Pettitte Admits To Using HGH
Posted: Saturday, December 15, 2007
by Abigail Richards
Andy Pettitte released a statement through his lawyer admitting to using HGH. This comes days after the Mitchell Report named him and long-time friend Roger Clemens as players who received injections from former strength and conditioning coach Brian McNamee.
Pettitte said he never did steroids on only used HGH twice to help him heal faster when he was out with an injury in 2002.
Pettitte contended that HGH was not banned by Major League Baseball at that time. "In 2002 I was injured. I had heard that human growth hormone could promote faster healing for my elbow," Pettitte said in the statement released to The Associated Press by agent Randy Hendricks.
"I felt an obligation to get back to my team as soon as possible. For this reason, and only this reason, for two days I tried human growth hormone. Though it was not against baseball rules, I was not comfortable with what I was doing, so I stopped.
"This is it - two days out of my life; two days out of my entire career, when I was injured and on the disabled list," he said. "I wasn't looking for an edge. I was looking to heal."
Roger Clemens has already released a statement denying any wrongdoing and claiming the Mitchell Report was false in its accusations. His lawyer disagreed with the use of FBI coercion on McNamee during a private investigation.
I guess my question is how come the Clemens part of the testimony is false and Pettitte part was true? It sounds like Pettitte, who can be disciplined by Major League Baseball since he is an active player is trying to garner favor from Commissioner Selig by coming forward and admitting his mistake while showing some remorse.
In the process, I think he just sold out his best friend. How can the same testimony against two different guys be true for one and not for the other? Pettitte has a $16 million dollar, one-year contract that he has to protect. Clemens is retired and past discipline by Major League Baseball.
At this point, I think it would be better for Clemens to come forward and show some remorse as well as be honest about the extent of using. We know Pettitte used it to heal quicker to help his team.
Why did Clemens use it? Was he merely using to have stamina to make it through the entire season? Or was it a reason that he wanted it all? Is he sorry that he did it? Or is he sorry that he got caught? What do you think?
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Yes I think Clemens did use. We may or may not ever know. But I am so glad Pettite admitted to his wrongdoing. I have heard Andy's Christian testimony and he has co-written a book about being a man of integrity. I really look up to Andy and admire him!! I do not know if Roger is a man of God but I do know Andy is. He stated his priorities are #1. God, #2. Wife/Kids, #3. Career. Andy will be taken care of because his priorities are right. Steroid use is wrong but it goes on in ALL sports. Watch out football/basketball/etc. - you are next. I think I will write an article on this as well.Thanks for the comment! Football and basketball already have some stricter testing in place for steroids, baseball was just behind-hence the reason for the report. I agree that Pettitte did the right thing with his admittance. I hope for the best for him and his family! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I will look forward to your article!
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