Testosterone Testing for MLB Players, Including Ryan Braun, is Meaningless

This is not about Ryan Braun. It is about the possibility that some or many of our "heroes," players such as (you fill in the blanks) should have faced the situation Braun faces.

Testosterone testing is flawed to such an extent that it is certain, not probable, some players with increased testosterone levels passed the test.

The individual being tested urinates into a cup while being monitored to ensure that the urine stream's path is from the body directly to the cup.

The specimen is separated into "sample A" and sample "B." One of the samples in tested in order to compare the ratio of testosterone and epitestosterone. Humans produce both substances.

The test for non-natural testosterone is not, repeat, not very accurate, which is the reason that a second test is required if a ratio of 4:1 with respect to testosterone to epitestosterone results.

The "usual" ratio is 1:1, but it can fluctuate tremendously. The ratio obtained is not, as stated, very accurate. Valid studies have produced ratios as great as 10:1 in males who have not taken any non-natural testosterone.

Having a high ratio proves nothing, which is why a second test is necessary.

The key is that that the 1:1 ratio can vary greatly, which brings up the question, "How many players who results produced a ratio of less than 4:1 but might have had a ratio that would trigger the second test benefited from the first test's inaccuracies?

Testing the second sample is performed only when the first test produces a high ratio.

There is a simple way to solve the problem, but MLB's disingenuous prevents always using the second test for at least two reasons.

The test to detect the presence of non-natural testosterone is expensive and time consuming. Those who run baseball don't want to do hundreds of them.

The other reason is that baseball's image would be further damaged if too many players tested positive

There is one disclaimer which illustrates the difficulty of the situation.

Barry Bonds' friends at Balco used a transdermal patch that could manipulate the testosterone to epitestosterone ratio. It was a brilliant way to produce an acceptable ratio. The patch increased the epistestosterone levels so they approached the testosterone levels.

There is no need for the first test other than to save the expensive second, reliable test.

As Chester A. Riley used to say in the 1950s, "What a revoltin' development this is."