Numbers Never Die

I can sympathize with the position of Frank Robinson and Curt Schilling when it comes to Rafael Palmeiro's career numbers. Nobody has quite explained how to account for said statistics, however, if they were removed from the record. Better yet why are they not complaining about other cheaters. As ESPN's Jayson Stark pointed out, there is not exactly a run to throw Gaylord Perry or Whitey Ford out of the Hall of Fame. Nor is there a cry to invalidate the 1961 American League Batting title Norm Cash won with a corked bat. Is George Brett not Hall-of-Fame worthy after the Pine Tar Incident? And, as Jim Caple asks, what about football?

The point is that while there is righteous indignation about the Steroid Era's statistics, the numbers must remain. Baseball is consistent in recognizing numbers, even if the numbers were achieved in a nefarious manner. Did Palmeiro cheat? Absolutely. But he gets to keep his money, the standings are not altered, and the numbers will never die.