SI reporters have been following an investigation of an illegal steroid network and it's implicating effects on some high profile pro athletes. One of the names known at the moment to be involved is that of Gary Matthews Jr., who it's believed was sent HGH in 2004.
SI reports in August 2004, Matthews was sent "Genotropin -- a brand of synthetic human growth hormone typically prescribed to children suffering from growth failure -- at an address in Mansfield, Texas. We traced the address and it is the residence of a former minor league teammate of Matthews', who told us that he is friends with Matthews."
"Matthews received the prescription through a doctor at Health Watch, a now-defunct anti-aging clinic in south Florida. According to the report, the drugs came from Applied Pharmacy services, a compound pharmacy in Mobile, Ala., which was raided last fall by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). This shadowy nexis between anti-aging centers and compound pharmacies is at the heart of this multi-agency investigation."
"According to MLB spokesman Pat Courtney, HGH was not on the banned substance list in 2004, as the 2002 collective bargaining agreement was still in place. HGH was added as a banned substance for the 2005 season, Courtney says. Remember, too, that these are only allegations right now and that the document is only alleging that a shipment of growth hormone was sent in Matthews' name. Whether or not he actually took the drug is not part of this investigation."
Very interesting. I wonder who else will be implicate in this investigation.