Braun a prime example of ‘longevity, consistency’

MILWAUKEE — In his age-32 season, Ryan Braun may not feel the same physically as he did while producing MVP-type numbers year after year early in his career, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that by looking at the season he’s stringing together.

Braun’s notable 2016 campaign continued on Sunday afternoon as he blasted two more homers and drove in six of the Brewers’ runs in a 7-3 win over the Reds at Miller Park. With a month and a half remaining in the season, Braun is batting .328 with a .962 OPS, 22 homers, 13 stolen bases, a .402 wOBA and 149 weighted runs created-plus. A six-time All-Star and 2011 MVP, Braun is on pace to best his career averages in each one of those categories.

All of this is being done with manager Craig Counsell closely monitoring Braun’s playing time. Despite being bothered by shoulder, wrist and side injuries that have all kept him from the lineup at times this season, Braun has remained off the DL — thanks in large part to him and the Brewers keeping an eye on his health. At the beginning of the season, Counsell noted the goal was for Braun to play 140 games, which meant the regularly scheduled off-day would be in play.

Currently on pace to play in 134 games, this plan seems to be working well, as a healthy Braun looks like his younger self at the plate.

“The challenge in this game, obviously, is longevity and consistency,” …

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