Negotiation Nonverbal Communication # 1203: Overcompensating Dominance Display

It is important to always interpret body language in context. This method of "holding one's bat" may be common in professional (or college, high school, etc.) baseball. However, the obvious phallic symbol is blatant, so over-the-top, one cannot simply say the behavior we see exhibited here is limited to just playing baseball. Men will use this and other nonverbal displays to suggest and project dominance - and have done so throughout human history (see below). In modern society - athletes in large measure, play the roles that warriors did in our more ancient cultures. If Ryan Braun or Prince Fielder posed this same way at the grocery store or anywhere else besides this narrow context, they would not be allotted the social latitude they enjoy on the baseball diamond. It is interesting to note that (with rare exception) women softball players don't position their bats in such a fashion.

Ryan Braun had tested extremely high for exogenous sources of testosterone last fall. However due to a chain-of-custody issue, a MLB arbitration panel overturned Braun's 50 day suspension. This is the first time a major league baseball player has successfully challenged a drug-related penalty.

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 817: Anger and Steroids in Milwaukee

Say it ain't so Ryan. Well, it doesn't matter what Ryan Braun, left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers may say - because his blood tested positive for performance enhancing drugs (PED) and his face says anger. When the eyes are open wider than normal - as they certainly are here - fear, surprise and moderate to severe anger should come immediately to mind. Specifically, there are more "whites of the eyes" (sclera) exposed in this image - and in body language colloquial, I call these eyes "white and wide". Neither surprise or fear is displayed on Ryan's face. This emotion is anger. 

In addition to his eyes, take note of Braun's upper lip. It is thinned and stretched laterally. His "mustache area" is also tightened - as is his entire mid-face. Ryan's nostrils (especially on his right) are flared - consistent with anger, contempt and disgust - but also with athletic activity. However, since his mouth isn't open - and thus he's not out of breath - these nostril findings reinforce the nonverbal gesture cluster of anger.

It is interesting to note that with abnormally high levels of testosterone, as those found in Braun's blood samples, have been correlated with what has become known as " 'Roid Rage" - a significantly higher incidence of aggressiveness, hostility, anxiety and paranoid ideation.

Despite being named the 2011 National League Most Valuable Player, Ryan Braun faces a 50 game suspension if the findings are upheld. 

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