"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"

In this quote, Rafael Palmeiro defends the integrity and significance of the period of baseball in which he played, resolving criticism that this period was in some way "tainted". The use of the word "tainted" likely describes the debates surrounding performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in baseball throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, a time when many players, including Palmeiro, were either implicated or found guilty of using such compounds. These admissions and allegations cast doubts over the authenticity of players' achievements throughout that period.

Nevertheless, Palmeiro counters this story by stressing the existence of "many great players" from the last 20 years, suggesting that the abundance of skill, ability, and competitors during this time must not be overshadowed by the controversy of PED usage. By highlighting the terrific players, he asserts that their abilities and contributions to the sport are real and notable in their own right.

Palmeiro's forecast that this will "be the best era in the history of the game" reflects his belief that the age's level of competition, development, and talent surpasses that of previous generations. This strong assertion shows a deep personal conviction in the credibility and worth of his contemporaries' accomplishments, recommending that he feels the era should have recognition and gratitude for its quality of play, instead of derision for its expected flaws.

In essence, Palmeiro is challenging the narrative that the so-called "Steroid Era" was simply the product of artificial enhancement, rather promoting the view that it represented a peak of athletic achievement in baseball. His words implore fans, historians, and critics to concentrate on the many legitimate achievements of its players, declaring their rightful location in the sport's history.