Roberts admits steroid use

Dec 18, 2007 - 3:07 PM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts has admitted he used steroids "once" in 2003, according to a published report Tuesday.

Roberts broke his silence on the inclusion of his name in the Mitchell Report in an interview with the Baltimore Sun.

"In 2003, when I took one shot of steroids, I immediately realized that was not what I stood for or anything I wanted to continue doing," Roberts said. "I never used steroids, human growth hormone or any other performance-enhancing drugs prior to or since that single incident."

A two-time All-Star who has become the face of the Baltimore franchise, Roberts was among 19 current or former Orioles named in the Mitchell Report.

Roberts' inclusion in the Mitchell Report was a result of testimony by former Orioles teammate Larry Bigbie, who recalled to Mitchell investigators a conversation with Roberts in 2004 in which the second baseman allegedly admitted injecting himself with steroids "once or twice" in 2003.

The Mitchell Report also was the second time in which Roberts, 30, was implicated in baseball's steroid scandal.

The Los Angeles Times reported in September 2006 that former Orioles reliever Jason Grimsley named Roberts, along with outfielder Jay Gibbons and former Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, in a federal affidavit as steroid users. Tejada and Gibbons also were named in the Mitchell Report.

Just 5-9 and 175 pounds, Roberts hit a career-high 18 homers in 2005. He hit just 12 homers in his first four seasons.