Five months after defiantly telling Congress that he never used steroids, Baltimore Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro received a 10-day suspension from Major League Baseball on Monday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
The turn of events jeopardizes Palmeiro's fast track to the Hall of Fame, which seemed assured after he became the fourth player in major league history to collect 3,000 hits and 500 home runs.
The players' association challenged the positive test in secret proceedings, and the penalty was held in abeyance until arbitrator Shyam Das decided Monday not to overturn it, the Associated Press reports.
While Major League Baseball officials have declined to identify the substance they say Palmeiro used, the 40-year-old player himself is now saying he ingested a banned substance by accident.
"When I testified in front of Congress, I know that I was testifying under oath and I told the truth," Palmeiro told reporters during a conference call. "Today I am telling the truth again that I did not do this intentionally or knowingly."
Palmeiro – who on March 17 declared before a congressional committee, "I have never used steroids. Period." – said Monday: "I hope that people look at my whole career and appreciate that I've given everything that I've got. I respect the Hall of Fame, and if they think that I'm worthy enough, I would be very honored. And if they don't, I gave it all that I had to this game."
Minus Palmeiro on Monday, the Orioles lost to the White Sox 6-3, Baltimore's 12th defeat in 13 games.
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