RAFAEL PALMEIRO

Yes, but I - you know, it's been such a long time, I'm sure that I've got cousins and uncles that I've never met before, you know, that I've left behind.

Baseball gets better for whatever reason.

I'm not going to say what was being used in the clubhouse; whatever happens in the clubhouse stays in the clubhouse. But it was not like it was in your face.

I'm very happy for the Contreras family. They're out. Now they've got a chance to experience life the way I did as a kid. You know, his kids are going to have a real chance in life now, and the same way that I had it.

There's a lot of history in Boston and a lot of history, obviously, in New York with all the championships.

To snap my fingers and let it go away. Even if it takes the 3,000th hit with it, just let it all go away.

The tragedy of all of this is that it happened to me and it shouldn't have happened. It ruined my life and my career. That's the tragedy of this.

Well, you know, I left Cuba as a kid when I was 6 years old back in 1971.

I hope that people learn from my mistake and I hope that the fans forgive me.

Three thousand, it's just a number. It's just a game.

I would love to go back and help rebuild that country and help - you know, kind of like what's going on with Iraq right now. You know, they've got a new government in place. They're trying to rebuild the country. I would love for that to happen in Cuba also.

With all the great products that are apparently out there that are undetectable, for me to take something like that... when people take things that now aren't even being tested for, does it make any sense?

I don't think anybody ever saw anybody taking anything.

I have never used steroids. Period.

When I testified in front of Congress, I know that I was testifying under oath and I told the truth.

I love baseball, and the door remains open.

I hope that people look at my whole career and appreciate that I've given everything that I've got.

I wish that they had the freedoms like the Japanese and the Koreans and the Mexicans and everybody else that has that freedom to come over here and play the game, because I know Cuba has a very strong baseball history.

I respect the Hall of Fame, and if they think that I'm worthy enough, I would be very honored. And if they don't, I gave it all that I had to this game.

The other deals with my life and my livelihood and my family and all that I stand for.

But as far as I'm concerned, I can still play defense.

My parents didn't agree with what was going on, you know, with the communists coming in, Fidel Castro. I didn't see the reason why I needed to go back there and be a part of that exhibition.

I said what I said before Congress because I meant every word of it.

They try to say this era was a tainted era. But so many great players played in the last 15 to 20 years. This is going to be the best era in the history of the game in my opinion.

I wish that they could have more freedoms to be able to come and play. I know that the only way that they can get out is by, you know, defecting to another country or whatever, or getting on a boat.