ssful tour of South Africa over the winter Speaking to Sky

PHOENIX - Hands crossed behind his back, Ryan Braun stepped up in front of the cameras and reporters ready to take the hits. A long-awaited day had finally arrived: the Brewers slugger is officially back with his team for the first time since being suspended for 65 games for violating Major League Baseballs anti-drug agreement as part of the Biogenesis doping scandal. Once again, hes sorry. And hes ready to move on. "I took responsibility for that mistake I made," Braun said Thursday. "For me, my focus again is on this year and moving forward and learning a new position and getting ready for the season." One that includes a move from left to right field, and questions about whether Braun is over the right thumb injury that also limited him in 2013. But it was that other topic that again dominated a respectful question-and-answer session on a sunny day outside the Brewers spring training complex. And the 2011 NL MVP offered familiar answers. "Like I said, Ive addressed it multiple times. I appreciate your interest. I appreciate everybodys interest," Braun said to one of several questions about why he used a banned substance. "I understand you have a job to do, but Ive already addressed that multiple times at multiple press conferences." There was a statement in August. A gathering with reporters in Milwaukee during a Thanksgiving food drive. Another press conference at fan outreach event last month, his first major public appearance in Milwaukee since the suspension. Its easy to see why theres still interest. After the Yankees Alex Rodriguez, Braun is perhaps the most well-known player suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs. He remains relatively popular in Milwaukee despite the suspension, judging by fans still wearing his No. 8 jersey at the teams winter outreach event. One such fan watched intently from about 50 feet away behind a steel fence at the Maryvale baseball complex, holding on to a yellow Braun jersey. Nearly two years ago to the day, Braun offered a vociferous proclamation of innocence at spring training. At the time, a 50-game suspension for a positive drug test had been overturned by an arbitrator. "We won," he said then with conviction, "because the truth is on my side." Turned out not to be the case. "Certainly I wish that I hadnt done the press conference. I wish that I had known then what I know now," Braun said Thursday. "If I had, certainly I wouldnt have done it at all." The front office and manager Ron Roenicke appear to be more than satisfied with how hes made amends with teammates. "Yeah, he doesnt need to address anything anymore. If he wants to, fine," Roenicke said. "He feels like hes said enough. Hes said enough certainly for me." Now if he can just get back to that MVP form under a glare of suspicion that will almost certainly still follow him in the short term, especially on the road. Braun hit .298 with nine home runs, 38 RBIs and four steals in 61 games in 2013, well below his career averages. He is usually good for at least 30-plus homers, 110 RBIs and 20 steals, along with a .320 average. "I feel good, but like I said its always a challenge getting use to facing pitching again and seeing curveballs and sliders and some spin on the ball," Braun said about his thumb. "Theres always an adjustment phase but I feel pretty good." Then theres the new position. As part of the acclimation process, Braun brought up the possibility of being an "all-time" defender in a minor-league game this spring, meaning he would be a fielder for both sides. Roenicke said he first thought about shifting Braun in 2011. "It wont be that easy of a transition, even though hes a very good left fielder," Roenicke said. "Its different when that ball turns the other way." Braun also declined comment when asked about his relationship with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The former business partners are two of Wisconsins biggest stars, and Rodgers expressed disappointment after Brauns suspension last summer. To others in baseball, the return of Braun and accompanying drama might be viewed as a headache. Braun is certainly aware that he might get negative reactions away from Miller Park. Roenicke, however, confidently predicted he would not be a distraction for the Brewers. "I think everybody knows the kind of player he is," he said. "We like him for one, and we need him on this team, and hes paid the penalty that Major League Baseball has put in place, and its over." ___ Follow Genaro Armas at http://twitter.com/GArmasAP Bert Blyleven Jersey . 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Ellerby, 25, appeared in 51 games for the Jets last season and had two goals and four assists.​Nottinghamshire and England batsman James Taylor has been forced to retire because of a serious heart condition. Scans on Monday revealed the 26-year-old is suffering from ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Arrhythmia), a similar condition to that suffered by former footballer Fabrice Muamba, and he will undergo surgery in the coming days. James Taylor wrote on Instagram it had been the toughest week of his life Taylor, who originally withdrew from last weeks fixture against Cambridge MCCU with what was believed to be a viral condition, tweeted on Tuesday morning, writing: Safe to say this has been the toughest week of my life! My world is upside down. But Im here to stay and Im battling on! #lifestooshortLater on Tuesday, he tweeted: Absolutely overwhelmed with all the support Ive received. You dont understand how much it means to me and how much it helps! Thank you!Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell told the clubs official website: Myself and all of James teammates & colleagues are terribly sad to hear this news, which comes as a big shock to us all.He is a model professional, the most hard working Ive ever known in cricket, making it all the more difficult to accept that his career has been cut short in this way.It goes without saying that he has the very best wishes of us all in terms of recovering from his operation, and that we are looking forward to seeing him back at Trent Bridge when he is fit and able. Taylor was part of Englands successful tour of South Africa over the winter Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Newell added: His reaction is obviously devastation that all hes wanted to do since he was a little kid has been taken away from him now, although the realisation that he is still alive and can have a full and healthy life has tempered that to some extent, because his general all-round fitness has helped him on this occasion and possibly saved him from a worse fate.Muamba, whose heart stopped for 78 minutes after collapsing at White Hart Lane while playing for Bolton against Tottenham in 2012, tweeted Taylor his best wishes on Tuesday, writing: having life is a great option. Retirement is inevitable but for some of us its just earlier than expected. Enjoy life. Mick Newell, Nottinghamshires director of cricket, says the news of James Taylors retirement has shocked everybody at the club England Team Director Andrew Strauss added: It is both shocking and saddening to hear that James career has been cut short in such a sudden and unexpected manner.dddddddddddd.Throughout his career, he has constantly impressed with his determination to make the absolute most of his ability, and it is immensely cruel that such a hard working player will be unable to fulfil his great potential in the international arena. Taylor made 27 ODI appearances for England, scoring 887 runs The ECB will work closely with Nottinghamshire and together we will do everything possible to help James through this difficult period, and aid him in his recovery.Taylor, who began his professional career with Leicestershire before moving to Trent Bridge five years ago, scored more than 9,000 first-class runs at an average above 46, and hit 20 centuries. Social media reaction to James Taylors forced retirement from cricket His 27 one-day international appearances for England yielded 887 runs at an average of 42.23.He made his Test debut against South Africa at Headingley in 2012, but after his first two caps that summer he had to wait more than three years to begin to re-establish himself in the team, which he did on the tour to South Africa over the winter. 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