Michael Giltz: Andy Pettitte Fails to Take Responsibility http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/andy-pettitte-fails-to-ta_b_87242.html[4/5/2009 7:48:47 PM] APRIL 5, 2009 HOME POLITICS MEDIA BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT LIVING STYLE GREEN WORLD CHICAGO COMEDY 23/6 VIDEO BLOGGER INDEX ARCHIVE Make HuffPost Your HomePage Get Email Alerts Twitter: Follow Us BIG NEWS : Angelina Jolie | Madonna | Chris Brown & Rihanna | Paul McCartney | More...</p><p> LOG IN | SIGN UP Michael Giltz BIO Become a Fan Get Email Alerts Similar Bloggers Email Print Be the First to Submit This Story to Digg Andy Pettitte Fails to Take Responsibility Posted February 18, 2008 | 03:48 PM (EST) Read More: Andy Pettitte , Baseball , Brian McNamee , Cheating , Hgh , New York Yankees , Roger Clemens , Steroids , Breaking Entertainment News Andy Pettitte is in the midst of a press conference discussing the abuse of steroids and HGH in baseball and his personal role in breaking the law.</p><p> Sadly, he remains incapable of saying two simple words: "I cheated." Andy again tries to justify his actions as not that bad and notreally cheating because he was only trying to recover from an injury, "Anyone that has followed mycareer knows that I have battled elbow problems the entire time.</p><p> Again, like I said before, I nevertook this to get an edge on anyone.</p><p> I did this to try to get off the DL and to do my job." Remarkably, even in the context of religion and his faith, Andy continues to see his breaking of federal law and besmirching baseball as morally ok. "I felt like it was the right thing to do in my heart," insists Andy. "As far as my faith, I felt good about it." Huh? Andy says -- rightly -- that kids shouldn't do what he did.</p><p> But if what he did was morally fine andhe did it for the right reasons, is that only becauseunder a technicality it's against federal law andagainst the morals clause of baseball? Andy cheated,pure and simple.</p><p> But asked point blank, he says again, "Do I think I'm a cheater? No, I don't.</p><p> Was it stupid? Yeah." He also said, "If people thinkI'm lying, then they should call me a cheater." Maybe the words to describe Andy are "in denial." Here's why.1.</p><p> Using HGH to recover from an injury gives you an edge over other teams -- It gives your team an edge over other teams who have pitchers that are injured but refuse to cheat and break the law inorder to recover more quickly. 2.</p><p> Using HGH to recover from an injury gives you an edge over your own teammates -- Pitchers are working together to win games but they're also in competition.</p><p> If Andy is injured, that givesanother pitcher a chance to start a major league game.</p><p> It might even mean the chance for a minorleaguer to come up to the majors.</p><p> And that means another minor leaguer might get a chance to Popular Stories on HuffPost Fashion Face-Off! Michelle Obama And Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Finally Meet In France (VIDEO, PHOTOS, POLL) *Video, poll and slideshow Levi Johnston TalksSafe Sex With Tyra Banks (VIDEO) ***UPDATE*** 8:30pm: People.com is reporting that Sarah Palin has issued...</p><p> Oscar de la Renta Slams Michelle Obama's Buckingham Outfit As Major Designers FeelIgnored While Michelle Obamahas made lesser...</p><p> Verena von Pfetten 7 Lessons To BeLearned From Carla Bruni So here's the thing.There's no shortage of articles dedicated to thatcertain je ne...</p><p> Huff TV Arianna Discusses MichelleObama's "Fantastic" Style On CBS' Madonna Jets Out Of Malawi More in Entertainment: 'Fast' Rakes In $72.5M...</p><p> Madonna Tot's Dad Found...</p><p> Farrah's Son Arrested...</p><p> Farrah Fawcett Is Hospitalized Michael Giltz: Andy Pettitte Fails to Take Responsibility http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/andy-pettitte-fails-to-ta_b_87242.html[4/5/2009 7:48:47 PM] Like this story? Get Alerts of big news events.</p><p> Enter your email address MLB to Start Steroid Hall of Fame SNL: Madonna And Angelina In Weekend Update...</p><p> Reality Star Jade Goody Buried In Lavish...</p><p> Robert De Niro Nanny Sues For $40,000jump from Double A ball to Triple A ball to fill their slot.</p><p> The number of people that Andy cheated by potentially pitching when he should have been injured is hard to estimate but large.</p><p> It also affects the people Andy faced on another team.</p><p> Maybe an opposing pitcher who faced the guy he should have faced if Andy hadn't cheated would have won a game and changed their season.</p><p> Or they would have lost it and that might have meant a minor leaguer came up and had a shot st the show.</p><p> Again, it's impossible to know how many people that Andy cheated but it's many. 3.</p><p> Using HGH for a short period of time guarantees the likelihood of getting caught via testing is nil -- unlike steroids, there's no test yet for HGH in baseball.</p><p> Therefore, suggesting that his use of HGH instead of the far riskier steroids (as far as getting caught is concerned) is hardly more admirable. 4.</p><p> Recovering from an injury fast brings personal glory, increases your market value and benefits you in every way -- every player wants to help their team win games.</p><p> But cheating is no way toreach that goal.</p><p> You're cheating if you're using steroids to build muscle mass.</p><p> You're cheating if youtrip up an opponent when no one is looking.</p><p> And you're cheating if you illegally use drugs in orderto recover more quickly. 5.</p><p> Andy tries to pretend it wasn't technically illegal to use HGH -- "If it was illegal in baseball, I wouldn't have done it," he insists.</p><p> Andy, it was AGAINST FEDERAL LAW.</p><p> Baseball has a moralsclause -- anything that brings disgrace to the game of baseball is against the rules.</p><p> Cheating ischeating. 6.</p><p> Andy says it hurt that people suspected he used steroids -- Why? Using steroids is cheating.</p><p> Using HGH is cheating.</p><p> Period.</p><p> Cheating for years is worse? Sure.</p><p> But Andy cheated twice over a several year period out of "desperation" as he put it.</p><p> How he could be desperate, break the law and yet still believe he wasn't cheating is hard to swallow. 7.</p><p> Andy says he should have had a prescription -- According to the New York Times , HGH is NEVER prescribed to professional athletes to recover form injuries.</p><p> The rare instances in which it is legal to prescribe HGH (and it is the rare drug that specifically can NOT be used for anything other than what it is specifically approved for) include dwarfism, and wasting disease associated with AIDS.</p><p> Andy is deeply confused about HGH if he thinks he could go to a doctor and get a prescription of it to fix a balky elbow.</p><p> I'd love for Andy to find some religious counselor, some ethicist, some moral leader who would tell us that breaking federal law, illegally obtaining a drug to recover from injuries faster than yourteammates or your opponenets and getting a shot late at night from a shady fitness trainer ISN'Tcheating and is in fact a-ok by them and in their opinion, by God.</p><p> Maybe one reason he can stay indenial is because he's under no threat of being suspended for even a day.</p><p> And that's one more blackmark on the failed, disastrous legacy of Bud Selig and baseball.</p><p> Andy, you cheated.</p><p> Pure and simple.</p><p> Please, please wake up to that simple fact.</p><p> Email Print More in Entertainment...</p><p> HuffPost Stories Surging Right Now "Washington Unplugged" Arianna was on CBS' "Washington...</p><p> Huff TV Arianna Appears on ABC's "This Week" Roundtable With George Stephanopoulos (VIDEO) Arianna was a guest this morning on... "BRUNO" TRAILER! Calamity, African Babies, Chase Scenes And More (NSFW VIDEO) IT'S HERE! The trailer for this July's Sacha BaronCohen...</p><p> NATO Leaders Focus On Afghanistan, But Most Reject Obama'sPlea For Troops (SLIDESHOW) STRASBOURG, France— On the eve of the NATO...</p><p> First Lady Fashion At Friday's NATO Concert (PHOTOS) Another night, another fashion opportunity for NATO leaders and their spouses! See...</p><p> Diana Palin, Sarah Palin's Sister-In-Law, Arrested For Breaking Into Home ANCHORAGE, Alaska —Police say Alaska Gov....</p><p> John Oliver Explains The Real Reason You Never Touch TheQueen (VIDEO) John Oliver was upsetenough to drop his monocle when he...</p><p> Jim Cramer Declares The Depression "Over" (VIDEO) On Thursday's episode of "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer declared that the depression...</p><p> New Jay Leno ShowRejected By NBCAffiliate In Boston BOSTON — Boston'sNBC affiliate says it will air a local newscast instead of...</p><p> Ice Bridge Ruptures In Antarctic (VIDEO) An ice bridge linking a shelf of ice the size of Jamaica to two islands in Antarctica has Scientists Find Rocket Fuel Chemical In Infant Formula ATLANTA — Traces of aMichael Giltz: Andy Pettitte Fails to Take Responsibility http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/andy-pettitte-fails-to-ta_b_87242.html[4/5/2009 7:48:47 PM]Michelle Obama's Clothing Has Sean Hannity All Out OfSortsCenk Uygur: Have WeReached the Tipping Pointon Guns? RICHARD POPLAWSKI,Pittsburgh Gunman, Kills 3Police Officers Dr.</p><p> Rachel Ehrenfeld: DoesIran Harbor Osama binLaden? Comments 15 Pending Comments 0 Ads by Google Derek Jeter's IQ=126 Take the Fast IQ Test Now to see if You can Beat Derek's ScoreGet-Your-IQ.com Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to View Comments: Newest First Expand All CintiBlue See Profile I'm a Fan of CintiBlue permalink The feeling okay in his heart thing sounded just like David Vitter to me. pizzmoe See Profile I'm a Fan of pizzmoe permalink I'm not at all bothered what Pettitte did, but it sure seemed like he took full responsibility for it.</p><p> Michael Giltz See Profile I'm a Fan of Michael Giltz permalink You're not bothered that he broke federal law and risked his health in a stupid, ineffective way to gain an edge on his opponents? I hope you don't have kids who compete in sports.</p><p> Nommo See Profile I'm a Fan of Nommo permalink Is anyone dead behind his lies? Enough of this already.</p><p> In a few years, no one will be discussingPetitte, Clemens or any of the others and what war will we be engaged in while he sits back likely neverhaving to work again in this life? Michael Giltz See Profile I'm a Fan of Michael Giltz permalink You know, it is possible to discuss and debate and take a stand on global warming and thewar in Iraq and the national debt and rampant cheating in baseball and universal health careand a host of other issues.</p><p> In some ways, they're linked: a refusal to accept evidence (thosewho insist they're not convinced Clemens cheated), a refusal to accept science (those whoinsist we don't know if these drugs can help), a willingness to cut corners (cheating isrampant, everyone does it, so just accept it) and a refusal to accept responsibility (Clemens contradicting himself from moment to moment and Pettitte insisting God would be delighted with Pettitte's desire to break the law and risk his health to win a baseball game).</p><p> Clemensthinks he can just keep repeating a lie over and over until people get bored and move on just Computers India Barack Obama Michelle Obama Sports Olympics Housing Crisis Fox News Cars MORE BIG NEWS PAGES » Books by this author A cabin of one's own: New England's MacDowellColony celebrates 100years of artistic utopia.And the gay and lesbianartists who prosperedthere celebrate ... (Thenational gay & lesbiannewsmagazine) by Michael Giltz Affairs to remember:Farley Granger beddedAva Gardner, ShelleyWinters, and LeonardBernstein.</p><p> In hisautobiography, IncludeMe Out, Hitchcock's muse... (The national gay &lesbian newsmagazine) by Michael Giltzchemical used in rocket fuel were found insamples of...</p><p> HUFFPOST'S BIG NEWS PAGES Bloggers Index Read All Posts by Michael Giltz Related News Politics Levi Johnston Talks Safe Sex With Tyra Banks (VIDEO) Style Michelle Obama Hugs Queen Elizabeth, Stirs Controversy (PHOTOS, POLL, VIDEO) World Obama Breaks Up 'Heated' Spat Between Sarkozy, HuJintao Related Blog Posts Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:10 AM on 02/19/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:32 AM on 02/19/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:25 PM on 02/19/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:12 AM on 02/19/2008This Blogger's Books from Michael Giltz: Andy Pettitte Fails to Take Responsibility http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/andy-pettitte-fails-to-ta_b_87242.html[4/5/2009 7:48:47 PM] like Bush did.</p><p> Facts matter.</p><p> Ethics matter.</p><p> If you ignore cheating in baseball and sports, wy then you'll be more likely to accept it in politics and war.</p><p> Presidents lie, of course, so what'sthe big deal? I think it's a big deal.</p><p> Nommo See Profile I'm a Fan of Nommo permalink It is old news, and baseball was allowed to let this happen because the owners weremaking tons of money, god was in his heaven and all was right with the world.</p><p> Nowif the Congress was as on top of Iran-Contra, the outing of a covert agent and thosekinds of matters, then their pursuit of cheating ballplayers might have a greaterlegitimacy.</p><p> The use of steroids and HGH went on for years even though a casual observer had to know that something was going on when you see previously skinny men all of a sudden bursting uniform seams.</p><p> Players performing at a level that was not justifiedby anything they had done earlier in their careers.</p><p> So who had their heads buried in the sand all this time? And if they find a way to punish all these players, do the owners, team physicians, and all those charged withmaintaining the integrity of the game get off scott-free? Remember the bottle labeled"andro" in McGuire's locker? Sport, particularly baseball has always celebrated its cheaters, from Ty Cobb's spikes to Gaylord Perry's spitballs and all the others, so it seems like days late anddollars short on this matter.</p><p> Quite frankly, I suggest that stolen elections are a slightly more important matter.</p><p> There are More Comments on this Thread.</p><p> Click Here To See them All SteveSmith See Profile I'm a Fan of SteveSmith permalink Athletes cheat.</p><p> It's the nature of being a great athlete, to find a competitive edge that others won't pursue.</p><p> As a fan, I expect the players on teams I root for to do whatever is necessary to get that edge,including, if necessary, "cheat" to get off the disabled list.</p><p> And since the usage of HGH (unlike roids) isa malum prohibitum violation of the rules, much like a college athlete taking money under the table, I'mnot bothered by what Petitte did, even though I'm not an Astros or Yankees fan.</p><p> Michael Giltz See Profile I'm a Fan of Michael Giltz permalink No Steve, you are completely wrong.</p><p> Yes, some athletes are like Ty Cobb and despitemassive talent they will still clobber and pummel and take advantage of every opportunity whether legal or not to gain an edge.</p><p> But most are not.</p><p> People don't breathlessly repeat stories of how they were at the Super Bowl and watched their favorite quarterback steal a signal or sneak over the line or somehow break the rules to win.</p><p> They don't say, hey remember when we were at the Daytona 500 and our favorite racer smashed the machine of his opponent into pieces when the referees weren't looking? Gosh, that was great. it is in the nature of a great athlete to play a game beautifullyand with extraordinary skill, whether you'rePele or Babe Ruth or Roger federer or Michael Jordan.</p><p> What stories do you have of MichaelJordoan cheating? None.</p><p> And if he did, he would be less admired.</p><p> Your cynical "everyonecheats" attitude isn't borne out by any evidence, happily.</p><p> Athletes who cheat are disgraced,not celebrated.</p><p> Coaches who put winning first are controversial, not beloved.</p><p> Quaoar See Profile I'm a Fan of Quaoar permalink "I'd love for Andy to find some religious counselor, some ethicist, some moral leader who would tell usthat breaking federal law, illegally obtaining a drug to recover from injuries faster than your teammatesor your opponenets and getting a shot late at night from a shady fitness trainer ISN'T cheating and is infact a-ok by them and in their opinion, by God." If he doesn't realize what he's done is wrong already, he never will.</p><p> No counselor or religious leader is likely to make him see reason.</p><p> Andy Pettitte BaseballBrian McNameeCheatingHghNew York YankeesRoger ClemensSteroids Style : Bonnie Fuller Michelle Obama's Lost Her Mind! 3 Reasons She's Suddenly A Fashion Disaster Style : Verena von Pfetten 7 Lessons To Be Learned From Carla Bruni Style : Verena von Pfetten Brow-O-Wow: Bushy Eyebrows Make AComeback (PHOTOS, POLL) Related Tags Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:31 PM on 02/19/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:27 AM on 02/20/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:55 PM on 02/18/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:36 PM on 02/19/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:59 PM on 02/18/2008Michael Giltz: Andy Pettitte Fails to Take Responsibility http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/andy-pettitte-fails-to-ta_b_87242.html[4/5/2009 7:48:47 PM] HOME POLITICS MEDIA BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT LIVING GREEN STYLE WORLD CHICAGO COMEDY FUNDRACE ARCHIVE Advertise | Login | Make HuffPost your Home Page | RSS | Jobs | FAQ: Comments & Moderation | FAQ: Huffpost Accounts | Contact Us Copyright © 2009 HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. | Archive | User Agreement | Privacy | Comment Policy | About Us | Powered by Movable Type Comments are closed for this entry Nommo See Profile I'm a Fan of Nommo permalink The day he sees reason, his career is done.</p><p> Or vice versa.</p><p> That is the whole point, reason has never really been a part of their lives.</p><p> I remember when he left the Yanks because hethought that he had not been acknowledged by Steinbrenner after a great performance.</p><p> Was George acting out of character? No.</p><p> Was he paying Andy a handsome salary? Seems to me, at any rate.</p><p> They are athletes.</p><p> If you ever have to deal with a brain surgeon, you'd like to have one at least as skilled as Andy has been.</p><p> You could aim higher, but good is good.</p><p> They just are not for where one goes looking for more than just a good game performance.</p><p> When all is said and done, as you said, MG, I still got bills to pay.</p><p> Michael Giltz See Profile I'm a Fan of Michael Giltz permalink You're right, of course. sullynyc See Profile I'm a Fan of sullynyc permalink on my drive to work (Beacon NY) I was listening to Boomer Esiason's show in WFAN.</p><p> The one thing hepredicted we'd hear from Pettitte was the words "God" or "my faith" etc.</p><p> As if mouthing the wordsmakes you a Christian and gets you a free pass from questioning.</p><p> Unreal.</p><p> Michael Giltz See Profile I'm a Fan of Michael Giltz permalink Also very true.</p><p> It was really remarkable to hear Andy insist he had good reasons torepeatedly lie for years and then finally insist that he actually did nothing wrong and God would approve of it.</p><p> Good to know God approves of doping.</p><p> You must be logged in to reply to this comment.</p><p> Log in or Ads by Google Derek Jeter's IQ=126 Take the Fast IQ Test Now to see if You can Beat Derek's ScoreGet-Your-IQ.com Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:36 PM on 02/20/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:36 PM on 02/19/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:00 PM on 02/18/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:38 PM on 02/19/2008
