Rafael Palmeiro tests positive for steroids

[Bill]

Well Bud finally caught a big name player. I just don't think he was hoping it was this one, especially after Palmeiro's testimony before Congress in March.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2121659

[mrdobolina]

It's a shame for sure. I've been watching him since he came up with the Cubs way back when.

Was Palmeiro one of the guys that Canseco outed as a steroid user? If so, this adds a lot of oomph to Canseco's book.

[Bill]

Yeah, Canseco out'd him, and Rafael made a big deal about how offended he was, etc...

Palmeiro in March, under oath, before Congress: "I have never used steroids. Period."

Not that they could prove perjury, but McGwire's whiny refusal to answer anything on point is looking more and more like the correct way to go

[Mariner]

This is a shame but not that surprising unfortunately. Being indignant works so much better when you are innocent. I'm sure he'll try to maintain that it was all a mistake. Perhaps he'll blame the positive test results on Viagra.

[bbnbama]

I'm sorry....if you knew this screening was something that could potentially happen to you and especially if you were one of the ones in the Congressional hearing, don't you think you'd be smart enough to get off the damn stuff before they made an ass out of you? I don't get it......and I hate giving ammunition to Conseco.....

[Torpedo]

I was pretty shocked to hear this. I figured he never did and wouldn't take any steroids, however I'd like to know what banned substance he took. I don't think he took it intentionally after the Congress thing. He wouldn't be that stupid.

[EvaLaruefan]

I was a little shocked to hear this too after the whole whole hoopla, but I don't see why Jose would lie about anyone using steroids, it won't get him anything so whoever he named, I guess it's all true.

[Bill]

I was pretty shocked to hear this. I figured he never did and wouldn't take any steroids, however I'd like to know what banned substance he took. I don't think he took it intentionally after the Congress thing. He wouldn't be that stupid.

NY Times / ESPN is reporting:

Rafael Palmeiro's positive steroid test was for stanozolol, a powerful anabolic steroid that is not available in dietary supplements, according to a newspaper report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2123113

That is the same steroid that Canadian Ben Johnson was nailed for in the Olympics.

[QuinntheEskimo]

something is about to hit the fan!!

the MLB players union is going to go thru the roof when they find out that this supposed "private" information was leaked by MLB. This is a clear privacy infringement and violation of the bargaining agreement. Baseball players and owners have slowly worked towards fixing the steroid problem- but i have a feeling this privacy infringement could be the deal breaker...

[Bill]

I agree Quinn. The leak source is someone close to the testing process itself. There is going to be a lot of gnashing of teeth over this.

Even more intriguing is that Ryan Franklin is unhappy, claiming he tested postive, then three weeks later tested negative on the follow up, but is now suspended. Did he get himself a wizzinator for the second test? Or is there a flaw in the testing process?