You're probably right about those stats being tainted, but what if they weren't. Palmeiro played about 20 years and was only named to 4 All-Star games. He was never considered a dominant player. I don't know any people who had to watch a game because he was playing (I certainly didn't). I don't know any people who took closer notice of a game because he was at bat (I certainly didn't).
My point is he should have been questionable even before the steroids, but baseball is so stat driven we often lose site of the player behind the numbers. Not many people think Bernie Williams is a Hall of Fame player (I don't), but I think he was a better player than Palmeiro was, but his "success" is now measured by his numbers, not who you look to when you need the big hit. (Disclaimer: Not a Yankee Fan, but Not a Yankee Hater)