Ripken 'in a state of denial' over Palmeiro's test

Updated: August 10, 2005, 6:53 PM ET

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Associated Press

HUNT VALLEY, Md. -- Calling steroid use "cheating" and a "black cloud" hanging over Major League Baseball, former Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken said he was dismayed Rafael Palmeiro tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance and was suspended.

Speaking Tuesday at a media event for next month's Constellation Energy Classic, the Champions Tour golf event for which he is honorary chairman, Ripken said he was "shocked, surprised, just like everyone else. I hope there's a reason or an explanation."

Ripken, who played with Palmeiro from 1994 to 1998, said he was in the Bahamas when he learned his former teammate -- only the fourth player in major-league history with 3,000 hits and 500 home runs -- received a 10-day suspension after testing positive for steroids.

"I don't want to think it's true. I'm in a state of denial," Ripken said.

Ripken, who will become eligible to be voted into the Hall of Fame in 2007, said he understands why fans are upset and why they assume everyone who puts up big numbers is on steroids.

"That's the result of the black cloud on baseball," Ripken said. "Until it's rid of steroids, people are naturally going to think that."

He retired from the Baltimore Orioles in 2001 after a 20-year career that included a record 2,632 consecutive games. Nowadays, Ripken devotes much of his time to Ripken Baseball Inc., which promotes the sport and teaches young players.

While worrying that young people might opt to emulate star athletes and use steroids, Ripken said recent events present a good opportunity to talk to kids and answer questions about steroid use.

He said he mostly relied on a protein-rich diet that featured chicken and PowerBars during his playing days, but there was a time he cheated. As a youth, he said, he was so consumed by winning, even at card games, he would sneakily deal himself extra cards. But he said he learned from that.

"Ultimately, at the end of the day, you couldn't say you were better than the other person because you knew you had a secret," he said. "You knew you had cheated."