Pettitte Apologizes, Calling HGH Use an 'Embarrassment'

TAMPA, Fla. — Andy Pettitte has not spoken to Roger Clemens since giving a sworn statement which implicated his good friend in the use of human growth hormone.

"I think it's put a strain on our friendship," Pettitte said in an eagerly awaited news conference yesterday at the Yankees' spring training complex.

Pettitte apologized to the Yankees, the Houston Astros, and his fans for the "embarrassment" he caused them by taking HGH.

Pettitte arrived at spring training earlier in the day and threw a bullpen session at the minor league complex. Later, he met reporters for about an hour.

"I never want a young person to do what I did," Pettitte said. "I'm sorry for the mistakes I have made."

Pettitte sat alone at a podium, taking dozens of questions. He often paused to collect his thoughts and several times patiently asked reporters, "Did I answer your question?"

It had been about a month since he had spoken to Clemens, Pettitte said.

"I can't even describe how uncomfortable a situation" this has been, he said.

With Yankees teammates Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posada in attendance, along with two of his lawyers, Pettitte acknowledged he had considered not playing because of the ongoing situation.

"That wouldn't be the thing to do as a man. I felt like I needed to come out and face you guys and whatever circumstances that come I'll take it, I'll take it like a man and I'll try to do my job," he said.

Pettitte was excused from testifying publicly at a congressional hearing last week after he gave a deposition and an affidavit. In addition to his December admission that he used HGH for two days in 2002 while with the Yankees, he said he injected himself with HGH for one day in 2004 while with the Astros after obtaining two syringes from his father.

"I was never going to bring my dad up," he said.

Pettitte said there were no other times he used performance-enhancing drugs. "There are no other surprises out there," he said.

The 35-year-old lefty with 201 regular-season wins and four World Series championship rings said he did not feel as if his accomplishments were tainted.

"All I can tell you, from the bottom of my heart I know why I did this. I did it because I was told it might be able to help me," he said. "If people think I'm lying, then they should call me a cheater.

"Do I think I'm a cheater? No, I don't," he said. "Was it stupid? Yes, I was stupid. Was I desperate? Yes, I probably was."

Pettitte said in his previous statement that Clemens had discussed nearly a decade ago using HGH. In addition, Pettitte testified Brian McNamee, the former personal trainer for Clemens and Pettitte, had spoken in 2003 or 2004 about steroids use by Clemens.

Clemens claims Pettitte "misremembers."