Rafael Palmeiro, 53, contemplating comback

Rafael Palmeiro believes he has more to offer the game of baseball, and more to prove as well.

The 53-year-old Palmeiro, who last played in 2005, told The Athletic that he is thinking about making a comeback.

"There's no doubt in my mind I can do it," says Palmeiro, who ended his career as one of four players to reach both 500 home runs and 3,000 hits. "I've taken care of myself really well. I've been working out for years. Everything feels better than when I played."

Palmeiro was a four-time All-Star first baseman during his 20-year career with the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. He batted .288 with 569 homers, 1,835 RBIs in his career.

His career ended in 2005, after he was suspended 10 games for testing positive for steroids. He was the first major league baseball player ever suspended for steroids.

Months prior to the suspension, Palmeiro had testified at a Congressional hearing about steroids in baseball.

"Let me start by telling you this: I have never used steroids, period," he said at the time. "I don't know how to say it any more clearly than that. Never."

Palmeiro has maintained that he has never used steroids.

"Maybe 12 years later, if I can come back and prove I don't need anything as an older player with an older body, then people might think, 'OK, maybe he didn't do anything intentionally,'" Palmeiro said.