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Cleveland Pitcher Bought HGH

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 21, 2007 3:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – Paul Byrd, the pitcher who's been critical in the Cleveland Indians' successful playoff run this season, bought almost $25,000 worth of human growth hormone between 2002 and 2005, the San Francisco Chronicle learned today. Byrd admitted taking HGH, but told Fox Sports he was using it legally with a prescription. The Chronicle report, however, says two of Byrd’s prescriptions came from a dentist whose license was suspended in 2003 for fraud.

Byrd bought the HGH from a network of anti-aging clinics that authorities believe illegally distributed performance-enhancing drugs, often writing fraudulent prescriptions to do so. Byrd’s new book will detail his HGH use, which he says was prescribed for a brain condition, and which “scouts can testify” never enhanced his performance. Major League Baseball banned HGH in January, 2005.

Cleveland Indians pitcher Paul Byrd watches batting practice before Game 3 of the American League Championship baseball series against the Boston Red Sox Monday, Oct. 15, 2007, in Cleveland. Byrd allegedly purchased almost $25,000 in performance-enhancing drugs (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Cleveland Indians pitcher Paul Byrd watches batting practice before Game 3 of the American League Championship baseball series against the Boston Red Sox Monday, Oct. 15, 2007, in Cleveland. Byrd allegedly...   (Associated Press)
Cleveland Indians' Paul Byrd pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship baseball series in this Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007 file photo, in Cleveland. Byrd, whose win in Game 4 of the ALCS moved the Indians within one victory of...
Cleveland Indians' Paul Byrd pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship baseball series in this Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007 file photo, in Cleveland....   (Associated Press)
Cleveland Indians' Paul Byrd pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the second inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship baseball series Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, in Cleveland. Recently uncovered records show Byrd purchased almost $25,000 worth of Human Growth Hormone (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Cleveland Indians' Paul Byrd pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the second inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship baseball series Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, in Cleveland. Recently uncovered...   (Associated Press)
Cleveland Indians' Paul Byrd addresses the media after he pitched to a 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 4 of their American League Division Series baseball playoffs in New York, Monday, Oct. 8, 2007.  Recent reports say Byrd purchased almost $25,000 in Human Growth Hormone (AP...
Cleveland Indians' Paul Byrd addresses the media after he pitched to a 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 4 of their American League Division Series baseball playoffs in New York, Monday, Oct....   (Associated Press)
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Paul Byrd wipes his face after being pulled in the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game against the Seattle Mariners Sept. 27, 2007 at Safeco Field in Seattle. Byrd allegedly purchased almost $25,000 in performance-enhancing drugs. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Paul Byrd wipes his face after being pulled in the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game against the Seattle Mariners Sept. 27, 2007 at Safeco Field in Seattle. Byrd...   (Associated Press)
Cleveland Indians pitcher Paul Byrd waves to the fans as he leaves Game 4 of the American League Championship baseball series against the Boston Red Sox in the top of the sixth inning, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Cleveland Indians pitcher Paul Byrd waves to the fans as he leaves Game 4 of the American League Championship baseball series against the Boston Red Sox in the top of the sixth inning, Tuesday, Oct. 16,...   (Associated Press)
Cleveland Indians' Paul Byrd pitches to Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz in the first inning of  Game 4 of the American League Championship baseball series Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Indians' Paul Byrd pitches to Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz in the first inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship baseball series Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony...   (Associated Press)
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