Matthews speaks
Gary Matthews Jr. ended more than two weeks of silence Wednesday after being linked to a steroids investigation, denying for the first time that he took human growth hormone.
Matthews allegedly was sent HGH in 2004 from a pharmacy that’s part of a widespread steroid investigation. Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno and commissioner Bud Selig had been pushing Matthews to address the issue, and he finally did 16 days after the first stories came out.
“I have never taken HGH – during the 2004 season or any other time,” the former Spokane Indians player said in a statement. “Nobody has accused me of doing so, and no law enforcement authority has said I am a target of any investigation for doing so.”
Matthews explained the delay in his denial by saying he and his representatives needed to determine how he got linked to the story.
“Before saying anything publicly I wanted to make absolutely sure of my ground,” he said. “In particular, I needed to try to learn whether anybody in authority – in or out of baseball – felt they had reason to accuse me of anything with regard to HGH. If they did, I would have to deal with that. It has taken me, and those representing me, 16 days to make certain that’s not the case. And that is why it has taken longer than I would have preferred to make a public statement.”
Matthews declined to elaborate on his statement.
Rose bet on team ‘every night’
Pete Rose bet on the Cincinnati Reds “every night” when he managed them and, despite his lifetime ban because of gambling, would like another chance in a major league dugout.
“I bet on my team every night. I didn’t bet on my team four nights a week,” Rose said on “The Dan Patrick Show” on ESPN Radio.
“I bet on my team to win every night because I love my team, I believe in my team,” he said. “I did everything in my power every night to win that game.”
In a wide-ranging interview, the banned Rose said he thinks he should be reinstated because “I believe I’m the best ambassador baseball has.” He hopes a new exhibit in Cincinnati is a sign baseball will soften its stance toward him.
If reinstated, the 65-year-old Rose said he would like to again manage in the majors.
Torre hasn’t mentioned clause
Yankees manager Joe Torre hasn’t spoken with Alex Rodriguez about the opt-out clause in the New York third baseman’s contract.
Rodriguez, a two-time American League MVP, is entering the seventh season of his $252 million, 10-year contract, a deal he signed with the Texas Rangers. He can opt out of the agreement after the season and become a free agent.
“I hope he doesn’t add that to everything he has to deal with at this point in time. It’s tough enough playing this game without looking for the finish line too soon,” Torre said before a game against Minnesota.
Rodriguez told reporters Tuesday night that he wanted “100 percent stay in New York. Period.”
Clearing the bases
Center fielder Jim Edmonds (foot and shoulder surgery) and right fielder Juan Encarnacion (operation on left wrist) are likely to be on the disabled list when the St. Louis Cardinals start the defense of their World Series title. …Texas Rangers shortstop Michael Young had minor surgery to fix a cut on his left ear when he was hit by a pitch on the helmet. He didn’t travel with the team to a spring training game in Peoria. … Brian Roberts agreed to a $14.3 million, two-year contract extension with the Baltimore Orioles through 2009. … The Los Angeles Dodgers released third baseman Fernando Tatis – three days after he failed to report to their minor league camp.