Rafael Palmeiro
From BR Bullpen
Rafael Palmeiro Corrales
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 0", Weight 188 lb.
- School Mississippi State University
- Debut September 8, 1986
- Final Game August 30, 2005
- Born September 24, 1964 in Havana, Cuba
[edit] Biographical Information
Rafael Palmeiro broke in with the Chicago Cubs at the age of 21 in 1986, at a time when the best-known players on the team were Ryne Sandberg, Ron Cey and Rick Sutcliffe. In 1988, his third year with the Cubs, he hit .307, which was good enough to finish second in the league in batting average. He then was traded to the Texas Rangers, while the Cubs went on to win the division in 1989 (Mitch Williams, the key player acquired by the Cubs in that trade, went on to save 36 games for the Cubs). Some Chicago sports radio on air personalities have hinted and insinuated at some sort of relationship between Palmeiro and the wife of Ryne Sandberg when Palmeiro was with the Cubs, but there is no evidence to back up these rumors. They credit these rumors as the reason that Palmeiro was traded.
Palmeiro was not much of a home run hitter in his first five years in the majors, but hit over 20 home runs for the first time in his sixth year at age 26. Jose Canseco was acquired by Texas late in the 1992 season, and the next year Palmeiro hit over 30 home runs for the first time (in his eighth season in the majors). Years later, Canseco published a book accusing Palmeiro of using steroids, an accusation which Palmeiro denied.
Palmeiro moved to Baltimore for five seasons, hitting at least 38 home runs in each of the last four of those seasons. Thereafter, he returned to Texas, where he continued to hit at least 38 home runs for each of five seasons. Returning to Baltimore a second time in 2004 at the age of 39 for two more seasons, his power dropped off. Asked to testify before Congress regarding the use of steroids by certain major league players, Palmeiro roundly denied that he had ever used steroids. The photo op resulting from his appearance was widely broadcast.
Yet, he was suspended 10 days for use of performance enhancing substances on August 1, 2005, shortly after collecting his 3,000th hit. Some have said that the probability of Palmeiro being inducted into the Hall of Fame was reduced by the suspension. Shortly after returning from suspension, he was hitless in 5 consecutive games and booed loudly. The Orioles told Palmeiro to go home shortly after the start of September and he did not play for the remainder of the season. He referred to a vitamin shot suggested by Miguel Tejada as a potential source of the positive test. As of the end of 2005, his career is in limbo.
- Became only the 4th player in Major League Baseball history to collect over 500 home runs and 3,000 hits in his career in July of 2005.
- At-bat music is "California Love" by Tupac Shakur.
- Appeared in Viagra commercials.
He is a cousin of Orlando Palmeiro.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 4-time All-Star (1988, 1991, 1998 & 1999)
- 3-time AL Gold Glove Winner (1997/1B, 1998/1B & 1999/1B)
- 2-time AL Silver Slugger Award Winner (1998/1B & 1999/DH)
- AL Runs Scored Leader (1993)
- AL Hits Leader (1990)
- AL Singles Leader (1990)
- AL Doubles Leader (1991)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 14 (1991-2004)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 10 (1993 & 1995-2003)
- 40-Home Run Seasons: 4 (1998, 1999, 2001 & 2002)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 10 (1993 & 1995-2003)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 4 (1991, 1993, 1996 & 2000)
- 200 Hits Seasons: 1 (1991)
