MLB suspends Ryan Braun for remainder of 2013 season

Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun was suspended for the remainder of the season on Monday, the first player to be disciplined as a result of Major League Baseball's investigation into Biogenesis, a Miami-based anti-aging clinic.

Braun, the 2011 National League MVP, offered an apology for his "mistakes," adding that he was "willing to accept the consequences" of his actions.

"I wish to apologize to anyone I may have disappointed," Braun said in a statement. "I am glad to have this matter behind me once and for all, and I cannot wait to get back to the game I love."

Braun accepted the 65-game unpaid suspension, which was announced by MLB commissioner Bud Selig. Selig said the suspension was for “violations” of the league's joint drug agreement.

The suspension is expected to be the start of league action against players allegedly tied to the now-defunct clinic, which is accused of soliciting atheletes to buy or obtain substances prohibited under the league's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program, according to a criminal complaint filed by MLB's commissioner's office in March. 

Among those linked in media reports to the clinic are Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees and four players who were selected to their respective All-Star teams this year, including Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera, Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon and Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta.
   
Some players reacted with anger to the news of Braun's suspension.

Seattle outfielder Jason Bay said Braun's previous denials of drug use and his heartfelt apology this spring "kills" all players' credibility on the topic of performance enhancing drugs.

"Watching him talk right now makes me sick," Skip Schumaker of the Los Angeles Dodgers told The Associated Press. "I have an autographed Braun jersey in my baseball room that I'll be taking down. I don't want my son identifying what I've worked so hard to get to and work so hard to have — I don't want him comparing Braun to me."

Al Jazeera and wire services