OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Jack Cust, coming off a breakout season with Oakland, denied allegations in the Mitchell Report that he admitted using steroids.
A longtime journeyman who had spent most of his career in the minors, Cust hit a team-best 26 homers for the Athletics in 2007. Last month, he was included in former Senate majority leader George Mitchell’s report on doping in baseball.
According to the report, minor league teammate Larry Bigbie said Cust once admitted using steroids. Bigbie said his locker was next to Cust’s when they played in Baltimore’s farm system and Cust had offered to get the drugs for him.
Cust addressed the report’s allegations with reporters for the first time at the A’s FanFest on Saturday, and denied that he ever used steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.
“(Bigbie) may have misinterpreted something I said, but honestly I don’t remember a conversation that took place about that,” Cust said. “I don’t remember a lot of things from five years ago, but he may have misinterpreted something I said at some point.”
Acting on the advice of the players’ union, Cust said he refused to speak with Mitchell’s investigators.
“I had nothing to hide. But they advised me not to talk, because then they try to get something on other guys you’ve played with,” Cust said.
Cust was acquired from the San Diego Padres on May 3.
Oakland general manager Billy Beane said he talked to Cust about the report and was satisfied with Cust’s response.
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