Rafael Palmeiro doesn’t seem to have finished with baseball yet. The former First Baseman and 500-Homerun-Hitter said in an interview that he could well imagine a comeback – twelve years after his last game.
Palmeiro was an all-star four times and played for 20 years in the MLB for Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. He beat more than 500 homeruns and 3000 hits, which only four other players in the history of the MLB can show.
Nevertheless, he is accused of having taken drugs. His career ended in 2005 after a ten-game suspension for a positive steroid test. He was the first player ever to be banned for steroid doping.
A few months earlier, Palmeiro had testified before the US Congress:”Let me start by saying that I have never used steroids. Point. I don’t know how I can make it clearer. Never.” He has maintained this position to this day.
In an interview with The Athletic he said:”If I can come back 12 years later and prove that as an older player with an older body I don’t need anything to increase my performance, people might think that I didn’t take anything on purpose.”.
At the age of 53, he would be the oldest player in MLB’s history to play regularly. The previous record holder is Julio Franco, who was still active in 2007 at the age of 49.
“I want to prove to myself that I can still do it at a high level. And then I can stop feeling good,”explained Palmeiro.
At least one general manager did not want to completely reject the idea. Dan Duquette of the Orioles said:”It would be an interesting story. It’s like tying shoes – if you can beat, you can beat.”
Palmeiro’s son, Preston, is currently part of the O’s organization and plays at single-A level. The 22-year-old is also First Baseman and beat. 253 with 13 home runs and 77 RBI.
This article was published without prior view by the Major League Baseball.