Palmeiro and steroids

Unless you were living under a rock that blocks out all baseball news, you know that Rafael Palmeiro has tested positive for a banned substance. Everyone is weighing in on this, so I think I will.

"When I testified in front of Congress, I know that I was testifying under oath and I told the truth," he said during a telephone conference call Monday. "Today I am telling the truth again that I did not do this intentionally or knowingly."

Accusing people of having taken steroids is a worthless conversation. Everyone has their ideas of who they think did and didn't but until now we haven't had any proof.

What's even more ridiculous about the steroid witch hunt is how easily some people have chosen to assume that people DIDN'T take steroids. Because Rafael Palmeiro pointed his finger and used a stern tone with Congress, he didn't take steroids. But because Mark McGwire avoided the question, and Sammy Sosa used a translator, they did. (By the way-what the hell was Curt Schilling doing at that hearing? I wish he'd shut up once in a while). Is it possible that Palmeiro is just a convincing liar? Haven't we all come across people like that in our lifetimes. Your college roomates who lied about eating your pizza? Your child who lied about where he was last night?

So now Palmeiro tests positive and says he never knowingly took a banned substance. If you are an athlete the caliber of Palmeiro, you know what you're taking. If you don't know, ask the trainer, the coach, someone on your team. If you truly care about making sure you are not taking banned substance, it is very easy to find out. I swam in college and we were able to find out if certain energy and protein drinks had banned substances. This is Major League Baseball, if you don't know what you're taking, it's your own fault if you get caught.

I don't believe Rafael Palmeiro for one second. He cheated. He got caught. He deserves what he's about to go through.