Of the major-league players who testified before Congress on March 17, no one walked away stronger than Rafael Palmeiro. He didn’t lose his ability to speak English. He didn’t avoid tough questions.
Instead, he seized the moment to defend his reputation against former teammate Jose Canseco’s published allegations. Palmeiro received praise for adamantly denying ever using steroids.
That is no longer the case. By his own admission, Palmeiro made a mistake, suspended 10 days Monday for violating Major League Baseball’s steroids policy.
Two weeks ago, he became only the fourth player with 3,000 hits and 500 home runs, casting him as a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Now, he is, by definition, a cheater.
“I am here to make it clear that I have never intentionally used steroids,” Palmeiro said Monday. “Never. Ever. Period. I am sure you will ask how I tested for a banned substance. As I look back, I don’t have a specific answer to give.”
Palmeiro is the seventh player suspended under the new policy, including Rockies outfielder Jorge Piedra, but the first superstar. Palmeiro’s punishment sent shock waves through baseball, reaching the Rockies before they boarded a plane to San Francisco.
“I am dumbfounded,” said Rockies pitcher Mike DeJean, a teammate of Palmeiro’s in Baltimore last season. “I can’t imagine what he’s going through in his mind and what his family is going through.”
The Players Association filed a grievance on Palmeiro’s behalf, challenging the test results. While Palmeiro’s testimony was compelling, arbiter Shyam Das declined to overturn the ruling.
Palmeiro said Monday he would accept his punishment and asked for forgiveness from fans.
“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,” Palmeiro said. “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.”
Palmeiro provided an enduring image 4 1/2 months ago before Congress, declaring himself clean, while condemning steroids. On July 7, he participated in a roundtable discussion involving all four major sports leagues aimed at eradicating performance-enhancing drugs.
That’s what made Monday’s announcement so jarring.
“Why would I do this in a year when I went in front of Congress and I testified and I told the truth?” Palmeiro said. “Why would I do this during a season where I was going to get to 3,000 hits? It just makes no sense. … I’m not a crazy person.”
Speaking on ESPN radio, former teammate Todd Zeile questioned Palmeiro’s explanation, saying it was hard believe the Orioles’ great unknowingly used steroids. Canseco, on the same program, suggested Palmeiro’s test result stemmed from “an imprint left behind” from steroid use several years ago.
White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, who faced the Orioles on Monday without Palmeiro in the lineup, defended the slugger.
“Personally I don’t think he’s taken anything illegal,” Buehrle said. “There’s so much stuff out there that guys get busted on that don’t say steroids.”
The Rockies and White Sox are among teams that oversee supplement use, requesting that players clear any product with them before consumption. The union also provides players a list of banned substances in English and Spanish.
“You have to know what you are taking,” DeJean said. “There’s too much to lose, and it can lead to a very embarrassing situation.”
U.S. Representative Elijah E. Cummings from Maryland, active in his opposition to steroids, expressed disappointment with Palmeiro, who received a congratulatory phone call from President Bush, the former owner of the Texas Rangers, after reaching 3,000 hits July 15.
“I am further disappointed that Mr. Palmeiro has not only violated baseball’s steroid-use policy,” Cummings said, “but also has failed to take full responsibility for his errors by not acknowledging how steroids were found in his body.”
Palmeiro’s suspension suggested to players interviewed that no one is immune from a positive test, a criticism lodged at baseball as a battery of minor-leaguers and low-profile major-leaguers were suspended.
“You hate to see this, but it shows it’s working,” Rockies player representative Jason Jennings said. “That’s the whole point, that some guys will get caught and that it will serve as a deterrent.”
Palmeiro’s suspension runs until Aug. 12. His legacy, however, may be forever tainted.
“I respect the Hall of Fame, and if they think that I’m worthy enough, I would be very honored,” Palmeiro said. “And if they don’t, I gave all that I had to this game.”
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
