Rafael Palmiero tests positive for steroids

[davepeck]

Major League Baseball is expected to announce within the hour that Raphael Palmiero has tested positive for steroids...

source: WFAN

[antbach]

I didn\'t know Viagra was considered a steroid. . .

[Spacey]

not surprising at all. will this taint his hit total?

[davepeck]

Palmeiro suspended for drug 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 games for violating baseball\'s drug 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.

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

Palmeiro, whose 567 career home runs and 3,018 hits make him a leading candidate for the Hall of Fame five years after he retires, immediately appealed the disciplinary action.

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.

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.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/orioles/2005-08-01-palmeiro-suspension_x.htm

not surprised? i am.. shit, i mean, how dumb can you be? he knew he was gonna be tested.. christ..

i just really, really, really hope Giambi is smarter than this...

[bezerker]

giambi = juiced rat scalion

[Wolfman]

I hope Giambi is legit.  I would love to be able to give him credit for working his way back.  But I would bet 20 bucks that he is using.

Next angle: Would you vote Palmeiro into the Hall of Fame?
I would not.  I can\'t vote in a guy with no integrity all.  After lying to Congress and disrespecting the game, I wouldn\'t insult the other guys in the Hall like that.  You don\'t have to be a saint, but there are certain vices and transgressions that can be overlooked and others that cannot, and these are in violation.  Heck, I would rather vote for Rose than Palmeiro; they both disrespected the game, but at least Rose\'s accomplishments were legitimate.

[antbach]

I think Giambi finally got his head clear. And, to me, he does look a little bulkier, but I honestly don\'t think he\'s juicing again. I think he\'s on the Jim Thome diet of burgers, steaks, chicken, and beer. Either way, he is no doubt the comeback player of the year to compliment NY also having the rookie of the year (I don\'t see them having the MVP because the three cadidates will take votes from each other like last year).

And for Palmiero: ARE YOU FUCKIN\' KIDDING ME? Seriously, his career is nearing its end and now his HOF status is contaminated worse than his body.

[Spacey]

Gaimbi needs to be clean. It would save his character if it can be proved that he hasn\'t used steriods during his comeback this season.

I am disappointed in Palmiero, what was he thinking? A contender for the hall of fame and he throws it away. Could it be that he was just using steriods to stay competitive with the younger players in the league, still no excuse but interesting thought. Also, he lied to congress and made canseco look like a lying rat. To me, he completely destroyed his character in the matter of moments.

[antbach]

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."

Soutce: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2121659

That\'s just silly, just admit it guy.

[Spacey]

this is just sad.

how does he think steriods got in his system?

[helluvahat]

this is just sad.

how does he think steriods got in his system?

Maybe deer ticks are juicin\' nowadays.

[Spacey]

this is just sad.

how does he think steriods got in his system?

Maybe deer ticks are juicin\' nowadays.

:lol:

I guess anything is possible...