Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
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Palmeiro said he barely did any baseball-related activities during his suspension, is unsure when he will play and uncertain how he will be received by the fans in Baltimore.
Palmeiro received a standing ovation at Camden Yards on July 25, his first day back home after becoming the fourth player in major league history to get 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. There was supposed to be ceremony on his behalf of the Orioles’ first baseman this Sunday, but the team canceled it at Palmeiro’s request.
“I’m sure in the next couple of days I will get back out there on the field,” he said. “As far as the fans, you know these are great fans. I’ve always enjoyed playing here. These are the best fans in the game and I hope they can understand my situation right now. I’ll accept how they react.”
While the Orioles took batting practice, Palmeiro signed autographs for fans behind the Baltimore dugout — something he does not usually do. A young girl carried a large orange sign that read, “Welcome Back Raffy.”
Not all the fans were so forgiving.
Four fans walked into the stadium together wearing orange jerseys with the words, “Hall of Shame” in black letters on front with image of a syringe underneath. Palmeiro’s No. 25 was on the back.
“I don’t feel good about the fact he hasn’t spoken out yet. I’d like to hear from him,” said Garrett Liskey of Washington, D.C. “I think because he’s a star and he did testify before Congress, he does need to speak to the fans and give his side of the story — the sooner the better.”
Liskey’s friend, Michael Riordan, was adamant in his displeasure of Palmeiro’s decision to avoid the issue.
“It’s going to be resounding boos, and I’ll be one of the loudest booers in the place,” he said. “It’s almost like he wants to just slip back on the field and kind of act like nothing happened. It just really smells bad.”
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Orioles interim manager Sam Perlozzo figured some fans would welcome back Palmeiro without compromise, and that others would express anger over his failed drug test.
“He’s going to get mixed reviews, there’s no question,” said Perlozzo, who replaced fired manager Lee Mazzilli four days after Palmeiro’s suspension began. “There’s going to be a bunch of boos and we’re hoping for a bunch of cheers. And that’s going to happen everywhere. He’s going to have to get through it, and so are we.”
When Palmeiro arrived at the Baltimore clubhouse Thursday, Perlozzo asked him if he wished to address the team.
“He said no, he’d rather go around individually,” Perlozzo said. “Emotionally, he’s been through a lot. He thought it would be better if he did that. He said he would tell everyone he was sorry about the distraction.”
Still, he was delighted to be back in uniform again.
“I’ve been playing baseball now for 20 years and this is all that I have done. This is all I know,” Palmeiro said. “It was tough being away. But it was good to see my teammates. They are happy that I am back. And they’re anxious for me to get back on the field.”
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
DeMarco: Plug in a well-heeled ownership group and negotiate one of those mega-bucks TV deals that are going around, and the Dodgers could become the west coast version of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.
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Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
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Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
