Ryan Braun

NEW YORK (JTA) -- Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun won his appeal of his earlier positive test for performance-enhancing drugs.

The decision, announced on Thursday, means that Braun -- the reigning National League most valuable player and the first Jew to earn that distinction in nearly five decades -- will avoid a 50-game suspension.

Braun's suspension was overturned by an an arbitrator in what is believed to be the first time a baseball player has successfully challenged a drug-related grievance. No reasoning for the ruling was given.

Ryan Braun, the first Jewish player in more than five decades to win one of baseball's Most Valuable Player awards, has reportedly tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

The Associated Press cited an unnamed source who said that the case was under appeal to an arbitrator under Major League Baseball’s drug program.

The Milwaukee Berwers left-fielder, 28, is disputing the results. According to USA Today, he dismissed the reports as "B.S."

Ryan Braun, the slugging outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers, became the first Jewish Most Valuable Player in nearly five decades.

Braun, the son of an Israeli-born Jewish father and a Catholic mother, was named the National League MVP on Tuesday. He received 20 of 32 first-place votes and 388 points in voting announced by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Los Angeles center fielder Matt Kemp was second with 10 first-place votes and 332 points.

Q - My brother and I are running the Chicago Marathon which is the day after Yom Kippur. We want to fast, however we have been told that it is unwise to do so the day before running 26 miles. Since this is an ethical dilemma, we need your advice.

A – Well, at the very least, by observing Yom Kippur you could label yourself a “fast runner.” Sorry.

John Thorn had a busy month in March. His latest book, “Baseball in the Garden of Eden: The Secret History of the Early Game” (Simon and Schuster) was published, and he was named official historian of Major League Baseball. Which is not bad for a nice Jewish boy who was born in a displaced persons camp in Stuttgart, Germany. Thorn, who will turn 64 shortly after this week’s Opening Day, offered some insights into baseball and the Jewish-American experience in a telephone interview last week.

 Baseball celebrated itself again this week with the All-Star Game, played in Anaheim, and Jewish fans had reason to celebrate. Milwaukee Brewers’ outfielder Ryan Braun, whose father is Israeli, started for the National League. Texas Rangers’ second baseman Ian Kinsler was an American League reserve. First baseman Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox narrowly missed making the American League roster.