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Pettite admits using HGH, will Roger Clemons come clean? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Da Guru
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Night Hawks
Footballguy
shadyridr
Footballguy
NEW YORK (AP) - Andy Pettitte used human growth hormone to recover from an elbow injury in 2002, the New York Yankees pitcher said two days after he was cited in the Mitchell Report.
Pettitte said he tried HGH on two occasions.
"If what I did was an error in judgment on my part, I apologize," Pettitte said Saturday in a statement released by his agent. "I accept responsibility for those two days."
On Thursday, Pettitte was among 85 players named by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's investigation into steroids and performance-enhancing drugs. Pettitte had not commented publicly on the allegations.
Pettitte asked the trainer he shared with Roger Clemens, Brian McNamee, to help him with HGH while on the disabled list early in the season, the report said. McNamee recalled injecting Pettitte two to four times, Mitchell said.
"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.
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"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."
Pettitte was not linked to steroids in the report, and he emphasized he had never used them.
"I have the utmost respect for baseball and have always tried to live my life in a way that would be honorable," he said. "If I have let down people that care about me, I am sorry, but I hope that you will listen to me carefully and understand that two days of perhaps bad judgment should not ruin a lifetime of hard work and dedication.
"I have tried to do things the right way my entire life, and, again, ask that you put those two days in the proper context. People that know me will know that what I say is true," he said.
Pettitte said he tried HGH on two occasions.
"If what I did was an error in judgment on my part, I apologize," Pettitte said Saturday in a statement released by his agent. "I accept responsibility for those two days."
On Thursday, Pettitte was among 85 players named by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's investigation into steroids and performance-enhancing drugs. Pettitte had not commented publicly on the allegations.
Pettitte asked the trainer he shared with Roger Clemens, Brian McNamee, to help him with HGH while on the disabled list early in the season, the report said. McNamee recalled injecting Pettitte two to four times, Mitchell said.
"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.
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"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."
Pettitte was not linked to steroids in the report, and he emphasized he had never used them.
"I have the utmost respect for baseball and have always tried to live my life in a way that would be honorable," he said. "If I have let down people that care about me, I am sorry, but I hope that you will listen to me carefully and understand that two days of perhaps bad judgment should not ruin a lifetime of hard work and dedication.
"I have tried to do things the right way my entire life, and, again, ask that you put those two days in the proper context. People that know me will know that what I say is true," he said.
NY/NJMFDIVER
Footballguy
GOOD JOB ANDY!
I mean, not on the roid part, but this is how you handle something. You could argue a day late, but its crazy to ride against this wave, sometimes you have to ride it, and ask with contrition for forgiveness, which our society seems to exists to grant.
I mean, not on the roid part, but this is how you handle something. You could argue a day late, but its crazy to ride against this wave, sometimes you have to ride it, and ask with contrition for forgiveness, which our society seems to exists to grant.
Balco
Footballguy
shadyridr
Footballguy
Most of these guys are dumb jocks. They probably just took their trainers word back in the past. Now I assume they ALL know the affects.
Koya
Footballguy
IMO, there is a significant difference between a player that used a banned substance to heal and one that used it as an ongoing competitive advantage. While this does not excuse anyone who used, the two are very different scenarios.If someone wants use the same brush with Pettitte as they are with Clemens or Bonds, that is their perogative, but I believe it is rather shortsighted. Context, as always, is important.Good for Andy in regard to coming forward and being honest.
shadyridr
Footballguy
Im really not being an apologist. Pettitte cheated and him admitting that doesnt change anything. But I honestly think theres a difference between somebody taking HGH once or twice to heal and somebody who takes a few cycles to bulk up. Of course Pettitte could be lying. Im just saying IF he is telling the truth what he did isnt as bad as what Bonds or Giambi allegedly did. You dont think there's a few levels of wrongdoing here?The Ghost of Common said:
cobalt_27
Footballguy
If it's no different, why didn't he get this treatment under a doctor's orders instead of in an under-the-table, secretive transaction?
shadyridr
Footballguy
Doctors dont prescribe HGH to heal injuries
cobalt_27
Footballguy
Why is that?
massraider
Footballguy
You know what Pettite admitted to? What he was caught at.
He's had plenty of time to fess up between now and then, but it was only after Mitchell already told us what he did, that he fessed up.
I think it's a political move by Pettite, get out in front of the mess, take your lumps, and move on. Probably smart.
Do I believe him? Why should I?
He's had plenty of time to fess up between now and then, but it was only after Mitchell already told us what he did, that he fessed up.
I think it's a political move by Pettite, get out in front of the mess, take your lumps, and move on. Probably smart.
Do I believe him? Why should I?
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
They can't test for HGH. Why is he admitting to this? Was that what he was accused of using in the Mitchell report?
massraider
Footballguy
Yes. One of Mitchell's main sources is Clemens and Pettite's former trainer.
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Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
Yeah I know that but was he specifically accused of using HGH? Anything else? I'm not a pharmacist for anything not involving street drugs.
massraider
Footballguy
Just HGH. McNamee claims to have injected him 2 to 4 times.
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
Well then I agree with you first post saying this is damage control. I'll bet Clemens isn't too happy about this because the old guilty by association thing comes into play.
shadyridr
Footballguy
Cuz Pettitte is more of a man than some others.
shadyridr
Footballguy
I agree with this. But IMO admitting it after the fact is still better than not admitting it at all
cobalt_27
Footballguy
Precisely.The research on hGH and it's efficacy in injury recovery is sketchy, at best. That's why, as shady correctly pointed out, he didn't seek it out through a doctor's consult. He used illegal means to obtain and use it, he kept it secretive until he got caught, and now this "injury recovery" shtick. I, for one, ain't buying it.
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shadyridr
Footballguy
Im not a doctor but Im assuming why would doctors prescribe a dangerous substance like HGH to heal a nonlifethreatening injury when regular work and rehab and rest can heal it instead? The risk is not worth the reward for doctors to prescribe it. Pettitte (and others) wanted to take a shortcut by taking it and I acknowledge that he cheated.
massraider
Footballguy
I think both Pettite and Clemens know that Clemens' cred is pretty much shot. I'd bet that Andy told Rocket he was going to mak this statement, and I doubt Clemens was upset. I mean, Clmens is in this up to his neck, Pettite claiming he took a few shots ain't gonna do any more damage.And I wonder how much Clemens cares what people think. My guess is he'll go the McGwire route, refuse to answer any questions, enjoy the money he made with the extra 10 years steroids bought him, raise his kids, and hope it'll blow over in time for him to get the Hall.
cobalt_27
Footballguy
It's just quite a bit different than taking a cortisone shot, wouldn't you say? I ain't letting him (or any of them) off the hook that easily.
shadyridr
Footballguy
Im not saying I believe Pettitte. Im just giving my responses as if he is telling the truth. Cuz if hes lying theres not much more we can do but speculate.
shadyridr
Footballguy
The side effects are different but the benefit is the same. Both heal.
cobalt_27
Footballguy
That's cool. I just think there's every bit of reason to remain skeptical of his admission as there is to buy it hook-line-and-sinker.
cobalt_27
Footballguy
The literature does not support this position completely. Not yet, it doesn't.
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
Well I think by the time the five years has passed we are going to get a lot more information on steroids and how many guys were using. At that point the voters will put Clemens and Bonds in on the first ballot which is what should happen. I think a lot of things have to be weighed but those two aren't Mark McGuire who was a great player, but not the best of players. Bonds' issue is his personality as much as his alleged steroid use but this stuff on Clemens and others actually helps Barry. The more alleged to have used, the more votes Bonds gets. McGuire will likely hang around for awhile on the ballot and then get in. Borderline candidates like Sheffield are ####ed.
cobalt_27
Footballguy
There was a time when I thought Bonds would get snubbed on the first ballot as a "message" vote. I'm still not entirely sure he won't be cemented as a symbol for this era by getting passed on the first ballot. But, with the MR coming out, and more confessions coming forth, I imagine it might lessen the ire directed solely at him, and writers will just throw up their hands and get him in on the first shot.
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
In that conversation the interesting one is Rafael Palmeiro. He has hall of fame numbers, but saying he didn't use steroids and then getting busted a few months later is probably the worst PR nightmare of any of the players. Sosa and McGuire will get the voters who loved that magical season but Palmeiro was a guy under the radar for a good portion of his career.
BoulderBob
Footballguy
I promise this will be my last post regarding this topic(crosses fingers)
As a fan, I just can't accept that some players are skewing the playing field, and cheating nature, so to speak. I'm sure it happens in all aspects of life, in many different forms, but the cheaters taint the game, and when a potential solution to a significant problem is on the table(olympic-style drug testing), one would think the clean players(if there are any at this point in time) in the game would be all for it. Maybe I'm simply naive, but baseball is the only sport I watch, the only sport I "care" about, the sport I played from little league through college, and if the true fans don't demand an equal playing field, maybe it's time I spend my time "caring" about something else.
Of course, the cheaters will always be one step ahead of the curve, so maybe it's all moot.
Pettite admits he used a substance that gave him an advantage, a substance that probably earned him a bigger slice of the pie than he deserved. I guess life is simply unfair...
As a fan, I just can't accept that some players are skewing the playing field, and cheating nature, so to speak. I'm sure it happens in all aspects of life, in many different forms, but the cheaters taint the game, and when a potential solution to a significant problem is on the table(olympic-style drug testing), one would think the clean players(if there are any at this point in time) in the game would be all for it. Maybe I'm simply naive, but baseball is the only sport I watch, the only sport I "care" about, the sport I played from little league through college, and if the true fans don't demand an equal playing field, maybe it's time I spend my time "caring" about something else.
Of course, the cheaters will always be one step ahead of the curve, so maybe it's all moot.
Pettite admits he used a substance that gave him an advantage, a substance that probably earned him a bigger slice of the pie than he deserved. I guess life is simply unfair...
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Koya
Footballguy
You seriously underestimate this boat.
Bob Henry
Footballguy
I agree with this and I stated in Dr D's thread that I thought the same MIGHT be the case with other players like Glaus, Matt Williams, etc. Lots of players take stuff when they are hurt. Doctors have long prescribed roids in certain cases, but they are for those specific reasons and very short-term. I don't have a problem with Pettitte. I'm glad he came clean, too. To me, it mostly exonerates him (totally from my own POV) but it also applies a lot of pressure on other players like Clemens, Tejada, etc to come clean with their stories. Our society is generally one that gives people second chances. A lot of these players missed their opportunities to be good examples of how to handle adversity. It would be very difficult and many are still playing so I know why they didn't come clean, but Giambi did.. and good for him. These guys could've helped baseball out a lot to put this behind them, come out and be honest and help the problem. Instead, we may never really know for a lot of these guys what really happened, to what extent and why.
Workhorse
Footballguy
http://www.amazon.com/Strike-Zone-Targetin...t/dp/0805430873
At least Canseco doesn't make any claims to being anything more than what he really is. Guys like Pettitte make me sick by claiming to be one thing in public and being another in private. Hypocrisy is an ugly thing.
At least Canseco doesn't make any claims to being anything more than what he really is. Guys like Pettitte make me sick by claiming to be one thing in public and being another in private. Hypocrisy is an ugly thing.
randall146
Footballguy
I don't buy his admission because he doesn't really accept responsibility at all. He downplays every part of it and concludes with "If I made a mistake I accept responsibility". He can't even admit he made a mistake.
Also, thinking through this, I don't think there can be a distinction between using hgh to heal more quickly and gaining a competitive advantage. They are the same thing. Coming back from injury faster and stronger is necessarily a competitive advantage over recovering more slowly and gradually.
Lastly, my opinion of Pettitte's lame "admission" has made me second guess my conclusions about Rodney Harrison's near identical explanation/justification of his hgh use.
Also, thinking through this, I don't think there can be a distinction between using hgh to heal more quickly and gaining a competitive advantage. They are the same thing. Coming back from injury faster and stronger is necessarily a competitive advantage over recovering more slowly and gradually.
Lastly, my opinion of Pettitte's lame "admission" has made me second guess my conclusions about Rodney Harrison's near identical explanation/justification of his hgh use.
Vladislav Tretiak
Footballguy
Sorry. Not me.Exonerate what? That he got caught?Bob Henry said:
If he would have said this two years ago, last year, or right after he used the HGH then I would say "Okay, he used it and he admitted it. I can buy his regret"
But to do it after getting caught along with one of your best pitching buddies? No dice. I am not buying the sincerity.
NY/NJMFDIVER
Footballguy
I think there is the slightest distinction, but its really all moot. If you did it, you did it, no excuses.I was initally complimentary of Pettite's coming forward, and I do at least respect the fact that he actually admitted doing SOMETHING, rather than the overpraised dancing in vagaries that Giambi did. But more or less, I agree with you. Just say you did it, the mistake thing and the semantics, you have come that far, go all the way. People are willing and want to forgive you, especially if you catch this early.
BoulderBob
Footballguy
I agree...so lets just call Pettite and company frauds, swindlers, crooks, etc...And if you played the sport for any length of time, and were "clean", you would be calling these players cheats as well, because it is simply what they are....carry on...
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Koya
Footballguy
Like anything, there is context and there is degree. Has no one here EVER cheated in ANY way in ANY sport or game - EVER?Pettitte was injured and used a substance that, as I understand it, was not even technically banned from baseball. Was it wrong? Yes. Is it cheating? Yeah, a little I suppose. But compared with Clemens, or Bonds, or even habitual spitballers, scuffers, corkers, Pettitte is significantly LESS cheating than any of those.
the moops
Footballguy
People are still touting this "he was injured" stuff?I dont buy it.
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