by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright August 2, 2005
All Rights Reserved.

altimore Orioles' future Hall-of-Fame slugger Rafael Palmeiro got caught with his pants down testing positive for steroids, after testifying March 18 before the House Government Reform Committee that “I have never used steroids.” After being the fourth player in Major League Baseball history to hit 3,000 hits and 500 homeruns, Palmeiro was considered a shoe-in for the Hall-of-Fame. Now that his record is tainted by a positive drug test, it's questionable whether the Baseball Writers Assn. will show much mercy. Palmeiro's denial was so emphatic, the committee enlisted him to help tell youngsters about the dangers of steroid use. “I have never used steroids. Period. I do not know how to say it any more clearly than that. Never,” said Rafael, after former MLB ballplayer Jose Canseco confessed in his tell-all book “Juiced,” that he personally injected Palmeiro with steroids while teammates on the Texas Rangers.

      After MLB Commissioner Bud Selig issued a mandatory 10-day suspension, Palmeiro defended himself in a conference call to the press. While accepting his punishment, Palmeiro emphatically denied that her ever knowingly took steroids, implying that he must have ingested contaminated nutritional supplements. He also lamented “the heavy burden imposed on players who test positive under the new drug policy,” especially someone like himself who never knowingly took steroids. Palmeiro's story counters Canseco's sworn testimony, fingering a number of baseball's biggest stars for abusing steroids, including current homerun king San Francisco Giant Barry Bonds, former St. Louis Cardinal homerun king Mark McGwire, former Boston Red Sox Pitcher Kurt Schilling, and former Chicago Cubs slugger and Baltimore Oriole designated hitter Sammy Sosa.

      Selig and MLB Players Union president Donald Fehr were pressured by Congress into adopting tough new drug policies or face more congressional action. “Steroids were part of the game, and I don't think anybody wanted to take a stance on it,” said Canseco at March's hearings. “If Congress does nothing about this issue, it could well go on forever,” blowing the whistle on MLB's dirty little secret. For years, baseball analysts observed the more muscular appearance of ballplayers, attributing it to more sophisticated workout regimes. “Did we have a major problem? No,” said Selig during congressional hearings, reluctant to allow Congress to impose stricter penalties. Selig eventually acquiesced, choosing tough new penalties over litigation or possible congressional action. Resistance to rules and enforcement about steroids not only stemmed from players but MLB's home office.

      Palmeiro's problems now resemble former President Bill Clinton's when he denied under oath he ever had “sexual relations, with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.” We all know now what Clinton mean when he said “sexual relations.” Too much corroborating evidence piled up leaving Clinton discredited and untrustworthy. Palmeiro's recent denials exacerbate his damage control by insulting the intelligence of sports writers trying to make sense of his denials. “Rafael Palmeiro is the president's friend, and the president believes Mr. Palmeiro,” said White House spokesman Scott McClellan, hoping to get Palmeiro off the hook. Whether Palmeiro took steroids directly or injected performance-enhancing supplements, it's reasonable to conclude, at the very least, he tried to get a leg up on the competition with technologically advanced supplements.

      Testing positive for steroids from laced supplements is about at likely winding up pregnant from a swim in the backyard pool. Palmeiro expects sports writers and fans to accept his explanation without questioning his sincerity. Canseco specifically told in his book of injecting Palmeiro, Juan Gonzalez and Ivan Rodriguez with human growth hormone and steroids in 1992 while teammates on the Texas Rangers. It's difficult entirely dismissing Canseco's account and believing Palmeiro, especially in light widespread steroid abuse. According to New York University anti-doping expert Dr. Gary Wadler, it's likely that Palmeiro's positive drug test came from contaminated supplements. Whether Wadler knows something definitive is anyone's guess. Given Canseco's charges and Palmeiro's newly qualified denials, it's getting more difficult to accept far-flung explanations.

      Facing possible perjury, Palmeiro had no choice other that continuing his categorical denials. Whether he took steroids directly or accidentally ingested them in contaminated nutritional products can't be known with 100% certainty. Yet given his emphatic denials in Congress, his new explanation seems to hurt his credibility. “In light of his testimony and the concerns that had been expressed, I find it mystifying he would use something that could be a steroid or anything like a steroid,” said Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles), disappointed by Palmeiro's recent drug test. Had Palmeiro been less emphatic in his past testimony, he might have found more wiggle room with his recent denials. Palmeiro looks well-coached—but not sincere. Instead of all the fancy footwork, a little more humility and contriteness would go a long way in changing hearts and reversing the damage.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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