Quote of the Day

"Let me start by telling you this, (pointing at the committee chairman with his index finger) I have never used steroids, period."

-Rafael Palmeiro (Whatever, liar.)

"I'm not here to discuss the past. I'm here to be positive about this subject. Asking me or any other player to answer questions about who took steroids in front of television cameras will not solve the problem. . . . My lawyers have advised me that I cannot answer these questions without jeopardizing my friends, my family and myself. I intend to follow their advice."

-Mark McGwire (virtually killing any chance to be enshrined in Cooperstown)

"Everything I have heard about steroids and human growth hormones is that they are very bad for you."

-Sammy Sosa (suddenly forgetting how to speak English)

On This Date in Baseball: March 17

1886 - The Sporting News, the weekly that will become "The Baseball Paper of the World," publishes its first issue.

1936 -Much-heralded rookie Joe DiMaggio makes his debut with the New York Yankees, collecting four hits including a triple. The day is marred when the St. Louis Cardinals win 8 - 7.

1966 - Pitchers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale play hardball when negotiating with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The duo signs movie contracts showing they are serious about retiring from baseball if their salary demands are not met.
2005 - During more than 11 hours of the Committee on Government Reform hearing concerning major league player use of steroids, Mark McGwire refuses to talk about the past and does not deny taking performance enhancing drugs. Other players testifying included Curt Schilling, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, and former big leaguer Jose Canseco, whose recent book prompted the congressional hearing. Palmeiro is later found guilty of steroid usage.