"Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun is facing not only a 50-game suspension but also irreparable harm to his reputation both on and off the field because of a reported positive test for a performance-enhancing drug in October.

Recognizing what's at stake, Braun's representatives at Creative Artists Agency hired David Cornwell, a sports attorney who has represented NFL and NBA stars facing various legal entanglements, to appeal Braun's case in January.

Less than 24 hours after the news broke Saturday evening, Cornwell already was working on Braun's behalf, telling the Journal Sentinel that "any report that Ryan ingested a performance-enhancing drug is wrong," and USA Today that "this breathless coverage and death watch of Ryan Braun is reprehensible."

In the meantime, a few text messages from Braun himself proclaiming his innocence have made their way into print. On Tuesday, Michael Weiner, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, issued a statement reiterating the importance of not rushing to judgment as the process plays itself out.

In reality, it's probably already far too late for that in the court of public opinion."