After word leaked that Ryan Braun had tested positive for some substance banned in the Collective Bargaining Agreement's drug policy, a 50-game suspension seemed all but guaranteed. Braun appealed, but successful appeals are really hard, and we knew it would take something extraordinary for Braun to win his. There has been something extraordinary.

Tom Haudricourt:

Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun became the first major-league player to have a positive drug test overturned when he was informed Thursday that an arbitration panel ruled in his favor on appeal and decided against a 50-game suspension for the reigning National League most valuable player.

There has been no official announcement of the verdict but the Journal Sentinel has confirmed that Braun won his appeal.

Several other people have confirmed this report, and Haudricourt states that Braun won his appeal on the basis of a technicality related to the testing process. Whatever works.

This is pretty huge, and we will continue to discuss the implications in this space.