“…I would not be so fast to say that Palmeiro will always be kept out of the Hall of Fame.”

I’m afraid I must respectfully & regretfully disagree with your opinion that Palmeiro might one day be HOF inducted. And please, consider my inclusion of the word “regretful”, because I think he belongs in it. Hands-down first ballot too.

Sadly, even before the congressional hearing and the now infamous finger wagging denial of steroid use, there was article after article written over the years that questioned Palmeiro’s HOF qualifications. The writers seemed biased and stacked against him, even as his career numbers grew to be incredible and nearing top-10 all-time status, in numerous statistical categories.

Writers would claim “in Texas, he is/was overshadowed by Pudge, Juan Gonzolez (a joke), Nolan Ryan”, etc, “is too quiet in the clubhouse therefore not a great “let’s get-em fired-up” team leader.” In Baltimore it was, “overshadowed by Cal Ripkin, Jr.”, and the same “too quiet a team leader”, he’s never been “T-H-E GUY” thing. Heck, there were even ESPN talk show short-segments on this topic of “is Palmeiro HOF worthy” garbage.

I witnessed these articles and stories coming year-after-year, even as Palmeiro’s career stats began to pile-up to incredible heights, and he had a LOT left in the tank. The writer’s almost seemed to dread that Palmeriro’s number COULDN’T be ignored, and NEVER mentioned he was a clean-cut, low-key, stay-out-of–trouble, lead-by-quiet-example, play-everyday, non-brash, humble professional in every-aspect player.

Then came the positive steroid test results. No matter that Palmeiro had NEVER been in, or given baseball any trouble by making outlandish comments or belittling other players. Benefit of the doubt was never given this quiet professional, who never showed nothing but being consistently great, year-after-year, for so long.

He belongs in, and I think this man has been rail-roaded by the media, and worse, black-balled by his fellow players via their union for blowing the whistle on the TRUTH of Miguel Tejada, of whom later down the road, PROVED Palmeiro’s claims to be 100% accurate.

Also, Craig, I would not be so fast to say that Palmeiro will always be kept out of the Hall of Fame. Look how long it took Bid McPhee to be inducted.