Hypocrite of the Day

Rafael Palmeiro

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 told Congress that "I have never used steroids. Period."

"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.

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."

Palmeiro was so emphatic in his denial of steroid use that he pointed his index finger at the panel, and expressed indignation over accusations made by former slugger Jose Canseco, who cited Palmeiro as a steroid user in his tell-all book. In an interview on the CBS television show "60 Minutes," Canseco who also testified before Congress said he had injected Palmeiro with steroids when they were teammates for the Texas Rangers.

Each sport should have two record books, one prior to the appearance of steroids, and one after.

All you have to do is look at pictures of the athletes from the 70's and then today. Consider the basketball stars from the 70's, Kareem Abdul Jabbar was 7 foot, but skinny. Dr. J's afro was bigger than his chest. Remember those Boston teams, and how "physical" the games with L.A. were? They were wimps compared to today, where each player is obviously chemically enhanced.

The same is true with baseball. Just look at a younger Barry Bonds, or Sami Sosa. They weren't a hell of a lot bigger than I am (okay - exaggerating for effect there), and today they are massive. That's not natural no matter how much weight they lifted.

Personally, I don't care if somebody uses steroids or not. But lets not compare athletes of today with the older generation.

I just find it exceptionally amusing that Palmeiro is so indignant at Canseco, and so emphatic in the hearings (which I watched) and then he turns out to have tested positive. Every mention of his statistics should come with the "*steroid enhanced" caveat.

Pete Rose was a baseball player. These guys today are specimens.

** update **

On the other hand..

While Marino is honored this week, contrarians are sure to seize upon the one big blemish on his resume. The subject resurfaced last week during a national conference call to promote his Hall of Fame induction, when the first reporter asking a question noted that Marino never won a Super Bowl.

"I think about it sometimes, probably more while I was playing than I do now," Marino responded. "But that's part of life. There are a lot of people where I'm sure there are things in your life that you've wanted to accomplish that you haven't. You have to deal with things like that. I don't think it has taken away from my career at all."

Is the golden age of sport over? I remember so many of those great games and great players. I loved watching Marino play, as well as Fran Tarkington and Joe Montana. There were some really great quarterbacks. I watched Walter Payton, and a young Emmett Smith.

What about today? I don't watch basketball any more. I find that I can't identify with the "hood". It's not really a racist thing. If the NBA was all Chinese, I wouldn't watch it because I'm not Chinese. I'm not from the hood, so I can't watch a game that's dominated by players I have no empathy for.

I suppose it's about balance. I'm not an old man yet (but getting there), and some tattoos don't bother me. But, covered in tattoos? It's a matter of respect, and today's players think they are bigger than the game - as if the world owes them. Some kid comes out of high school and gets a $100 million dollar contract, and he hasn't done anything. Some players choke their coaches, or attack fans in the stands - clearly the type of people that would be in prison if not for basketball.

Then there is the matter of free agency, that has ruined professional sports. God I sound old saying it, but I remember when you had the same players year after year, with only a few changing hands here and there. Your team would get new players out of college, and you'd follow their career and development on your team.

I just looked at the roster for the Arizona Diamondbacks. I had season tickets and went to the '01 World Series games. The only name I recognize on the roster - Luis Gonzales.

For a number of years, hockey still had that old school flavor. They have a new labor agreement now, and I see that a lot of teams have cut long time star players. The hockey players still have respect for the game. That's something.

** update 2 **

Swift, the No. 2 pick in the 2000 draft, spent the last five season with the Grizzlies, first in Vancouver and then in Memphis. The 6-foot-10 player averaged more than 10 points and four rebounds last season.

That's why I can't watch basketball anymore. He's not at home in his backyad, he's at a public event, representing his team, and that's how he dresses.

Not to mention that I thought 10 points and 4 rebounds meant you were a shitty player. Is that the standard in basketball today?

For the sake of comparison, NHL player Jerome Iginla.. who happens to be one of the best players in the league.



Slightly different than the basketball player, don't you think? Not surpring though. Consider this is Iginla's father attending a hockey game.