Rafael Palmeiro is Looking to Make a Comeback
Disgraced former slugger Rafael Palmeiro is looking to make his return to Major League Baseball, 13 years after playing his last game.
The last time we saw Rafael Palmeiro, he had become a pariah. Just months after his finger wagging testimony in front of Congress, Palmeiro had been suspended for PED usage. He had just reached the 3000 hit club, but his accomplishments had now been irrevocably tarnished. Palmiero failed to hit after his return from his suspension, and was released by the Baltimore Orioles, a pariah throughout the game.
The sting of his PED suspension continued on into his retirement. A lifetime .288/.371/.515 hitter with 3020 hits and 569 homers, he should have been a lock for the Hall of Fame. Instead, Palmeiro did not earn more than 12.6% of the vote, and fell off the ballot after four years. That “B-12” injection proved costly indeed.
Now, 13 years after his final appearance on the diamond, and four years after falling off the Hall of Fame ballot, the 53 year old Palmeiro wants to change the narrative. He is considering making a comeback to the game, trying to end his career on his own terms, and on a much more positive note.
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If such a return happens, it would be a shock. Although Palmeiro claims to be in good shape and feels his body is up to the rigors of the game. However, only six players in major league history played after turning 50 years old, and only two of those, Nick Altrock and Minnie Minoso, had more than one appearance.
Even ageless wonders like Julio Franco and Jamie Moyer were unable to reach that mythical 50 years of age as active players. And those that were able to returned as more of an honorary appearance than for their remaining skills. Franco, at 49 years old, was the oldest player to even be a somewhat regular in the lineup.
Yet, as outlandish as such a return would be, it has not been dismissed. Orioles general manager Dan Duquette said that it would be an “interesting story.” Palmeiro, meanwhile, wants validation, because he feels if he can make a comeback at this age, it would prove he did not need PEDs back in 2005.
Obviously, everyone wants to be able to go out on their own terms, which Palmeiro was unable to. And, no one wants to be a pariah. However, the reaction to Palmeiro’s suspension, especially after his testimony, had to be expected. His alibi did get a bit of credence in the following years when Miguel Tejeda, who Palmeiro claimed gave him the infamous B-12 shot, earned his own PED suspension, but it was far too late by then. Palmeiro was a walking punchline, someone whose testimony was a continual gag in places like the Jim Rome Show.
This return is the longest of long shots. While teams may not be dismissing Palmeiro outright, one has to imagine the interest would be tepid at best. Yet, even a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training would be a major surprise. Palmeiro may want to play, but what team would want to bring him in?
Rafael Palmeiro is looking to make a return to the majors. At 53 years old, and 13 years after his last game, that return would be quite the story.