Rafael Palmeiro
Rafael Palmeiro
Rafael Palmeiro Corralesis a retired Cuban American Major League Baseball first baseman and left fielder. Palmeiro was an All-American at Mississippi State University before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1985. He played for the Cubs, Texas Rangers, and the Baltimore Orioles. He was named to the MLB All-Star Team four times, and won the Gold Glove three times. He is a member of the 500 home run club and the 3,000 hit club and is one of only...
NationalityCuban
ProfessionAthlete
Date of Birth24 September 1964
CountryCuba
Since I was informed last May that I tested positive for steroids, I have fully cooperated with Major League Baseball and Congress in their respective inquiries into this matter, ... I have done so because I have nothing to hide.
At this rate, I'm going to play first base on Tuesday. I can't wait around anymore. When I go back out there, I want to be able to play first.
I wish that they had the freedoms like the Japanese and the Koreans and the Mexicans and everybody else that has that freedom to come over here and play the game, because I know Cuba has a very strong baseball history.
Baseball gets better for whatever reason.
I love baseball, and the door remains open.
My dad was the force behind me early on. He was just infatuated with baseball. He was the one that basically taught me how to play the game. He gave a lot of his time working out with me, practicing and taking me to a lot of different games. It was hard work between both of us.
I've never been in a situation where I'm getting booed so badly and I just don't really know how to handle it,
I've never been in a position where I've been booed so badly, and I didn't know what to do,
I've always known to come to the ballpark and play and be in the lineup. I've never missed time because of injuries. I've had days off, where I knew coming in that I wasn't going to play, but I've never sat out 10 days in a row during the season. That was totally new to me. To play a whole career and not know what that's like, that's unusual. Now I'm dealing with it as best I can.
At the time, I thought that was the best I could do. Maybe it wasn't the right thing to do but I did what I had to do at the time.
I don't, but if he'd swing the bat, he would be. It's not different than anyone else.
I wouldn't think so. I mean, that's why I got it from him. I didn't suspect that he would be on anything.
I wish I could have turned in the vial for testing. But when I found out, it was long gone and I couldn't come up with it. If something happened that I'm not aware of, an intentional act by someone else, I don't know. I can't rule out anything.
I'd like to come back and play before the year's over. But it's not in my hands.