"A murmur of expectation bubbled through the ballroom at the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan as it became clear Ryan Braun would soon be approaching the podium.

Braun, the winner of the 2011 National League Most Valuable Player Award, attended the dinner hosted by the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Saturday night, making his first public appearance and comments since reports emerged in December that he had tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone during the 2011 season.

Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander also accepted his American League MVP and Cy Young awards at the dinner.

"Only had to give one speech in case you were wondering," Verlander said on Twitter, sending a picture of him holding his trophies.."