Around The AL East: Orioles

In the aftermath of the Mitchell Report's release, the Orioles suffered a gut-wrenching realization: The inclusion of Brian Roberts on the list of players implicated in the scandal was factual.

Roberts has been one of the most beloved Orioles in recent years. In addition to being a two-time All-Star and one of the top leadoff men in the American League, he has been a fan favorite, a stalwart in the community and one of the best public relations tools the organization has had in many years.

Because of those reasons, having Roberts admit that he did, in fact, use a performance-enhancing substance cut the organization and Roberts' fans to the quick. Still, he has been asked by Maryland Congressman Elijah E. Cummings to visit a Baltimore organization that talks to young people about the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs.

The fact that Roberts came out and admitted "making a mistake" after being included on hearsay by friend and former teammate Larry Bigbie said something about the second baseman. However, the fact that he used steroids even once, as he said in his public apology, veiled his credibility with doubts about his honesty.

"In 2003, when I took one shot of steroids, I immediately realized that this was not what I stood for or anything that I wanted to continue doing," Roberts told the Baltimore Sun. "I will never try and diminish what happened, ever. I know I made a wrong choice, but I basically wanted to make sure people knew the truth and they can make their own decisions from there.

"I never used steroids, human growth hormone or any other performance-enhancing drugs prior to or since that single incident. I can honestly say before God, myself, my family and all of my fans that steroids or any performance-enhancing drugs have never had any effect on what I have worked so hard to accomplish in the game of baseball. I am very sorry and I deeply regret ever making that terrible decision.

"My only hope and prayer is that the Orioles, my family, friends and fans that have supported me so faithfully will forgive me."

Roberts, who hit what was then a career-high five home runs in 2003 -- he hit just four homers in 2004 but had 18 in 2005 -- and Jay Gibbons were the only two current Orioles on the list of more than 80. Shortstop Miguel Tejada was traded to Houston the day before the report was made public, and 16 other former Orioles were also named.

As of Dec. 20, the club had not commented on what might happen to Roberts or Gibbons, who was already suspended for the first 15 days of the 2008 season for having purchased human growth hormone.


NOTES, QUOTES
2B Brian Roberts has been asked by Maryland Congressman Elijah E. Cummings to join the "Powered by ME!" organization that warns youngsters about the dangers of performance-enhancing substances. Cummings feels that is a way for Roberts to change a negative to a positive after the infielder admitted a one-time use of steroids.

--SS Luis Hernandez has little major league experience but is considered by manager Dave Trembley as having the best chance to replace the traded Miguel Tejada as the everyday shortstop in 2008.

--3B Melvin Mora will not be moved to the outfield simply to create added playing time for Scott Moore, who was acquired late in 2007 from the Cubs, but the youngster will get opportunities to get into the lineup.

--OF Luke Scott, who came to the Orioles as part of the deal with the Astros for Miguel Tejada, will get a long look in spring training and could be the starting left fielder come the 2008 season.

--LHP Troy Patton may prove to be the key player in the deal that send Miguel Tejada to the Astros. According to manager Dave Trembley, Patton has the best chance to become a part of the starting rotation even though he has only two major league starts.


BY THE NUMBERS: 1 -- Time Brian Roberts said he injected himself with a performance-enhancing substance during the 2003 season.


QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think people are going to believe whatever they want to believe. One of the other reasons I made this statement is if I'm going to have people judging me or people are going to make accusations, then I wanted them to have the facts. Then they can treat me however they feel is necessary." -- 2B Brian Roberts, on how fans might react to his admission of using steroids.