Palmeiro remains resolute

By wire services
Published March 19, 2005

After what he called a "surreal" day testifying before a congressional committee, Rafael Palmeiro returned to spring training in Fort Lauderdale on Friday insisting that his finger-pointing denial of steroid use came from the heart and that he is willing to forgive Jose Canseco.

"If it turns out to be a positive thing that he wrote this stupid book, and he turns himself around and if he can be a positive role model, I'll forgive him," said Palmeiro, who played with Canseco on the Rangers from 1992-93.

Palmeiro was among the half-dozen current and former players who appeared before the House Committee on Government Reform, which is examining steroid use in baseball. Canseco's book accused the Orioles star of using steroids.

Palmeiro was emphatic in his denial of steroid use in his opening statement to the committee. He pointed his index finger at the panel and said the gesture was spontaneous.

"I was just speaking from the heart, man," he said. "I just wanted to make sure I got my point across and that I was sincere about it. I didn't plan on doing that. I was upset."

Palmeiro, who tried to avoid testifying until issued a subpoena, said he appreciated the chance to speak publicly.

"They brought me in basically to give me the chance to clear my name and to speak my heart. ... I'm very happy that I went," Palmeiro said after arriving for the Orioles' spring game against Minnesota.

Meanwhile, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said he was surprised by Mark McGwire's repeated refusals to deny using steroids during his testimony.

McGwire has denied using illegal performance-enhancing drugs but refused to do so under oath Thursday, citing advice from his lawyer.

"In my opinion, being under oath wouldn't have changed what he said," La Russa said. "I think he was overcoached. Mostly, I think it was a missed opportunity to explain that if you use substances like creatine and over-the-counter stuff that's not illegal, you can get the benefits of a hard-core weight training program. And that was never discussed. You can get bigger and stronger doing this legally, and I didn't hear that."

La Russa, who managed McGwire on the Athletics and the Cardinals, said he believes McGwire's denials.

"He's made a statement where he's denied it, and I thought it was a great time to make that same statement," La Russa said. "I think he was kind of coached into saying this one thing, "I'm here about the future, not about the past.' I was surprised he didn't repeat what he said earlier. I think it would have helped his cause."

DECISION OVERTURNED: The Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned a decision that threw out a $94-million award to the families of three ironworkers killed when a crane collapsed during the construction of Milwaukee's Miller Park.

A state appeals court voted 2-1 on Sept. 30 that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of America did not intentionally cause the three deaths, nor was its conduct certain to cause injury.

The Supreme Court ruled 5-1 that the appeals court decision was incorrect and established that state law only requires a plaintiff to prove the defendant acted maliciously or with intentional disregard to the rights of the plaintiff.

BAT MAKER SUED: The widow of Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle has sued a Cooperstown, N.Y., bat maker for alleged trademark violations over the sale of a limited edition bat bearing his image and name. In the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in San Diego, Merlyn Louise Mantle claims the Where It All Began Bat Co. did not have permission to use the Mantle name and likeness.

ANGELS: Third baseman Dallas McPherson, recovering from a protruding disc in his lower back, hit off a tee and still has an outside chance of being in the opening day lineup.

ASTROS: Right-hander Roger Clemens strained his right hamstring and left the game against the Tigers after 11/3 innings. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner is day to day.

BRAVES: Right-hander Tim Hudson, who had back spasms on his right side Tuesday, said he was encouraged after throwing on the side.

CARDINALS: Outfielder Reggie Sanders was recovering after an appendectomy, and the team doesn't know when he'll return to the lineup.

PADRES: Ace right-hander Jake Peavy left the game against the Rangers in the fifth with a strained groin. He is day to day and scheduled to be re-evaluated today.

[Last modified March 19, 2005, 01:01:18]