TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte
apologized on Monday for using human growth hormone and said he had not talked
to his good friend Roger Clemens since the US Congress held hearings last week
on drug and steroid use by baseball players.
"I never want a young person to do what I did," he said in
apologizing to his Yankees’ and Houston Astros’ teammates and fans and children
who looked up to him as a hero.
In an hour-long news conference, Pettitte discussed the sworn
statement he gave to the congressional committee that admitted he used HGH in
2002 and 2004.
Pettitte said he taken HGH to help recover from an elbow
injury and not to get an advantage over other players. He said he did not
consider himself a cheater.
In the sworn statement, Pettitte said he and Clemens, a
former teammate with the Yankees and Houston, discussed HGH use and that Clemens
had said he had used it. Clemens testified last week that Pettitte was mistaken
and he had never used HGH or steroids.
Asked about the conflicting statements on Monday, Pettitte
replied, "I’m not going to go there." He added had not talked to Clemens, one of
baseball’s most dominant pitchers in the past two decades, since the
congressional hearing.
"I love him like a brother," Pettitte said of Clemens, but
added, "It’s put a strain on our relationship."
Pettitte said he had considered not playing this season, but
decided it would be cowardly. He said he hoped to put the controversy behind him
and help the Yankees win, but knew it would be difficult.
"As far as the baseball season goes, I’ll just have to deal
with it," Pettitte said.
He said he had been promised 100 percent support by Yankee
owner George Stein-brenner.
Yankee manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman
sat next to Pettitte during the news conference at the Yankees’ spring training
camp. Teammates Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera also were there to
show their support.
Girardi said he was sure Pettitte could handle the situation.
"Andy has a good heart," Girardi said.
Pettitte, a left-handed pitcher, reported to the training
camp four days late. He said his pitching arm felt great but that he needed to
get into better condition.
Pettitte had a 15-9 record for the Yankees in 2007 and is being counted on to
be one of the team’s top starters this year.
