be announced per day with Manager of the Year on Nov. 12, Cy Young on Nov. 13 and MVP on Nov. 14. 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