Tim Laker: Regrets ... He's Got A Few

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- The Indians got good pitching in a 3-1 exhibition win over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. The most poignant news occured 20 minutes after the final pitch, when ex-Tribe catcher Tim Laker told the media how much he regrets using steroids a decade ago as a member of the Montreal Expos. It points out that not just superstars, but .226 career hitters used the illegal drugs.

"I regret that as many good things as baseball has given me and as many good things it has done for me, I regret that I have to sit here and talk about steroids instead of talking about baseball," a nervous and very contrite Laker said.

He explained how difficult it has been to look his 16-year-old stepson in the eye and explain it; how tough it is to see his wife and mother endure questions about it.

"I made a poor decision, a mistake," he said in a low voice. "And all I can do is ask for forgiveness and move on."

Laker, who served as manager of the Indians' Class A farm team at Mahoning Valley in 2007, said his appearance in the Mitchell Report in December had nothing to do with his not managing this year.

"That was my decision alone, to take time off, step away, and try to get healthy," he said.

Diagnosed with the intestinal disease colitis in 1992, Laker was hospitalized for a time this winter with a recurrence of the ailment.

He said he does not think steroid use had anything to do with this latest setback or his infected pancreas and liver in late 2001 that nearly cost him his life.

He also hopes that his involvement with steroids does not close the door on future employment in the game.

"I'd like to be in baseball 20 years from now," he said. "I enjoy teaching the younger players. Hopefully, they can learn from my experiences in all areas."

Laker said that his inability to maintain weight on his gangly frame early in his career led to thinking about using steroids to gain an edge. He said he was too uncomfortable to elaborate on the details and would not venture to say anything about anyone else using, either.

In his meeting with federal investigators, Laker said that his teammate with the Expos, David Segui, introduced him to Kirk Radomski, the former New York Mets clubhouse attendant who provided steroids to many big leaguers. He said it wasn't an easy decision at the time (1995) to try the drugs and it was equally difficult to tell the truth about it now.

"I was 25 years old, not that that's an excuse because there are no excuses," he said. "But when you're younger, you think about things differently. I probably didn't think about it enough and probably didn't think of the ramifications 12 years down the road."

Now a catching coordinator in the Indians' minor-league system, Laker was required to testify to the Mitchell's investigators as an employee of a Major League team. He said he never considered resigning from the Indians to avoid talking to investigators.

As for the game, which is what most fans, players and media members would prefer talking about, only a bases-loaded walk by Tribe minor-leaguer Chuck Lofgren in the ninth inning kept Cleveland from shutting out their AL Central rivals.

Jake Westbrook, who missed his exhibition opener start Thursday with a sore arm, did start and pitched a perfect first inning. He was so effective that he then went to the bullpen and threw some more to get to the 25-pitch limit that was prescribed before the game.

"My arm felt good," said Westbrook, who didn't throw any breaking pitches.

One Indians run scored on a sacrifice fly by Kelly Shoppach. Minor-leaguers Michael Aubrey (double) and Danny Sandoval (single) drove in the other runs.

Right-handers Scott Elarton and Jeff Harris each worked two scoreless innings. Edward Mujica, Brian Slocum and lefty Rich Rundles worked one scoreless inning apiece. After Lofgren yielded one hit, three walks and one run in two-thirds of an inning, J.D. Martin came on to get the last out for the save.

NOTABLE: Right-hander Fausto Carmona is scheduled to make his first spring start Monday at Dunedin against the Toronto Blue Jays. ... Minor-leaguers underwent physicals Sunday and will get into the full swing of training camp Monday. ... A crowd of 6,357 enjoyed perfect baseball weather (sunny, 78 degrees with a slight wind) for the game against the Tigers. Both clubs are enjoying increased attendance this spring for their meetings. The Tigers' camp in Lakeland is only about 20 minutes away and fans frequent both facilities to check out each of the two rivals expected to battle for the AL Central title.