Former Boston Red Sox slugger and 1995 American League MVP Mo Vaughn has admitted to using human growth hormone (HGH) towards the end of his career in 2001, according to an exclusive report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Connecticut native and three-time All-Star played for the Red Sox, the then-Anaheim Angels, and the New York Mets. While he never formally announced his retirement, he stopped playing after the 2003 season. He was originally one of the long list of names on the infamous Mitchell Report that was released in 2007.
EXCLUSIVE: Mo Vaughn told The Athletic that he used human growth hormone in an effort to extend his career, confirming for the first time information disclosed in 2007 in the Mitchell Report.
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Mo Vaughn Admits to Using HGH During Playing Career
Towards the end of his career, Mo Vaughn was trying to extend it as much as possible. His goal was to fix his degenerative knee and keep adding to his potential Hall of Fame resumé. His confession ultimately confirms the Mitchell Report’s findings. It stated that he had ties with the New York Mets’ former batboy, Kirk Radomski, who became notorious as a supplier of performance-enhancing drugs to major league players. Radomski not only supplied Vaughn with HGH, but personally gave it to him. HGH was an alternative option because anabolic steroids had bigger needles, and that was a fear of Vaughn’s, according to the Mitchell Report.
Usually, there could be repercussions for the former 1995 MVP, but according to MLB, HGH was not banned until 2005. Vaughn took it in 2001, so by a technicality, he wasn’t breaking any rules during his playing days. While his numbers don’t quite compare to the likes of Manny Ramirez or Barry Bonds, he still had an amazing 12-year career. When he was with Boston, it was the most memorable time of his career. If his ankle issues weren’t in play, there’s no doubt that he’d be a Hall of Famer right now.
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