I’m Jim Parque, former major-league pitcher, and I took human growth hormone. I know that in admitting to this, I am a cheater, a villain and nothing more than a drug user in the eyes of the media and some fans. I cannot and will not ever speak for other players, as this is my story, my life and my career. The decisions I made are mine to deal with, and I take full responsibility for them. They are decisions I’m not proud of, decisions that haunt me to this day, but decisions you might have made if presented with the same circumstances and pressures. For those of you who would have made the right decision, you have my utmost respect, and we all could learn from your strength and integrity. But in making this admittance, I am opening up the real Jim Parque. I wasn’t paid for this story, nor am I looking to benefit from it. I live a simple life in Washington state — hunting, fishing, hacking away on the golf course and coaching kids. The days of pitching in front of 50,000 fans are long gone, but I am content being a husband and father to my two beautiful daughters. Through my story, I hope fans will understand the man behind the uniform, the regret I live with every day and the lesson kids can learn. …
