Rafael- You're full of it.

Baltimore Orioles First baseman Rafael Palmiero has been suspened for ten games due to his violating Major League Baseball's steroid policy.


By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK - Rafael Palmeiro was suspended 10 days for violating Major League Baseball's steroids policy Monday, nearly five months after the Baltimore Orioles first baseman emphatically told Congress that "I have never used steroids. Period."

Palmeiro became the highest-profile player among the seven who have failed a test under the toughened major league policy that took effect in March, rules criticized by Congress as not being stringent enough.

In a conference call Monday, Palmeiro said he never intentionally took steroids and could not explain how the drugs got into his body. He also apologized and said would accept his punishment.

"I have never intentionally used steroids. Never. Ever. Period," he said. "Ultimately, although I never intentionally put a banned substance into my body, the independent arbitrator ruled that I had to be suspended under the terms of the program."

The 40-year-old is the seventh player to test positive for steroids under the policy adopted earlier this year. Palmeiro doubled on July 15 to join Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray as the only players with 3,000 hits and 500 homers.

Palmeiro said the arbitrator "did not find that I used a banned substance intentionally — in fact, he said he found my testimony to be compelling," but still ruled that he needed to serve the suspension. Palmeiro wouldn't go into the specifics but left the impression that the banned substance was contained in a supplement that was not prescribed.

A grievance filed by the players' union against the suspension was denied by arbitrator Shyam Das.

Appearing with Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and other baseball stars before a congressional committee on March 17, Palmeiro made an opening statement in which he said: "Let me start by telling you this: I have never used steroids. Period. I don't know how to say it any more clearly than that. Never."

Sure Rafael those were just vitamin supplements you were taking. You haven't just screwed up your image, your chance to make the Hall of Fame, but your body too. Was it all worth it? You're just another lying piece of excrement and no one with any sense will take you seriously ever again.

Hat tip- Poliblog