5 Worst Apologies in Baseball History

From steroid allegations to illegal gambling, Major League Baseball has seen its share of scandals and non-contrite apologies.

The recent situation swirling around Ozzie Guillen and the Miami Marlins organization is just one of many coarse settings in MLB history.

While some seem remorseful for their wrongdoings, others do not.

With that being said, here are five of the worst apologies in MLB history: 

Rafael Palmeiro

In March 2005, Rafael Palmeiro did the famous Dikembe Mutombo finger waive before Congress, adamantly stating, "I have never used steroids. Period."

In a statement prepared months after appearing before Congress, Palmeiro said,

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"Everything I have been working for all my life—to play the game that I love with dignity and earn the respect and admiration of my colleagues and fans—has been changed by my suspension. For this, I alone take full responsibility. I have never intentionally taken steroids. But I must also acknowledge that stanozolol, a banned substance, was found in my system in May." 

"

He may have never taken steroids, but he did take a substance banned by the MLB (to which he probably knew was banned), which resulted in his suspension.

Palmeiro would go on to say,

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"Nobody is more frustrated and disappointed in me than I am...All my accomplishments are now tainted. I deeply regret the pain I have caused my family, my teammates, my fans and the game of baseball. I am sorry for the distraction that I have caused the Orioles clubhouse and the League. I remain opposed to to the use of steroids by athletes."

"

Again, he may be opposed to the use of steroids by athletes, but apparently banned substances aren't off limits.

His constant apologies and sorrow practically serve as an admission. 

Pete Rose

Speaking to an audience at a Hollywood Casino in September 2010, Pete Rose issued the apology that many thought should have came 20-plus years earlier. 

"I disrespected the game of baseball. When you do that, you disrespect your teammates, the game and your family."

Not only did he disrespect teammates, the game and his family, but he apologized in a Casino! The very same vice that had him banned from baseball.

Now that's classy.

Continuing, Rose said, 

"I didn't know what that meant. It took me years and years [to come to grips with it]. ... I'm a hard-headed guy. ... But I'm a lot better guy standing here tonight."

A hard-headed guy indeed. Had that apology came in 1989—when he was officially banned for betting on the game of baseball—fans and critics alike may have a different opinion of the three-time World Series champion.

Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez's public admission of using a banned substance may be the all-time worst apology in MLB history.

In the video, A-Rod says, "In the year 2001, 2002 2003, I experimented with a banned substance that eventually triggered a positive test," thus admitting his steroid use.

Kudos to that, Alex.

But was the script necessary?

By reading off of a crumbled up piece of paper and barely looking up at the audience, it was hard for most to accept Rodriguez's apology, because, well, he just didn't seem sorry for what he had done.

A-Rod haters already considered him a conceited prima donna, and his line that "baseball is a lot bigger than Alex Rodriguez" just further confirmed that.

Arguably one of the best parts of the press conference—around the 4:30 mark—is when A-Rod addresses his teammates.

What followed was a 39-second pause—where Rodriguez took a sip of water and looked like he was about to finally shed a tear and issue a real apology—only to say two simple words: "thank you," which was accompanied by an assuring head nod.

I'm sure Derek Jeter saw right through that one. 

Bobby Valentine

It's one thing for Bobby Valentine to call out Derek Jeter; it's another thing for him to call out one of his own players.

Speaking about a struggling Kevin Youkilis, Valentine said,

"I don't think he's as physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past for some reason."

Following the comments, the new manager faced backlash from every angle, including leader Dustin Pedroia, who said,

"I really don't know what Bobby is trying to do. That's not the way we go about our stuff around here. He'll figure that out. The whole team is behind Youk. We have each other's backs here."

After receiving further flack from Adrian Gonzalez and Youkilis' agent Joe Bick, Valentine attempted to explain his comments.

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"I don't know if he accepted my apology. It was sincere. The last thing in the world I would want him to think is that this was anything but an answer to a question that seemed like the question was jabbing at him. I was just trying to smooth it over. I guess I didn't."

"

Though it seems he's trying to improve the situation, Valentine still never officially apologized for the comments that were made.

Trying to clarify his statement further, Valentine said,

"I think the question was 'It's not Youk-like the way he's playing.' I think that was the question I answered. I should have answered that his swing is not where he wants it to be, his swing is frustrating, it affects the emotion."

As if the Red Sox didn't have enough problems entering the 2012 season. Now they have one more.

Ozzie Guillen

The always controversial and contentious Ozzie Guillen did it again.

Guillen made comments supporting Fidel Castro, saying,

"Fidel Castro. He's a bull—dictator and everybody's against him, and he still survives, has power. Still has a country behind him. Everywhere he goes they roll out the red carpet. I don't admire his philosophy. I admire him."

After the comments hit the media stream and Guillen saw the backlash from his pro-Castro standpoint, he decided to address the issue, calling for a press conference in Miami.

"I don't want to make a statement, because I think when you make a statement it's a bunch of crap. I want people to look in my eyes, look in my face and see what's going on, tell them what the deal was."

It was nice to see Guillen take responsibility for his actions. Until the press conference aired.

Guillen apologized to the club and his team, but like every other controversial comment he's ever made, Guillen just didn't seem apologetic.

He first blames the Spanish interpreter and then talks about how the suspension was the decision of the management and that it's a shame because he had the Marlins playing good baseball—if you consider a 4-6 record good baseball.

I don't think many were surprised by Guillen's comments given his closet full of sound bites, nor were they surprised by his unapologetic press conference.

Back in February, I wrote an article highlighting the reasons why Miami would regret hiring Ozzie as its manager. It looks like I was right.

Follow Pete Schauer on Twitter @Pete_Schauer