Palmeiro suspended for steroids

[ROMOSAPIEN9]

Still think Jose Canseco is a liar?


Source says Palmeiro will be suspended ESPN.com news services


Baltimore Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro will be suspended by Major League Baseball for violating the league's steroids policy, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney has confirmed with a league source.


Rafael Palmeiro
First Base
Baltimore Orioles
Profile


2005 SEASON STATISTICS
GM HR RBI R OBP AVG
103 18 59 46 .354 .280




Palmeiro, who recently got his 3,000th career hit, was noted for his emotional denial of steroid use before a Congressional panel in March, would be the latest player suspended under the league's new drug policy.

The image of Palmeiro taking a sweet swing from the left side of the plate has been replaced in some minds by the sight of him testifying before a House committee investigating steroids in baseball.

The hearing included testimony from Jose Canseco, who in his book cited Palmeiro and several other players as steroid users. Palmeiro emphatically denies using the performance-enhancing drug, but the Baltimore Orioles' first baseman can't deny how perceptions have changed.

"In my opinion, everyone that plays baseball in this era has been tainted," Palmeiro said during spring training. "Not just the people that he has named in the book, I think this whole era over the last 10, 15 or 20 years has been tainted. Regardless of whether you did or you didn't do anything, this whole era will have that label."


Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

 

[k19]

whoooooooooooooops. Perfect timing too, right after 3k

 

[Payton34Smith22]

Oh No! I have to believe it was some sort of supplement that had an illegal substance in it.

He can not possibly be that stupid because at the hearings, Palmeiro really came out looking the best. He did play with Canseco in Texas though, so Never underestimate how stupid some people can be I guess.

Too bad, one of my fav players....

 

[Yeagermeister]

I'll be surprised if it's anything more than a supplement that he didn't know had a banned substance in it.

 

[ROMOSAPIEN9]

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Palmeiro suspended for steroids policy violation
By Hal Bodley, USA TODAY
Baltimore Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro, who testified before Congress on March 17 that he'd never used steroids, was suspended by Commissioner Bud Selig on Monday for 10 days for violating baseball's steroids policy. (Related video: Palmeiro testifies before Congress)

Rafael Palmeiro is one of four players to amass 3,000 career hits and 500 career home runs.
By Elaine Thompson, AP

The announcement was made prior to the Orioles 12:35 p.m. ET game at Camden Yards against the Chicago White Sox.

In remarks prepared for a conference call Monday, Palmeiro said he had accepted his punishment and could not explain how the steroids got into his body.

"I have never intentionally used steroids. Never. Ever. Period," he said. "Ultimately, although I never intentionally put a banned substance into my body, the independent arbitrator ruled that I had to be suspended under the terms of the program."

A grievance filed by the players' union against the suspension was denied.

Palmeiro, who passed 3,000 hits this season, is the seventh major leaguer suspended under baseball's new drug program that became effective in March. He by far has the highest profile of any of the previous players disciplined.

Palmeiro during the highly publicized March 17 hearing on steroids conducted by the House of Representatives Government Reform Committee said, under oath, he'd never used steroids even though former Texas Rangers teammate Jose Canseco said otherwise in his book, Juiced.

Palmeiro's statement: "Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Rafael Palmeiro and I am a professional baseball player. I'll be brief in my remarks today. Let me start by telling you this: I have never used steroids. Period. I don't know how to say it any more clearly than that. Never. The reference to me in Mr. Canseco's book is absolutely false. I am against the use of steroids. I don't think athletes should use steroids and I don't think our kids should use them. That point of view is one, unfortunately, that is not shared by our former colleague, Jose Canseco. Mr. Canseco is an unashamed advocate for increased steroid use by all athletes."

Palmeiro, 40, signed a one-year contract with the Orioles for 2004 that paid him $4.15 million. The Orioles exercised an option for 2005 at $3 million.

Unless reversed, the suspension will cost Palmeiro $165,746.

In 103 games this season Palmeiro is batting .280, with 18 homers and 59 runs batted in. Palmeiro had one hit in the Orioles' 9-4 loss to the White Sox in Sunday night's nationally televised game.

Palmeiro's 567 career home runs and 3,018 hits make him a leading candidate for the Hall of Fame five years after he retires. When he collected his 3,000th hit on July 15 off Seattle's Joel Pineiro, Palmeiro joined Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray as the only players in baseball history with at least 3,000 hits and 500 home runs.

Saturday, during a press conference in Cooperstown, N.Y., new members Wade Boggs and Ryne Sandberg both said Palmiero should — and will — be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Contributing: The Associated Press

 

[trickblue]

He said he has never "knowingly" taken steroids...

 

[Danny White]

I don't know... this, coupled with Canseco's accusations, make him look pretty bad. I'm sure they wouldn't suspend a player of his stature unless they were pretty convinced.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

He said he has never "knowingly" taken steroids...

Meaning that he believes he might have but is unsure...or,

He feels someone gave him something and he truly didnt know (seems unlikely)...or,

He is mimicking Bonds answer from a year or so ago.

Either way.

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

Man... that sucks. Here I was sticking up for Raffy because his name has been brought up lately on the topic of "borderline Hall of Famers" since some writers don't think he should get in, since his stats are from longevity and the power/steroids era, and he never had that many dominant single seasons. This really hurts his chances for a HOF vote.

 

[trickblue]

Meaning that he believes he might have but is unsure...or,

He feels someone gave him something and he truly didnt know (seems unlikely)...or,

He is mimicking Bonds answer from a year or so ago.

Either way.

My point is that that is the new "mantra"

I never KNOWINGLY took steroids...

Meaning... I told my trainer to inject me with saline solution ONLY... any steroids he may have used are not to my knowledge...

 

[Kangaroo]

My point is that that is the new "mantra"

I never KNOWINGLY took steroids...

Meaning... I told my trainer to inject me with saline solution ONLY... any steroids he may have used are not to my knowledge...

Yep that I am so stupid and my body is what makes me money so i just let them stick anything they want into me defense.

I did not by it for a minute from his testimony; but I am a cynic and figured Jose was telling the truth.

 

[trickblue]

Yep that I am so stupid and my body is what makes me money so i just let them stick anything they want into me defense.

I did not by it for a minute from his testimony; but I am a cynic and figured Jose was telling the truth.

Probably what happened is that he mistook his viagra pill for some banned substance...

 

[ROMOSAPIEN9]

STATEMENT FROM RAFAEL PALMEIRO:

"Thank you very much for joining me on this call today. I am saddened that we are here to address this issue, but because of the importance of it, I feel the need to make a brief statement and address your questions. At the outset, let me say that under the rules of the basic agreement and the order of the independent arbitrator, there is an order of confidentiality governing the specifics of this case. I will attempt to state as much as I can and be as forthright as possible, but there will be issues I can't address based on orders imposed on me by the basic agreement and the arbitration process. I am here to make it very clear that I have never intentionally used steroids. Never. Ever. Period. When I found out that I failed a test under the new drug policy, I filed a grievance and challenged the suspension on the basis that I have never intentionally taken a banned substance. Ultimately, although I never intentionally put a banned substance into my body the independent arbitrator ruled that I had to be suspended under the terms of the program.

I am sure you will ask how I tested positive for a banned substance. As I look back, I don't have a specific answer to give. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to explain to the arbitrator how the banned substance entered my body. The arbitrator did not find that I used a banned substance intentionally in fact, he said he found my testimony to be compelling but he ruled that I could not meet the heavy burden imposed on players who test positive under the new drug policy. I accept this punishment and want to address it publicly. I want to apologize to MLB, the Baltimore Orioles organization, my teammates, and most of all, my fans. Given my role with the No Tolerance Committee and my relationships with Congress, I feel the need to communicate a serious message to my fellow players and to kids everywhere. All of us have to be responsible and exercise extreme care in what we put in our body. I hope that all MLB players and kids will learn from what has happened to me. I have never intentionally used a banned substance, but I unfortunately wasn't careful enough. I take my role as a professional athlete seriously. I love baseball and have great respect for all of the players who played before me. I have always done my best to live each day in ways that would make my family proud. Everything I have accomplished is the result of hard work and dedication to being the best possible player I can be. I feel terrible that this has happened, but I think there is something to be gained from it. If my situation results in the education of current and future players about the dangers of taking anything without a prescription from a licensed physician -- that is a positive. At the end of the day, it is important for all players to understand the risk of contamination and to be very careful about what they put in their body. This suspension is going to be incredibly difficult for me, my wife and my 2 boys. Over the next week and a half, I am going to spend time with my family. I am going to come back and will be as determined as ever to help the Orioles win this pennant race that we are in. We have worked very hard to be in a position to bring our fans a title, and I will not let this be a distraction.

Finally, I would like to thank Commissioner Selig and Mr. Angelos for their strong words of encouragement. I had the opportunity to speak with both of them and I am extremely appreciative of their support and friendship.

STATEMENT FROM ORIOLES OWNER PETER ANGELOS:

I am truly saddened by today's events. I have known Rafael Palmeiro for many years. He is a fine person, a great player and a true asset to his community. I know from personal experience that his accomplishments are due to hard work and his dedication to the game. I know that Rafael will accept the penalty under Baseball's important Drug Policy and that he will return to be a productive member of the Orioles.

STATEMENT FROM ORIOLES VICE PRESIDENT/BASEBALL OPERATIONS, MIKE FLANAGAN
I am obviously disappointed to hear the news of this suspension. Raffy has been a friend of mine for many years. He is one of the most dedicated and hard-working players in baseball. I know he would not violate the rules intentionally. I look forward to his return. We will surely miss him and his contribution to the club.

TAKEN FROM SI.COM

 

[dargonking999]

i knew the 24 HR in HR derby was dirty litle punk

 

[diehard2294]

maybe he used the same cream Sheffield did

 

[Billy Bullocks]

Sorry to any baseball fans, but your sport is completely bogus now. I mean, Look at Ruth's numbers when he like 49 homers (i think thats what it was). The next closest guy had like 24. Now, even when Bonds belts 74, other guys are hitting 45+. None of the records even really mean squat anymore. If Bonds breaks the record now, would anyone even really give him credit for it. I sure wont. I think it was a great show while it lasted, but most of us were in denial during the power surge, just enjoying the show.

 

[Garland powerplay]

They were trying to say the ball was juiced, now everybody can rest w/ the truth it was the players.

 

[jackrussell]

Probably what happened is that he mistook his viagra pill for some banned substance...

See what Bob costas had to say about that...http://www.comedycentral.com/sitewide/media_player/play.jhtml?itemId=16681...(after that darn coke commercial)

 

[Cbz40]

See what Bob costas had to say about that...http://www.comedycentral.com/sitewide/media_player/play.jhtml?itemId=16681...(after that darn coke commercial)

Thank you for the link Jack