It might be hard to believe, given the Orioles’ ongoing collapse, but their name and uniform do still stand for something.
You don’t play 52 seasons in the major leagues without becoming an enduring symbol of professionalism, win or lose.
The people running the Orioles should think about that as they contemplate Rafael Palmeiro’s scheduled return next week.
Are they really still going to have a day honoring Palmeiro at Camden Yards on Aug. 14, just a few days after he returns from the most high-profile steroid suspension in baseball history?
Say it ain’t so. That might be the worst idea ever.
Sending out a certified juicer to soak up forced applause in a rote ceremony in front of dubious fans would disgrace the uniform.
It would insult the careers of Brooks and Frank Robinson, Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken and every other player who has accomplished big things while playing for the Orioles–by the rules.
The Orioles can do better than that, and they know it.
They should cancel the day immediately, and while they’re at it, tell Palmeiro just to clean out his locker. Thanks for the memories.
To let Palmeiro come back and play now, and force everyone to pretend nothing happened, would be a low point in franchise history.
Give me 0-21 any day. At least that was on the level. Palmeiro isn’t.
Are the Orioles upset about his shaky explanation? Do they care about their players’ credibility and integrity?
This is a guy the Orioles are going to honor? What’s next, a bottle-head doll?
Haven’t they enabled this charade long enough?
It’s a testament to the pathetic weakness of the steroid policy that the Orioles have to deal with this at all. Palmeiro, 40, wasn’t coming back in 2006, anyway; he could be gone forever and out of the Orioles’ hair if the policy had any teeth.
Instead, Palmeiro is out for 10 days and then back in their laps.
What a joke.
