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.
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.
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.
