« Palmeiro violates MLB drug policy »

Orioles' first baseman Rafael Palmeiro was suspended 10 games under MLB's new drug policy, one which includes the use of steroids.

It is unclear whether Palmeiro used steroids or another banned substance.

Earlier this year Palmeiro reached his 3,000 career hit, making him the fourth player in MLB history with 3,000 hits and 500 home runs.

Earlier this year, Palmeiro was one of a few current and former baseball players subpoenaed by a congressional committee regarding steroid use in baseball. Palmeiro was subpoenaed because he was named in former teammate Jose Canseco's tell-all book "Juiced" as being a steroid user.

Palmeiro, in front of Congress, vehemently denied ever using steroids:

"I have never used steroids. Period. I don't know how to say it any more clearly than that. Never."

Monday Palmeiro apologized for his mistake, but reiterated that he never "intentionally" used steroids.

This suspension is also another setback for the Orioles in their race for the postseason. They have collapsed to fourth place after holding a sizable lead in the AL East over the Yankees and Red Sox earlier this year.

But beyond the scope of division races, Palmeiro's shocking suspension re-opens the wound of debating steroid and illegal substance use in major league baseball, which unfortunately detracts from the exciting races currently present in both leagues.