Orioles' drugs timeline

Sun Reporter

June 29, 2006

Feb. 14, 2005 - In a book, retired slugger Jose Canseco says he set up the Orioles' Rafael Palmeiro with a steroid supply when they played for Texas Rangers in the early 1990s. Canseco says he suspects the Orioles' Sammy Sosa is a steroid user.

March 10, 2005 - Sosa and Palmeiro are among six players subpoenaed by the House Government Reform committee to testify at hearing on steroid use. Palmeiro angers committee by wavering about attending, saying the hearing date falls on his wife's birthday.

March 17, 2005 - Palmeiro memorably wags a finger and says: "I have never used steroids. Period." He agrees to join an advisory panel whose stated goal is "to address the growing problem of steroid abuse by youth." Sosa says he has "never taken performance-enhancing drugs."

Aug. 1, 2005 - Palmeiro is suspended 10 games for a failed drug test that he calls "an accident."

Aug. 4, 2005 - The House committee says it is investigating whether Palmeiro committed perjury in testifying he never used steroids.

Sept. 22, 2005 - The Sun reports that Palmeiro privately suggested to a baseball panel that his positive test may have resulted from a tainted B-12 shot he got from a teammate who turns out to be Miguel Tejada.

Nov. 11, 2005 - The House committee releases a report undermining Palmeiro's contention that his positive steroids test was accidental and provides an alarming glimpse at life inside the team's clubhouse, which one lawmaker calls "a mess." But the committee says there is no evidence Palmeiro perjured himself.

June 6, 2006 - Federal agents raid the Arizona home of former Orioles reliever Jason Grimsley, who tells investigators he purchased human growth hormone numerous times and admits he paid for a double shipment while with the Orioles, according to an affidavit. He says other players used illegal substances.

June 18, 2006 - Former Orioles first baseman David Segui tells ESPN he is one of the players named in Grimsley's affidavit and that he used human growth hormone obtained through a doctor's prescription.