Ripken 'in a state of denial' over Palmeiro's test

ESPN.COM ^ | 10 August 2005 | AP

[MikefromOhio]

HUNT VALLEY, Md. -- Calling steroid use "cheating" and a "black cloud" hanging over Major League Baseball, former Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken said he was dismayed Rafael Palmeiro tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance and was suspended.

Speaking Tuesday at a media event for next month's Constellation Energy Classic, the Champions Tour golf event for which he is honorary chairman, Ripken said he was "shocked, surprised, just like everyone else. I hope there's a reason or an explanation."

Ripken, who played with Palmeiro from 1994 to 1998, said he was in the Bahamas when he learned his former teammate -- only the fourth player in major-league history with 3,000 hits and 500 home runs -- received a 10-day suspension after testing positive for steroids.

"I don't want to think it's true. I'm in a state of denial," Ripken said.

Ripken, who will become eligible to be voted into the Hall of Fame in 2007, said he understands why fans are upset and why they assume everyone who puts up big numbers is on steroids.

"That's the result of the black cloud on baseball," Ripken said. "Until it's rid of steroids, people are naturally going to think that."

[MikefromOhio]

Cal may have been the only guy actually slandered in the Cansucko book back in March. That said, Cal and Raffy were friends during Raffy's first stint with the O's and it is understandable that Cal would stick up for a friend and former team mate.

My Prediction: Steroids will end up doing more damage to the MLB than the '94 strike EVER did. And this time MLB will NOT have Cal to bring the fans back like he did in 1995.

[CharlesWayneCT]

He didn't really stick up for him. He just said he couldn't believe it. He didn't say he DIDN'T believe it.

And his statements did not show him to be in a state of denial. He actually SAID he was in a state of denial, meaning he could bring himself to believe it.

This normally is something said by someone who really DOES believe something, but simply finds it so shocking that they haven't come to grips with it yet.

[cripplecreek]

There are only two things wrong with baseball. Money and roids.

[Huck]

It's a little weird that everyone is so uptight about roids when MLB only banned them how long ago? 2 years?

[LowCountryJoe]

A player that introduces performance enhancing chemicals into his body - chemicals that will physically harm just him and shorten just his life but at the same time will probably increase his success - is breaking a federal law. A player that throws a beanball at another player in retaliation for a prior successful at bat, causing an injury that puts the batter on the disabled list for four to six weeks, is not breaking any law. The former is frowned upon and the latter is just good old fashioned baseball. Hmmm.

[MikefromOhio]

yes.

I was pointing more to his hope that there is an explanation for this.

I hope so too, but I doubt it.

[MikefromOhio]

It's a little weird that everyone is so uptight about roids when MLB only banned them how long ago? 2 years?

I think that is what is making it weird. I mean that was nearly 20 years after Ben Johnson had yellow eyes because of roids in Seoul in the olympics. The NFL has banned them for about that long as well....

Add to that there have been probably several Federal drug statutes broken and it is just a huge mess....

[Vision]

I've had professional contact with Cal a few times. I used to admire him but the last time I saw him forever branded him as an ass to me.

[LowCountryJoe]

Revenue sharing, territorial rights, MLB Players Union, prevalent subsidization from many municipalities through publicly funded ballparks, and a general downward trend in players who actually love the game.

[MikefromOhio]

so?

If you are throwing at heads you are wrong and eventually someone will be charged for that.

That said, you have to be a bit crazy to stand in against 6'10" Randy Johnson who throws nearly 100 MPH anyway....

I once hit a kid in the head in Colt League. And I felt like crap every time I saw the guy after that.....

[MikefromOhio]

I used to admire him but the last time I saw him forever branded him as an ass to me.

Well considering every time I saw him he was staying 5 or 6 hours after the game and signing 40,000+ autographs....

Why? What did he do? Pee in your cornflakes?

[Dolphan]

OK I'll bite...what happened b/w you and Cal last time you saw him...

[MikefromOhio]

I don't mind the money part so much, but the owners need to revenue share like they do in the NFL and a salary cap would be a good thing.....

[rabidralph]

Probably because he drives a Chevy :-)

[Huck]

Baseball is incredibly mismanaged. I haven't been to a game since 98. Most of the players are jerks not worth any of my time.

[LowCountryJoe]

Wait, do you believe that owners should share all revenue? I can see the TV deals being distributed but you advocate for all revenue being spread around on some type of proportional basis? And then you also advocate a price ceiling on what each organization can pay its labor inputs?

[Eagles Talon IV]

Ya gotta wonder why Barry Bonds name never seems to be connected by the media to steroid use. Does anyone truly doubt that this mans defying old man time is not caused by steroids? He conveniently takes the year off with an injury and is not subject to the steroid tests. My prediction is you will not ever again see Bonds play professional baseball because without steroids he is just another 42 year old ball player.

[TheForceOfOne]

Ripken 'in a state of denial...

Cal's in Egypt?

[DCPatriot]

IMO, somebody should ask the question how Cal Ripken managed to play 2632 games over all those years and never miss a start without the help of the muscle-healing powers of steroids.

He also played and trained with Brady Anderson who hit 50 HRs in a season...ONCE.

I doubt Cal Ripken Jr. only drank milk during his illustrious career.

[Hatteras]

"I used to admire him but the last time I saw him forever branded him as an ass to me."

Now that you've raised my curiosity...