Knoblauch's Throwing Problem Led to HGH

Remember when Chuck Knoblauch went from being a decent second baseman to endangering the health of fans sitting behind first base almost overnight? It turns out that it was that problem that led him to first try HGH.

In his deposition (PDF) given to Congressional investigators earlier this month, Knoblauch describes going down to the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa a month before spring training started in a failed effort to correct his mechanical problems. From page 13:

So when spring training started, I felt myself weak, vulnerable, you know, grabbing for -- trying to get something -- you know, just weak and vulnerable. And McNamee happened to approach me in spring training. And that's the first time I ever heard the three letters HGH or human growth hormone or anything.

Knoblauch received injections from Brian McNamee through parts of 2000 and continued taking the substance off and on through the end of his career, this time getting it from Jason Grimsley. He claims he never took steroids in conjunction with HGH (nor ever in his life), which makes sense considering his offensive numbers actually declined from 2000 until he retired.

Those throwing problems more or less led to the decline of Knoblauch's career -- he just didn't have the bat to play corner outfield -- and it's kind of sad reading about how Knoblauch is still confused why it all happened:

I still do not know to this day if it was physical or -- I mean, my arm physically I think was okay. There was no injury, you know. But it hurt all the time. And mentally -- I really -- it's a mystery to me to this day. I don't think about it that much anymore because I'm not playing baseball, and it's great. But I really have no answer for that. I still don't. I don't think anybody does. It's unfortunate.

It seems obvious that Knoblauch isn't happy about the way his career ended, especially with his comment about how great it is he no longer has to think about how/why it all went downhill. And considering how reluctant he was to return to the public eye, I'd be surprised if we hear his name again anytime soon.