Pointing a finger angrily at people means NEVER.
Flash forward to August 1, 2005. Palmeiro is suspended by Major League Baseball for testing positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol. During his career, Palmeiro launched 569 home runs and collected 3,020 hits. Both benchmark numbers that typically earn entrance in to the Baseball Hall of Fame. I guess integrity means something to the Baseball Writers of America since Palmeiro's best result in the Hall voting came in 2012 when he garnered 12.6% of the vote. You need 75% to gain election to the Hall, so it's safe to say that Palmeiro won't be joining that club anytime soon.
You would think that today's players might have learned a lesson from Palmeiro. Think again. Yesterday, Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers was suspended for the remaining 65 games of the season for his involvement in the Biogenesis of America performance enhancing drug investigation. Braun is no stranger to failed drug tests. In 2011, he failed a test that measured elevated testosterone level in his system. Braun successfully appealed the results and was never suspended because questions surrounded the way in which the sample was handled.
Part of Braun's statement after the suspension was overturned included this little gem. "It is the first step in restoring my good name and reputation. We were able to get through this because I am innocent and the truth is on our side." Well, Mr. Braun, considering you just made a behind-the-scenes deal with MLB to suspend you for the remaining 65 games this season even before they released the findings of the Biogenesis investigation, it must mean that the truth is that you also used PED's and suffer from Palmeiro's disease.
He forgot the finger point. Do not pass go. Do not collect your millions of dollars.
Many more players are going to be suspended in the coming days once the full results of the Biogenesis investigation are revealed. Hopefully, the guilty will just admit they made a mistake and save some of their integrity.
Are you ready, Alex Rodriguez?
Somewhere in America, a distraught and down-on-his-luck Jose Canseco is still waiting for an apology from somebody.
ReplyDeleteJose was really the most truthful guy out there.
DeleteCommon sense tells us Rafael Palmeiro was telling the truth on March 17th, 2005 and that he didn't start taking PEDs until March 18th, 2005. Matter a fact, he bought them from McGwire since PEDs were in his past and he no longer had a use for them.
ReplyDeleteJust remember what Mark McGwire said in front of Congress. He's wasn't there to talk about the past. ;)
DeleteIt's a shame that these athletes have been instilled with such a competitve nature since childhood that they will do anything to get an edge; even risking their careers.
ReplyDeleteI think a major problem is the promise of the huge contract if they put up big numbers for a couple seasons. Money has ruined sports.
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