Trainer: I injected Pettitte to aid recovery

BY KAT O'BRIEN | kat.obrien@newsday.com

December 14, 2007

The Mitchell Report, a 21-month investigation into the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball completed by former Senator George Mitchell and released yesterday, is littered with the names of Yankees players, past and present.

The most prominent Yankee to be linked to the use of steroids in the report is seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens, who pitched for the Yankees in 2007 but might retire before the 2008 season begins. Other big names in the report are first baseman/DH Jason Giambi, who already has tacitly admitted having used steroids and testified to that effect; pitcher Andy Pettitte, whose re-signing with the Yankees was formally announced Wednesday, and former Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield, who was under investigation by BALCO in recent years.

The inclusion of Pettitte's name in the report is somewhat of a surprise. In a conference call Wednesday announcing his one-year, $16-million contract, Pettitte said he had not been contacted by anyone from the Mitchell Report nor by anyone else since a 2006 affidavit involving Jason Grimsley named him.

"No, I have not heard anything after that, and that's really it," Pettitte said. "I have not heard a word from anyone other than that." In his report, Mitchell said he asked that Pettitte meet with him but that the pitcher declined.

Brian McNamee, a former Yankees strength and conditioning coach as well as someone who has worked with Clemens and Pettitte, detailed the alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. His allegations against Pettitte were much more limited than those against Pettitte's close friend Clemens and refer only to the use of human growth hormone, which was not banned by MLB until 2005. McNamee, the report said, began working as Pettitte's trainer in 1999.

According to McNamee, Pettitte asked him about human growth hormone in the 2001-02 offseason and McNamee advised him against using it. But when Pettitte was on the disabled list with elbow tendinitis from April-June 2002 and doing rehab work in Tampa, McNamee said Pettitte called him "and asked again about human growth hormone. Pettitte stated that he wanted to speed his recovery and help his team." McNamee then recalled that he "injected Pettitte with human growth hormone that McNamee obtained from [Kirk] Radomski on two to four occasions." McNamee did not allege any use of performance-enhancing drugs by Pettitte after the 2002 season.

Pettitte's agent, Randy Hendricks, released the following statement on his behalf: "I have advised Andy that as an active player, he should refrain from commenting until we have had an opportunity to speak with his union and other advisers. At the appropriate time, he will have something to say." Hendricks also represents Clemens and released a vehement denial by Clemens' lawyer, Rusty Hardin.

A total of 21 current and former Yankees were listed in the report. Along with Clemens, Giambi, Pettitte and Sheffield, Ricky Bones, Kevin Brown, Chuck Knoblauch, David Justice, Mike Stanton, Rondell White, Glenallen Hill, Jose Canseco, Grimsley, Denny Neagle, Randy Velarde, Darren Holmes, Ron Villone, Dan Naulty, Todd Williams, Bobby Estalella and Josias Manzanillo were named. Pettitte, Clemens, Giambi and Villone played for the Yankees in 2007.

Spokesman Howard Rubenstein released a brief statement on the Yankees' behalf with regard to the Mitchell Report: "We are reviewing the report and have no comment." Yankees officials, including Hank Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman, did not return multiple phone calls.

Villone said by phone last night: "The only thing I can tell you is I hope this whole thing gets resolved in the right manner." For further comment, he said to contact his attorney, Jim Hamilton, who could not be reached.