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'I Made a Mistake'
A sign on the warehouse at Camden Yards pays tribute to Rafael Palmeiro's milestone. "I hope people learn from my mistakes."
(By Gail Burton -- Associated Press)
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"What are you covering up?" Martinez said. "I thought we had this in the open. I thought we were trying to clean the game up and we want you to trust us when you're not giving us the time frame. Did they have this before he had 3,000 hits? If that's the case, they're turning their head again, like they did in '98."
Palmeiro's worthiness for the Hall of Fame will also likely be questioned. Those who had already been skeptical of the first baseman's merits now have more to ponder when his name appears on the ballot after he retires.
"I'm more torn now because he told Congress he never used steroids," said Chicago Tribune baseball writer Mark Gonzales, a Hall of Fame voter.
Palmeiro said he won't concern himself with his Hall of Fame status.
"That's really not for me to determine," Palmeiro said. "I hope that people look at my whole career and appreciate that I've given everything that I've got. I respect the game. I respect my opponents. I respect the players that came before me. I respect the Hall of Fame. If they think I'm worthy enough, I would be very honored. If they don't, I gave it all that I had for this game."
Palmeiro said his positive test result won't affect his decision on whether to play next season. The Orioles said they have not even begun to think whether Palmeiro will be offered a contract. Instead Baltimore officials appeared simply stunned.
"I think the guys were taken back by it," Orioles Manager Lee Mazzilli said. "They were saddened. I think they were a little disappointed at what happened. They all wanted to give their support to Raffy."
Orioles owner Peter Angelos expressed his support.
"I have known Rafael Palmeiro for many years," Angelos said. "He is a fine person, a great player and a true asset to his community. I know from personal experience that his accomplishments are due to hard work and his dedication to the game. I know that Rafael will accept the penalty under baseball's important drug policy and that he will return and be a productive member of the Orioles."
For his part, Palmeiro simply asked fans for understanding.
"I hope I can have their support and understanding of what I'm going through because this is the toughest time I've gone through in my life with anything that I've dealt with," Palmeiro said. "Hopefully they can accept me and let me come back and finish the season and help them get back to the playoffs."
