Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun retired from Major League Baseball on September 14th, 2021. After 14 seasons, Braun finished with 352 home runs, 1,154 RBIs, and a career .296 batting average. Braun was also an NL Rookie of the year (2007), six time All-Star, five time Silver Slugger Award winner, NL MVP (2011), and a part of the Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor. Many Brewers fans could argue that Braun is the greatest Brewer of all time, behind Robin Yount and Paul Molitor. Yount (#19) and Molitor (#4) have their respective numbers retired and hanging up at American Family Field. If Braun is considered one of the greatest Brewers to play, should the Brewers retire his number?
Career with Milwaukee
Braun was drafted in the 2005 MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 5th overall pick. He was a two time All-American at the University of Miami. Braun made an immediate impact in the minor leagues. Only taking two years to rocket to the big leagues making his Major League debut on May 25th, 2007. He would have 34 home runs, 97 RBIs, and batting at a .324 average, taking home the NL Rookie of the Year award. Braun would become one of the best hitter in the National League from 2008-2012. He would win the NL MVP in 2011 with 33 homers, 111 RBIs, and a .332 average. Braun looked to be paving his way to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Controversy with Braun
In 2011, Braun was in hot water after having a positive PED test after his MVP season. He denied the reports and blamed the person who took his test sample. He appealed the possible 50-game suspension and ended up winning his appeal due to his sample being tampered with. In February 2013, Braun’s name was again brought up in a PED scandal by BioGenesis Clinch, who gave PEDs to multiple MLB players around the league. Again, Braun denied the rumors but was suspended for the rest of the 2013 season for his involvement with the clinch without appealing the suspension. Finally, the truth came out, making Braun the most hated player.
#8 Retired?
Ryan Braun is undoubtedly one of the best Milwaukee Brewers players ever. Braun helped them win divisions and make playoff runs. He would be a fan favorite for over a decade during the teams highest of highs and lowest of lows. Now that Braun has been retired for almost two years, people wonder if his #8 will be retired. Fans argue that if he’s not a hall of famer, why should his number be retired, or why should they honor a player who lied and cheated? Then on the other side, people could argue that he was the face of the franchise for over a decade and put Milwaukee on the map again during the 2000s and 2010s. The Brewers could “silent retire” his number, similar to Jim Gatner #17, who is not in the MLB Hall of Fame. Whatever choice the Brewers make, fans will have their opinion, but ultimately will be the right decision.
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