Ryan Braun: ‘I Try Not To Get Disappointed’

Ryan Braun has tried to stay positive while dealing with a thumb injury. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a rough season for Milwaukee Brewers’ slugger Ryan Braun. Not only does his name keep popping up in reference to steroids, but a thumb injury has greatly diminished his production.

Through 57 games, Braun is hitting .304 with nine home runs and 36 driven in. For any other player, those numbers would be something to smile about. But not for Braun. If Braun isn’t leading his team in home runs after two months of the season, you figure there must be something wrong with him. But if a shortstop, a position not known for power, has more home runs (see Segura), then sound the alarm. Hopefully, it’s really his thumb that’s limiting his power and not the absence of steroids. Did I just go there? Yes. Yes I did.

The Brewers’ left fielder sat out the entire Miami series with hopes that his thumb would heal with rest but so far, nothing has changed.

“I try not to get disappointed,” Braun told Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “I just keep an open mind and just deal with what I can. Hopefully it starts to get better.”

While Braun doesn’t seem too down in the dumps, you can tell he just wants to get out there and play. Fortunately, the Brewers didn’t need him much as they took the series from the Marlins. But we’re talking about the Marlins – the worst team in baseball. The Crew will need Braun if they hope to dig themselves out of the 15.5 game hole they have in the NL Central.

What do you think Brewers’ fans? Should Ryan Braun go on the disabled list to try and get his thumb right? Or should he attempt to play through it?