MLB’s dirty secret

In the morning’s LA Times, columnist Bill Plaschke delves into a subject that, ever the Raffy story broke, has been festering at the forefront of my mind. Namely, MLB’s complacency in delaying the release of the positive test results and its celebration of Palmeiro despite the knowledge they had of his steroid use. I suggest you read the full article by following the above link, but I've included the beginning of the column herein to get you started:

In the stands were 39,044 people who thought they were paying good money to witness genuine history.

Baseball knew different.

On their feet were 39,044 people in a three-minute standing ovation for a player who had supposedly reached a milestone with character and class.

Baseball knew different.

Cameras flashed and fireworks exploded on that July night in Seattle in an apparently worthy embrace of Baltimore's Rafael Palmeiro as he doubled into the left-field corner for his 3,000th hit.

Baseball knew different.

But baseball wasn't telling.

While its fans were keeping tradition, baseball was keeping a secret, deceiving those who trusted it most, betraying those who loved it best.

Baseball knew Rafael Palmeiro was dirty for more than two months before Monday's 10-game steroid suspension.

Baseball knew he had tested positive for a drug so strong, it once put hair on the chins of East German women.

Baseball knew he was performing with a body containing a substance that was not only against the rules, but against the law.

Yet baseball said nothing as Palmeiro's record-chasing presence sold thousands of tickets, drew hundreds of thousands of TV viewers, and even induced a congratulatory call from President Bush.

Baseball said nothing until after the All-Star game, after the 3,000 hit, after the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

Palmeiro is a cheater.

But in hiding his crime, baseball may be the bigger cheat.

*Thanks to Colin Cowherd from EPSN Radio for highlighting this story and making my late arrival to work this morning worthwhile.