Posted on 09/24/2005 11:12:36 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
Sep 23, 2005 — NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rafael Palmeiro's season came to an abrupt end on Friday, when the Baltimore Orioles slugger was told by the American League team to stay at home for the remainder of the campaign.
Palmeiro was scheduled to return from injury for the final homestand of the season, but was informed by the club on the eve of his 41st birthday that he would not be required for the balance of the regular schedule, ending on October 2.
The Cuban-born player picked up a 10-day suspension earlier this season for a drugs violation and the controversy had become a distraction to the team, according to club officials.
Palmeiro said he received a shot of vitamin B-12 during his unsuccessful appeal filed by the players' association to overturn the ban he picked up for a positive drug test.
It was widely reported that he suggested the vitamin might have been the reason he posted a positive result, and he said that it was given to him by team mate Miguel Tejada.
The decision to end Palmeiro's season came during a meeting with several team officials.
The player reportedly wanted to return to the team to finish the season after recovering from a series of injuries that kept him out of the line-up since early September.
His employers deemed otherwise.
" for a variety of reasons," Orioles executive vice president Jim Beattie said.
"One, he would not play very much, if at all. And for him to get back into the flow of things would take some time, and then, obviously, the distraction of bringing all this back into the clubhouse.
"It's better off for these guys to be allowed to play out the season with as little distraction as they can. It's been a long season with respect to that."
Palmiero's a washed up has-been. The drug test didn't help him, and it didn't help his stats, either.
Hall of Shame is an excellent observation. Have to tell you I think he did little for the Os but hey I am just a chick who became a fan through my beloved.
Oh, there ya go, why didn't he blame the results on Viagra? Actually did not know he used it but really that does give a new spin on the love affair with athletes.
I'd like to have Palmiero, McGuire, Bonds, and Sosa all denied into the Hall of Fame. I don't think any of them should be walking in. If we have stood our ground on the Pete Rose issue....then we ought to stand our ground on these guys with steriod issues. Ted Williams never used steriods. Babe Ruth never used steriods. And Willie Mays never used steriods. To put these characters into the hall....makes it a worthless honor. I think we'd all agree on that fact.
Oops...looks like Pres. Bush was wrong on this one.
I agree, at least about Palmiero and Sosa, but not necessarily for the steroid stuff.
Palmiero and Sosa have both failed to be impact players. They've racked up some great stats, but haven't done much for the teams they've played for. Heck, almost every HR Sosa has this year has been with nobody on base and/or when the game was already in the bag.
If we had more definitive proof that these guys' performance was drug-enhanced, I'd be fully on board with you. Strawberry is a perfect example.
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