Raffael Palmeiro
Despite what Don's Attic says, at this point, Rafael's not guilty of perjury, as Jose Conseco's claim that Palmeiro took steroids back in the day are not proven. All we know currently is that for some reason, at the twilight of his career, the future Hall of Famer decided to jeopardize everything he had acquired in terms of records, honor, and a place in Cooperstown, by taking steroids.
In March Palmeiro testified in front of a Special House Committee in response to Jose Conseco's book, which had explicitly announced Palmeiro, McGuire, and many others, as users of steroids. Palmeiro, at the hearing, looked up from his written statement, pointed at the committee members and said in dramatic fashion: "I have never used steroids..period".
Palmeiro now maintains that he has never "intentionally used steroids". He has been suspended for 10 days.
posted by Jack @ 4:46 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
So, if we can conclude that he has taken steroids for at least part of his major league career, does he still deserve to be a member of the exclusive 500/3000 club? And would you vote for him to be in the Hall of Fame? I wouldn't, because I don't think the guy has ever been a franchise player. Oh, I'd guess that a few of his 3000-odd hits would qualify as "important." But I can't recall any.
Palmeiro undoubtedly deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, as he has all of the qualifications. It's absurd the journalists get to decide who's a "franchise player" when all they know about the team structure comes from phony interviews where players give vapid answers to their equally meaningless questions.
3000 hits and 500 home runs is production. He helped many teams win many games. That is more than the vast majority of players can say and that is what makes him a hall of famer and them not.
Since it is his first steroids offense, he should not be banned from the hall of fame. If the official baseball policy states that one offense only deserves a 10 game suspension, than so be it. If one is "banned for life", than you are banned from the hall of fame.
Pitchers who are thrown out of games for throwing spitballs aren't denied entry to the hall of fame.
If it guarantees 6 months of health, then why can't Ken Griffey stay healthy for that period of time? Roids also increase the risk of many injuries.
Post a Comment
<< Home