This is what I said on December 12th in a blog on this site about the Ryan Braun situation:

"I am totally sick about the Ryan Braun mess. I am one that will give him the benefit of the doubt. I have met and spoken with Braun and believe me, there aren't too many more intelligent and passionate players in the game than Braun. I want to believe there is a back story that will vindicate the NL MVP. I'm even more shocked the story leaked from somewhere in or around baseball. The story was quiet throughout the entire playoffs and up until this past weekend. Something doesn't make sense and I'm certainly willing to wait until the facts are totally known."

As it turned out, there was a "back story." Braun's people looked carefully at the process used to handle his sample. As it turns out, when Braun said he would "bet his life" that he had never taken anything to violate the drug policy" he was very credible. He handled himself with dignity and class in his news conference today. He was calm, articulate and convincing. He was the Ryan Braun I had met. I hope this is the last I will write about the Braun situation. There will be those that say his reputation is flawed. There are those that will say he was vindicated on a "technicality." I believe he will come away from this a stronger person. I believe he knows who he is. He trusts himself. He believes in himself. I think he now jumps from no rating on my Top 350 list (I chose to wait until the procedure was completed) to the top of the charts. His abilities cross all categories on fantasy charts. I think he is consistent and dependable. Any chance I have to select Ryan Braun, I'm all in. And I think his drug use appeal is now in the rear view mirror.

I think the next urine sample provided by a player will be rushed to a FedEX Office without haste. Maybe Braun's situation will bring some new procedures to the sampling process. But I'm sure glad testing takes place. Baseball and all sports need ways to help insure the integrity of the game. Braun's situation should not be a call to dump testing. Lets move on.

With Ichiro now set to hit 3rd in the Mariners lineup, does it make any difference to you where you draft him? Will he get more RBI chances and cash in on those? Its an interesting move by Eric Wedge.

First manager to be fired this coming year? Your take? Brad Mills? How about Dusty? Wedge? Charlie? No doubt there is pressure on some of the managers, but there doesn't seem to be a clear cut favorite. Mills has little to work with. Dusty has a potential playoff team. Love to know what you think.

Word is that the A's will move Spring Training to Mesa's Ho Ho Kam Park. Then the Brewers may move to the vacated Phoenix location. Then a Florida team moves to Maryvale where the Brewers train. Having a Spring Training team is a major coup for a city. Losing the A's is a big blow for revenue suffering Phoenix. Maryvale is also in Phoenix. If the multiple team moves are true, the only way Phoenix will come out of this unscathed is if they pick up a team from Florida. Could happen. Could be Twins.

I guess the new Boston Spring Training complex in Ft. Myers has a Green Monster and a Pesky poll. It's supposed to be a beautiful place. Now the Twins are even further back on the sports pages in south Florida.

The Stephen Drew updates have continued to be good. He is moving laterally and he has worked out on consecutive days. They will now slow him down a bit and see how he responds.

The Phillies seem very upbeat about the potential of Ryan Howard not missing many early games, if any. I'm still not optimistic and he is not yet on my Top 350 Board. I remember seeing him go down in a heap and I cringe. Hope he can play. Soon.

Word from Minnesota (Ft. Myers, Florida) is not as promising about Justin Morneau. He has doubts about his ability to sustain over time. He has had so many injuries that I think the mental aspect as well as his physical health come into play. I have to avoid him in all formats. If Morneau can't play on a regular basis, his value diminishes. However, Chris Parmelee is a nice young player with some average potential. Nothing spectacular. Especially in his difficult home park. Morneau's situation also elevates the multiple position potential for Joe Mauer. He should get lots of at-bats at 1B. But he will really scuffle for power in that park. That said, he is more valuable with multiple position eligibility.

I have heard the Reds added a spring game against Cleveland on March 1st. That was news to me until I had lunch today with one of the Spring Training Official Scorers. He said the game was recently added and he was scheduled to work. I hope its true. If so, I'll be there as it will start the Spring Training schedule. The following day I'll see Cespedes and Oakland. And I'll try to track down Manny on the back fields. Even though he's suspended, he gets to work out with the club.

That's it for now. I'll be happy to write about items observed on the baseball field in the coming days and weeks. For now, however, I am happy for Ryan Braun and the entire Brewers organization. Baseball is better with Ryan Braun on the field.

Follow me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff and on MLB.com in Voices.