Mike Schmidt weighs in on Braun verdict

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CLEARWATER, Fla.Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt checked into Phillies camp Monday morning for his annual stint as a guest hitting instructor. Manager Charlie Manuel is stressing a more serious approach to hitting in this camp and Schmidt said he will speak to hitters about that during his several weeks in camp.

One of the most interesting things that Schmidt said in a meeting with reporters Monday morning pertained to reigning NL MVP Ryan Braun, who last week won his appeal against Major League Baseball and had a suspension overturned after testing positive for a performance enhancing drug.

Interesting, huh? said Schmidt, sounding skeptical of the verdict. Good lawyering.

The three-time NL MVP added: I dont know that innocence or guilt has been established at this point in time. Id surely like to believe in innocence because Ryan Braun is a good kid. We were together in the World Baseball Classic and I got to know him. I surely hope that everything he says about it not being true is the truth, but just the fact that he was exonerated does not mean theyve gotten to the truth, unfortunately.

More on Schmidts role in Phillies camp coming later.

E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com

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