Photo of Andy Pettitte talking to the media by AP/Julie Jacobson
With some of his current Yankees teammates on hand, Andy Pettitte addressed the media in Florida this afternoon. Pettitte, who previously admitted using Human Growth Hormone in 2002 and again in 2004, apologized to the Yankees, Astros, and his fans for the "embarrassment" he caused. Pettitte said, "I want to apologize to the New York Yankees and Houston Astros organizations, their fans, my teammates and all baseball fans for the embarrassment I have caused them. I also want to tell anyone who is an Andy Pettitte fan that I am sorry."
Pettitte's close friends Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee testified in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform last week, a hearing that Pettitte was excused from and did not watch. During the press conference, Pettitte said that he had not spoken to Clemens for about a month and that he considered retiring due to the situation, but it "wouldn't be the thing to do as a man." He also expects to hear boos from fans, something he's used to as a member of the Yankees, though it would be different in the coming season.
While Clemens told the House committee that Pettitte "misremembers" conversations that the two had, Pettitte said today that he told the truth and that he still considers himself Clemens' friend. "I think Roger knows how I feel about him," Pettitte said. "He knows I've admired him and I continue to admire him. He's been a great friend to me and I love him like a brother. The situation is a horrible situation. Mac is also a very good friend of mine. Mac told the truth about me."
