Losing an example

As you probably know, Andy Pettitte admitted using HGH in 2002 when he had elbow problems. Those elbow problems sidelined him for part of the season and wiped out most of his 2004. HGH is a prescription medication and use of ALL prescription meds are banned by Major League Baseball unless the player has a valid doctor's prescription for their use. Pettitte did not claim he had such a prescription when he used HGH.

Pettitte is right to come clean, and The Monk doubts the effect of HGH on his career -- after all, Pettitte stank in his 2002 playoff appearance (Torre yanked him after 3 bad innings) and lost most of 2004 to injury. Taking his claim at face value, he used HGH twice and for the purpose of accelerating recovery from injury. The effectiveness of HGH for that purpose is questionable. He is not a cheater like Canseco.

Major Leaguers are remarkably dumb. Almost none have college degrees and few (Mussina is an exception) would get into a good college but for their baseball ability. Far more common are the ballplayers who skipped college altogether to go straight to the minors after halfheartedly attending high school (*cough* Manny *cough*). The absence of education that the average ballplayer received is comparable to top hockey players who go into junior programs straight off the snow farms in Canada. So it's easy to see why ballplayers would be stupid enough to buy into some line of BS from the clubhouse attendant who heard from a friend that HGH can heal all wounds and he can get some for the player if the price is right.

I'm disappointed that Andy Pettitte sunk to this average level of stupidity or, worse yet, actively sought an edge illegally. I've noted that as a person and ballplayer he carried himself with dignity and class, prioritized family, showed devotion to his wife and provided a fine example for kids.

I can't say that anymore.