Palmeiro Again Denies Taking Performance Enhancing Drugs

July 4, 2009 2:08 p.m. EST

Lubbock, TX (AHN) - Rafael Palmeiro, in an interview at Friday's 2009 College Baseball Hall of Fame induction, once again denied taking performance enhancing drugs.

It was one of Palmeiro's first public appearances since being linked to the drug scandal in Major League Baseball.

In a interview with ESPN, the 44-year-old who has not played since 2005 maintained his innocence in knowingly taking banned steroids.

He added the alleged vitamin B12 shot he took was tainted, resulting in a 10-day suspension.

Palmiero was honored at the induction for his collegiate baseball achievements Friday. He was part of the vaunted hitting tandem with college Hall of Famer Will Clark at Mississippi State

An all-American at Mississippi State University before embarking on a stellar pro career, Palmeiro was one of 10 inductees comprising the fourth class of the Lubbock-based Hall.

In the annals of the SEC, Palmiero has the distinction of being the first triple crown winner.

He also owns the school record for career home runs (67) and ranks second in RBIs (239).

Palmeiro, who broke into the Majors after being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1985, reached a milestone on July, 2005 when he registered his 3,000th career hit.

That feat enabled him to join the exclusive club of players with 3,000 hits and 500 home runs.

Among those in the special list include Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray.

In August of that same year, Palmeiro was suspended by the League for failing a steroids test.