And, in reality, all the facts, explanations, etc., related to this case don’t really matter – because you were probably dead-ready to either forgive Pettitte or stone him…way before all this came to the surface.
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Exactly. And this argument could be extended to other players and maybe PED’s in general…

Andy’s been a favorite of mine since he came up. And I admire that he acknowleged use of HGH and didn’t issue a statement similar to Clemens. But, I wish he just said he did try HGH, he screwed up and he’s sorry he disappointed us. Instead the statement qualifies and negates its point by using phrases such as “If what I did was an error in judgment…”, “If I have let down people that care about me,…”

Yeah it WAS an error in judgement and OF course you let us down. No ifs about it.

Keep in mind that HGH was essentially treated the same as street drugs like cocaine in that drug policy. But I have to agree with Steve’s post, I like Andy so I’ve been looking for reasons to let it slide and the fact that he issued this statement has made it pretty easy to do so.

As far as Clemens, well, I’ve been someone who could empathize with Barry Bonds’ reasons for usage, so I’m an easy mark. Bonds saw Sosa and McGwire using and setting records and being adored for doing so, and decided to join in. Was it right? No. Was it better to go the Ken Griffey or Frank Thomas route, and suffer through some down years but still putting up Hall of Fame career numbers. Absolutely, and those two guys, among others, can hold their heads up high at the end of the day. The verdict is out on Clemens’ ability to hold his head high right now.

HGH must be taken almost daily over a long period of time to be effective. Taking it a couple of times over a ten day period like Pettitte claims would have no effect in helping him heal faster or his performance over the course of the season.

As for the difference between cortisone and HGH, HGH is illegal unless prescribed for specific growth hormone deficiencies,and against the rules of MLB’s drug policy dating back to 1971.

I think the more interesting question is whether or not Pettitte would have gone the HGH route but for the influence of Clemens.

What is the difference between getting a cortisone shot and getting HGH? If HGH is more effective at speeding healing and recovery time for injury, why would that be illegal? Especially if it is used at the time the player is on the DL and it stops after the player returns and is no longer on the DL or injured.

I feel Pettitte has nothing to apologize for, especially since it wasn’t illegal at the time he was taking it.