PHOENIX - Hands crossed behind his back, Ryan Braun stepped up in front of the cameras and reporters ready to take the hits. Tim Harris Jersey . 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 Corey Linsley Jersey . Louis Cardinals, the team will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the opening of the SkyDome. Jays legends Jimmy Key and Ernie Whitt, members of playoff and World Series-winning teams of the past, will be on hand for the festivities to look back at what was the beginning of the Jays halcyon years. Cal Hubbard Jersey . It will then be back to business once the puck drops as the two clubs battle for key points in their respective playoff races. Watch the game live on TSN Canadiens and listen on TSN Radio 690 starting at 7:30pm et. http://www.custompackersjersey.com/custom-lucas-patrick-jersey-large-2042r.html . Luis Enrique signed the deal with club president Josep Bartomeu two days after it was announced by the club. That was two days after coach Gerardo Martino stepped down when Barcelona finished its first season without a major trophy in six years.VANCOUVER - With a 1-6 record, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats were a long way from the Grey Cup in August.But the team never panicked. Head coach Kent Austin saw success ahead.When we were 1-6, our head coach, our defensive co-ordinator (Orlondo Steinauer) said, This is a Grey Cup team. It just wasnt our time yet, said sumo-sized defensive lineman Ted Laurent.Linebacker Simoni Lawrence remembers the words Austin used. Its going to be an amazing story when its all said and done. The last chapter will be written Sunday at B.C. Place Stadium when the Tiger-Cats play the powerful Calgary Stampeders.The Ticats, 45-23 losers to the hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders in last years championship game, go into the game brimming with belief.Its been a signpost of their season, no matter where they were in the standings. We knew we werent a 1-6 team, said offensive lineman Peter Dyakowski.Ive played on basket-case teams and we werent that, he added. You could look at every position group and know that we had it, that we were close. And if we just stuck with it, we were going to get it turned around.And that belief was through the organization, top to bottom, throughout the team ... no one shut it down, no one thought that this is going to be the story of our season. Everyone knew we had a team that could make a run.This team was extremely resilient inside, where its most important, said Jeff Reinebold, Hamiltons special teams co-ordinator and linebackers coach.Reinebold has seen more than a few teams in a coaching career that has stretched from Amsterdam to Las Vegas with CFL stops in B.C., Edmonton, Hamilton, Montreal and Winnipeg.Every team is unique but this team is extra-special to me, he said.They never wavered, he added. They never flinched. They never backed off their beliefs, they never pointed fingers at one another. All of the things that can happen when you dont have success in professional sports — all the Me guys take over, all the finger-pointing begins, all the blame gets spread around.This team never took part in that. And a lot of that comes from Coach Austin and his unshakable belief in his principles and then that got disseminated among the assistant coaches. And the message was always consistent.Hamilton (9-9) went on to win eight of its next 11 games and finish first in the East. Hamilton then thumped Montreal 440-24 in the East final. Kevin King Jersey. The thing that was most regarding after the win (over the Als) last week was not the win, was not the money, was not the fact even that they were going to go play for a championship, said Reinebold. It was the fact that they all got to stay together one more week.Because the reality of it is in this business when a season ends, whether it ends at the end of the regular season or after a championship game, that team will never be the same again. Never will all those coaches, all those players, all those personalities be together one more time. There are always transitions, particularly in pro sports today.This team has blessed itself because it competed so hard last week against Montreal, with the opportunity to experience this and to be together as brothers one more week. Thats fantastic. On Friday, the Ticats showed that by ending practice in a huddle that turned into a gyrating, dancing and chanting mass of bodies.We love each other, said Dyakowski. Weve got a fantastic team, a great locker-room. This is a squad where every guy on it plays for each other. We dont have anyone whos in it for themselves. Were all in it together and it shows.Hamilton is still standing — and grooving — after a season that saw quarterback Zach Collaros miss five games with concussion-like symptoms (the team went 1-4 without him). The players also had to wait for Tim Hortons Field to finally open before reeling off seven straight wins at home to get here.You cant get those games back, Austin said of the early-season losses. But what you can do is learn from those games in such a way that the next time you take the field, youre better. Youre better for that experience. And then just stay the course.We have a great staff of guys that are completely authentic in that approach. And the players trust that. While the Ticats are the feel-good story, the Stampeders (15-3) are 7 1/2-point favourites to spoil their happy ending.Austin, like his players, relishes the challenge.We tell the guys all the time if it was easy, it wouldnt mean as much.Notes: Austin says receiver Andy Fantuz has looked good this week after seeing limited action last weekend upon his return from a hamstring issue. Hes running better this week. I think theres a noticeable difference.———Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter. ' ' '