Former major-league infielder Fernando Vina on Monday admitted using human growth hormone in 2003 as he attempted to heal from injuries.
Vina, now an ESPN baseball analyst, was named last week in the Mitchell Report on performance-enhancing drugs. The report said he also purchased steroids from ex-New York Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski, but Vina denied those claims.
“I never bought steroids from him. All I used was HGH,” Vina said in an interview on ESPN.
An All-Star second baseman with Milwaukee in 1998, Vina also played for Seattle, the Mets, St. Louis and Detroit during a 12-year career that ended in 2004.
Slow to recover from knee and hamstring injuries, Vina played only 61 games for the Cardinals in 2003. He said he was under pressure from the team and himself to get back on the field, so he tried HGH.
“I tried everything rehabbing,” Vina said. “I came to a point that I was desperate.
New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte, also cited in the report, recently acknowledged using HGH for a similar reason — to try to recover from a sore elbow in 2002.
Backup catcher Gary Bennett, also named by Mitchell, said he took HGH in 2003 because of a knee injury. He signed with the L.A. Dodgers on Monday.
At 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, Vina said he wasn’t trying to bulk up — his job was to slap the ball around and use his quickness to get on base. He said he turned to HGH hoping to get healthy.
“Was it right? No. Obviously, it was wrong,” Vina said. “I’m embarrassed by it.
“Bottom line, it was stupid. I’m embarrassed now, and it didn’t help, either.”
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In other Mitchell Report news
Cleveland Indians pitcher Paul Byrd (left) met with baseball officials Monday to discuss his use of human growth hormone. It’s uncertain whether Byrd will face any discipline from the commissioner’s office or when a potential punishment might be handed down.
– After completing his $45 million, three-year contract with the New York Yankees on Monday, Mariano Rivera (left) said he was impressed with Andy Pettitte for admitting that he used human growth hormone after his name was included in the Mitchell Report.
AND FINALLY …
– Two suspects were arrested and will be charged with carjacking Atlanta Hawks forward Shelden Williams at gunpoint.
– Bill Cowher has told the Atlanta Falcons that he’s not interested in their coaching vacancy.
