TheDoyler23
March-31st-2005, 01:52 AM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/03/30/bc.bba.orioles.palmeiro.ap/index.html
Palmeiro's legacy
Orioles slugger chases 3,000 hits under steroid cloud
Posted: Wednesday March 30, 2005 2:04PM; Updated: Wednesday March 30, 2005 6:49PM
Rafael Palmeiro is 78 hits shy of joining the exclusive 3,000-hit, 500-homer club.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- For years, the words most associated with Rafael Palmeiro were power and consistency. Now for some, there's an addition to the list: steroids.
The image of Palmeiro taking a sweet swing from the left side of the plate has been replaced in some people's minds by the sight of him testifying this month in front of a House committee investigating the use of steroids in baseball.
The hearing included testimony from Jose Canseco, who in his best-selling and controversial book cited Palmeiro and several other players as steroid users. Palmeiro emphatically denies ever using the performance-enhancing drug, but the Baltimore Orioles' first baseman can't deny the effect of steroids on the perception of baseball players over the past two decades.
"In my opinion, everyone that plays baseball in this era has been tainted," Palmeiro said. "Not just the people that he has named in the book, I think this whole era over the last 10, 15 or 20 years has been tainted. Regardless of whether you did or you didn't do anything, this whole era will have that label."
Palmeiro needs only 78 hits to join Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray in the exclusive 3,000-hit, 500-homer club. His career numbers should earn him a ticket to the Hall of Fame -- unless voters believe that Palmeiro's gaudy numbers stem from the use of steroids.
"What can you do about it? All I can do is keep playing the game with passion, the way it's supposed to be played, and respect it," Palmeiro said.
Those close to Palmeiro know his success can be attributed to hard work and a seemingly effortless swing that has produced 551 homers and 2,922 hits.
"When I was with the Minnesota Twins and he was elsewhere, I would always use his swing as an example for some of our younger hitters," Orioles hitting coach Terry Crowley said. "Then we got a chance to hook up last year, and I got to see up close what I knew was a beautiful swing."
Sammy Sosa, who also testified before the House committee, played with Palmeiro on the Texas Rangers in 1989. At that time, the two spoke excitedly of doing great things in the major leagues. Sosa was traded to the Chicago White Sox three months later, but remained close to Palmeiro and is delighted to again be his teammate.
"He's got talent, and the numbers that he has is because he was working hard," Sosa said. "He's a smart hitter, he's got a good swing. He's always been an awesome hitter."
While Sosa chases the 600-homer mark this season -- he's only 26 away -- the 40-year-old Palmeiro will be zeroing in on his 3,000th hit. But both players are more intent upon helping the Orioles make a run at Boston and New York in the AL East.
"The season's more important, that's for sure," Palmeiro said. "I think the 3,000 hits, sort of like the 600 homers for Sammy, is a nice bonus for all of us and our fans to enjoy."
Back in 1989, Sosa and Palmeiro spoke excitedly about doing great things in the major leagues.
"We talked about the things we dreamed of, and they were just dreams, really," Palmeiro said. "As a young player, you don't realize the potential you have until you start playing and developing. But we had big dreams, and we've accomplished a lot them. All but the one that we want most, and that's to get to the World Series. It would mean so much to both of us to get there together."
Born in Cuba, Palmeiro played for Mississippi State before being selected by the Chicago Cubs as the 22nd overall pick in the 1985 amateur draft. He made it to the majors in his second pro season and hit only 33 homers in his first 414 games. At that point in his budding career, he was more concerned with holding onto his job than amassing Hall of Fame numbers.
"How do you think about something like that when you're just trying to stick in the big leagues? As a young player, all you want is to get a chance to play," he said. "You think I thought I'd play 19 years? I just wanted to make a career, make some money in this game and enjoy myself. This is all I ever wanted to be."
And how would he like to be remembered?
"I would hope for the most part," Palmeiro said, "people would look at me and say, 'There's a guy who worked his tail off and went about his business and played the game the right way. He left a mark, and then he moved on."'
Palmeiro's legacy
Orioles slugger chases 3,000 hits under steroid cloud
Posted: Wednesday March 30, 2005 2:04PM; Updated: Wednesday March 30, 2005 6:49PM
Rafael Palmeiro is 78 hits shy of joining the exclusive 3,000-hit, 500-homer club.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- For years, the words most associated with Rafael Palmeiro were power and consistency. Now for some, there's an addition to the list: steroids.
The image of Palmeiro taking a sweet swing from the left side of the plate has been replaced in some people's minds by the sight of him testifying this month in front of a House committee investigating the use of steroids in baseball.
The hearing included testimony from Jose Canseco, who in his best-selling and controversial book cited Palmeiro and several other players as steroid users. Palmeiro emphatically denies ever using the performance-enhancing drug, but the Baltimore Orioles' first baseman can't deny the effect of steroids on the perception of baseball players over the past two decades.
"In my opinion, everyone that plays baseball in this era has been tainted," Palmeiro said. "Not just the people that he has named in the book, I think this whole era over the last 10, 15 or 20 years has been tainted. Regardless of whether you did or you didn't do anything, this whole era will have that label."
Palmeiro needs only 78 hits to join Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray in the exclusive 3,000-hit, 500-homer club. His career numbers should earn him a ticket to the Hall of Fame -- unless voters believe that Palmeiro's gaudy numbers stem from the use of steroids.
"What can you do about it? All I can do is keep playing the game with passion, the way it's supposed to be played, and respect it," Palmeiro said.
Those close to Palmeiro know his success can be attributed to hard work and a seemingly effortless swing that has produced 551 homers and 2,922 hits.
"When I was with the Minnesota Twins and he was elsewhere, I would always use his swing as an example for some of our younger hitters," Orioles hitting coach Terry Crowley said. "Then we got a chance to hook up last year, and I got to see up close what I knew was a beautiful swing."
Sammy Sosa, who also testified before the House committee, played with Palmeiro on the Texas Rangers in 1989. At that time, the two spoke excitedly of doing great things in the major leagues. Sosa was traded to the Chicago White Sox three months later, but remained close to Palmeiro and is delighted to again be his teammate.
"He's got talent, and the numbers that he has is because he was working hard," Sosa said. "He's a smart hitter, he's got a good swing. He's always been an awesome hitter."
While Sosa chases the 600-homer mark this season -- he's only 26 away -- the 40-year-old Palmeiro will be zeroing in on his 3,000th hit. But both players are more intent upon helping the Orioles make a run at Boston and New York in the AL East.
"The season's more important, that's for sure," Palmeiro said. "I think the 3,000 hits, sort of like the 600 homers for Sammy, is a nice bonus for all of us and our fans to enjoy."
Back in 1989, Sosa and Palmeiro spoke excitedly about doing great things in the major leagues.
"We talked about the things we dreamed of, and they were just dreams, really," Palmeiro said. "As a young player, you don't realize the potential you have until you start playing and developing. But we had big dreams, and we've accomplished a lot them. All but the one that we want most, and that's to get to the World Series. It would mean so much to both of us to get there together."
Born in Cuba, Palmeiro played for Mississippi State before being selected by the Chicago Cubs as the 22nd overall pick in the 1985 amateur draft. He made it to the majors in his second pro season and hit only 33 homers in his first 414 games. At that point in his budding career, he was more concerned with holding onto his job than amassing Hall of Fame numbers.
"How do you think about something like that when you're just trying to stick in the big leagues? As a young player, all you want is to get a chance to play," he said. "You think I thought I'd play 19 years? I just wanted to make a career, make some money in this game and enjoy myself. This is all I ever wanted to be."
And how would he like to be remembered?
"I would hope for the most part," Palmeiro said, "people would look at me and say, 'There's a guy who worked his tail off and went about his business and played the game the right way. He left a mark, and then he moved on."'