Written by:
Paul Hoynes
March 03, 2008
Laker, a former Indians catcher and current minor- league instructor, met with reporters Sunday afternoon to discuss using steroids and his role in the Mitchell Report.
Kirk Radomski, a former Mets clubhouse worker whose testimony gave the Mitchell Report much of its firepower, told investigators that he supplied numerous big-league players, including Laker, with steroids for several years.
"It was a decision I made a long time ago," said Laker, who played for the Indians from 2001-04 and in 2006. "It's something I regret."
Laker, a catcher with borderline talent, played sparingly for five big-league teams over 11 seasons. He started using Deca- Durabolin and testosterone in 1995 after former Indian David Segui introduced him to Radomski when they played for Montreal. Laker, according to the Mitchell Report, last used steroids in 2000. He paid Radomski $2,000 for testosterone and syringes, which he used to inject himself.
"Obviously, I regret the pain I've caused my family," said Laker. "I have a 16-year-old stepson. It wasn't easy looking him in the eye and telling him. He's got to go to school and answer questions about that. It's something he shouldn't have to do."
Laker hit .226 with 11 homers and 79 RBI in 281 big-league games.
Asked whether steroids helped his performance, Laker said, "Just look at my stats."
When it was first reported that Radomski was going to cooperate with Major League Baseball and former Sen. George Mitchell's investigators to avoid criminal charges, Laker knew he was in trouble.
"When they called from the Mitchell Report, I was not surprised," he said.
Laker, 40, had to testify because he was employed by a big- league team. He said he never thought about quitting his job with the Indians to avoid testifying. "I made a decision to be honest, not hide from what I did," said Laker, about his two-hour meeting with investigators. "Legally, it might not have been that smart of a move for me. I might have chosen the road a lot of other guys did."
Laker said he started thinking about using steroids in 1992 after getting called up by the Expos. He was diagnosed with colitis, an inflammation of the colon, shortly after the promotion and lost 15 pounds.
"I battled weight issues for the next couple of years," said Laker. "Along with weight comes strength. . . . Do I think that's an excuse? Do I think that's acceptable? Absolutely not."
When Laker talked to the Mitchell investigators in July, he was managing the Indians' Class A Mahoning Valley club. He said the Indians did not ask him to step down as manager because of his steroid revelation. He said the decision was his own so he could concentrate on his health.
Over the winter, Laker was hospitalized because of a colitis attack. He also had his gallbladder removed and is still well below his playing weight.
Laker said his steroid use may have endangered his health, but it has nothing to do with his current problems.
"I've been on medication for colitis since 1992," said Laker. "No one knows what causes it, and there is no cure."
After the Mitchell Report was released in December, the Indians said Laker might talk to their minor-leaguers about the dangers of steroids. Laker addressed that Sunday by saying, "That's what all coaches do. Not just with this experience. . . . You take your life experiences and learn from them and teach from them."
Laker said he was not concerned about working in baseball after being one of more than 80 former and current players named in the Mitchell Report.
"When I made a decision to go in that direction, I was a 25-year-old kid," he said. "I'm not the same person now.
"I think I've done enough good things in this game. I think I've made a good enough impression on enough people, that I won't be judged on one action."
Said manager Eric Wedge, "We've got Tim Laker in the organization as an instructor. And I'm proud to have him in the organization."
