Gary Matthews, Jr. Denies Using HgH

C'mon. What is this, an honesty contest? Are you surprised? Not to assume that Gary Matthews, Jr. is guilty of taking the banned substance, of course, but his name was on Applied Pharmacy Services' client list as having received a synthetic growth hormone.

Not looking so good for Gary.

After sixteen days of guilt-inducing silence, the Los Angeles Angels outfielder finally came out Wednesday to publicly deny ever taking human growth hormone (HgH).

"I have never taken HgH - during the 2004 season or any other time," Matthews said. "Nobody has accused me of doing so, and no law enforcement authority has said I am a target of any investigation for doing so."

Thanks for clearing that up. Matthews silence has done more than make people wonder whether he is innocent of cheating at baseball. It has created an unnecessary distraction at the club's spring training camp and has Angels owner Arte Moreno ticked off, to say the least. He made it crystal clear that the matter be resolved by Opening Day.

A little background on the subject: Sports Illustrated reported that Matthews was allegedly sent Genotropin, a brand of synthetic growth hormone, in August 2004. The drug reportedly came from Applied Pharmacy Services in Mobile, Alabama and was sent to an address in Mansfield, Texas of one of Matthews' former minor league teammates.

Before coming forward on the issue, Matthews apparently had to "make absolutely sure" where he and his people (lawyers and agent) stood. Basically, it took 16 days for him to figure out if anyone had any dirt on him... which he should have known right off the bat, if you ask me. Did you or did you not take HGH? It's that simple.

When asked if he ever purchased the banned substance, Matthews refused to comment, ending his statement by saying that he has said what he has to say and is ready to go back to work like he always does.

Coming off a great season in an otherwise mediocre career, Matthews signed a huge five-year, $50 million contract with the Angels in December after setting career highs with 19 longballs, 79 RBIs and a .313 average with the Texas Rangers in 2006.

[ABC Sports]

Blah Blah Steroids: Gary Matthews, Jr.

It seems someone has snitched on Gary Matthews Jr., as his name was allegedly on the list of a steroid distribution network's customers.

The Angels' center fielder spoke with reporters shortly before taking the field at the club's spring training camp, saying he would not answer specific questions regarding the allegation.

"I haven't read the story myself, and I don't have all the information. So until I get more information, this is going to be my position. I do expect it to resolve itself here in the near future. Until we can get more information, I just can't comment on it," he said.

The District Attorney for Albany County, P. David Soares, who led the investigation into Applied Pharmacy Services, said that a few athletes' names were on the client list, but he would not identify any of them.

The Times Union of Albany, on the other hand, reported that the names of Jose Canseco and former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield were allegedly included on customer lists in addition to Matthews'. The two owners have been indicted by an Albany County grand jury.