Mo Vaughn admits HGH use

[InstaFace]

He says he took HGH in 2001 (it wasn't banned until 2005) to rehab his knee, confirming some of the details in the Mitchell report:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6188748/2025/03/10/mo-vaughn-hgh-mitchell-report?source=user-shared-article

 

[Yo La Tengo]

I was more shocked by learning that Mo used a 36" 36 ounce bat!?!?!

 

[strek1]

I was more shocked by learning that Mo used a 36" 36 ounce bat!?!?!

Yeah I'm pretty big and I wouldn't use that in a softball game let along trying to get around on an MLB fastball!

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

Too bad the HGH didn't work out, he was a fun player to watch.

 

[Van Everyman]

PEDs or not, I kind of love that this dude completely stole an MVP because Albert Belle was such an asshole.

 

[SirPsychoSquints]

PEDs or not, I kind of love that this dude completely stole an MVP because Albert Belle was such an asshole.

You see, without Albert Belle, Cleveland still would've won the division since they ran away with it. Without Mo, the Yankees might have caught the Red Sox! It says "Most Valuable," not "Most Home Runs!"

 

[tims4wins]

PEDs or not, I kind of love that this dude completely stole an MVP because Albert Belle was such an asshole.

It's ironic, but I had an interaction with him at Fenway once and he was awesome. I've told the story here before.

My favorite thing I procured was a batting practice ball from Albert Belle. He played for Chatham in 1986. I didn't see him play - I was 5. But one Sox game during BP he was shagging flies near the 3B line where my dad had season tickets. I told him I saw him play for Chatham in 1986, and asked him to toss me a ball. He said name two players from that team who are in the majors and I will. I had no idea but I told him I'd be right back. I ran back to my dad, who knows his stuff, but we could only figure out one of the two (I think maybe Scott Fletcher?). Anyway, eventually I told him I couldn't figure out the second, but that I had a story about him from that summer. In the Cape League, players stay with host families. We used to go to a lot of games and would meet a lot of those folks. One family had told us a story from a few years ago about Belle. The dad of the host family liked to get up for midnight snacks. So one night Belle put banana peels all over the kitchen floor as a prank. I relayed the story to Belle, who said something along the lines of "I have no idea how you know that but it is absolutely true". And then he tossed me a ball. True story.

 

[SirPsychoSquints]

It's ironic, but I had an interaction with him at Fenway once and he was awesome. I've told the story here before.

My favorite thing I procured was a batting practice ball from Albert Belle. He played for Chatham in 1986. I didn't see him play - I was 5. But one Sox game during BP he was shagging flies near the 3B line where my dad had season tickets. I told him I saw him play for Chatham in 1986, and asked him to toss me a ball. He said name two players from that team who are in the majors and I will. I had no idea but I told him I'd be right back. I ran back to my dad, who knows his stuff, but we could only figure out one of the two (I think maybe Scott Fletcher?). Anyway, eventually I told him I couldn't figure out the second, but that I had a story about him from that summer. In the Cape League, players stay with host families. We used to go to a lot of games and would meet a lot of those folks. One family had told us a story from a few years ago about Belle. The dad of the host family liked to get up for midnight snacks. So one night Belle put banana peels all over the kitchen floor as a prank. I relayed the story to Belle, who said something along the lines of "I have no idea how you know that but it is absolutely true". And then he tossed me a ball. True story.

Scott Coolbraugh, Darrin Fletcher, Tim McIntosh, Mark Petkovsek.

 

[Sad Sam Jones]

PEDs or not, I kind of love that this dude completely stole an MVP because Albert Belle was such an asshole.

Well, now I'm kind of glad Ted Williams got screwed over (I mean, not really... Joe DiMaggio was a piece of shit).

 

[Van Everyman]

It's ironic, but I had an interaction with him at Fenway once and he was awesome. I've told the story here before.

My favorite thing I procured was a batting practice ball from Albert Belle. He played for Chatham in 1986. I didn't see him play - I was 5. But one Sox game during BP he was shagging flies near the 3B line where my dad had season tickets. I told him I saw him play for Chatham in 1986, and asked him to toss me a ball. He said name two players from that team who are in the majors and I will. I had no idea but I told him I'd be right back. I ran back to my dad, who knows his stuff, but we could only figure out one of the two (I think maybe Scott Fletcher?). Anyway, eventually I told him I couldn't figure out the second, but that I had a story about him from that summer. In the Cape League, players stay with host families. We used to go to a lot of games and would meet a lot of those folks. One family had told us a story from a few years ago about Belle. The dad of the host family liked to get up for midnight snacks. So one night Belle put banana peels all over the kitchen floor as a prank. I relayed the story to Belle, who said something along the lines of "I have no idea how you know that but it is absolutely true". And then he tossed me a ball. True story.

Great story, thanks for sharing (again).

 

[DJnVa]

It's ironic, but I had an interaction with him at Fenway once and he was awesome. I've told the story here before.

My favorite thing I procured was a batting practice ball from Albert Belle. He played for Chatham in 1986. I didn't see him play - I was 5. But one Sox game during BP he was shagging flies near the 3B line where my dad had season tickets. I told him I saw him play for Chatham in 1986, and asked him to toss me a ball. He said name two players from that team who are in the majors and I will. I had no idea but I told him I'd be right back. I ran back to my dad, who knows his stuff, but we could only figure out one of the two (I think maybe Scott Fletcher?). Anyway, eventually I told him I couldn't figure out the second, but that I had a story about him from that summer. In the Cape League, players stay with host families. We used to go to a lot of games and would meet a lot of those folks. One family had told us a story from a few years ago about Belle. The dad of the host family liked to get up for midnight snacks. So one night Belle put banana peels all over the kitchen floor as a prank. I relayed the story to Belle, who said something along the lines of "I have no idea how you know that but it is absolutely true". And then he tossed me a ball. True story.

I have a Belle story.

Back in 1993, a group my buddies and I were at a few Indians games in Cleveland. Because we were college-aged assholes we chanted "Joey!" "Joey!" at him. As most remember he started going by Albert (his middle name) as a way to distance himself from some issues, including alcohol.

As I said, we were assholes. Anyway, some 12-year-old kid was roped into the chants with us. Late in the game, a Cleveland employee came over and asked if the 12-year-old would like to meet Mr. Belle in the clubhouse to understand why he decided to change his name. I guess he figured we were too far gone.

 

[Scott Cooper's Grand Slam]

I made my first trip to Fenway in 1996. My dad and I went into the players' parking lot after the game. Wil Cordero almost ran me over. I was wearing a Sox shirt and a Sox cap with 42 on them. Mo's mom approached me and asked if I was waiting for someone. When I said "Mo," she said "hang on, I'll be right back." She disappeared behind what I can only assume was a door to the clubhouse. She came out 10 minutes later. She said, "Mo's in the shower. Give me your address and I'll make sure you get his autograph." I gave her my address, and a few days after I got home I got a signed baseball with a note from Mo and Shirley. I'll always have a soft spot for them. Shirley for that kindness, and Mo for being the slugger during my formative years.

 

[BaseballJones]

PEDs or not, I kind of love that this dude completely stole an MVP because Albert Belle was such an asshole.

Yeah, but holy hell Albert "Joey" Belle could HIT.

You wanna talk about stealing the MVP...yikes.

1995 Vaughan: 4.3 bWAR, 98 r, 39 hr, 126 rbi, .300/.388/.575/.963, 144 ops+
1995 Belle: 7.0 bWAR, 121 r, 50 hr, 126 rbi, .317/.401/.690/1.091, 177 ops+

Now, Edgar Martinez was also way, way better than Mo that year: 7.0 bWAR, .356/.479/.628/1.017, 185 ops+

 

[SirPsychoSquints]

Yeah, but holy hell Albert "Joey" Belle could HIT.

You wanna talk about stealing the MVP...yikes.

1995 Vaughan: 4.3 bWAR, 98 r, 39 hr, 126 rbi, .300/.388/.575/.963, 144 ops+
1995 Belle: 7.0 bWAR, 121 r, 50 hr, 126 rbi, .317/.401/.690/1.091, 177 ops+

Now, Edgar Martinez was also way, way better than Mo that year: 7.0 bWAR, .356/.479/.628/1.017, 185 ops+

Yes, Edgar hit better than Belle but played almost exclusively DH while Belle played an average LF.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Yes, Edgar hit better than Belle but played almost exclusively DH while Belle played an average LF.

Which is why Belle was second in the MVP voting and Edgar was a relatively distant 3rd.

I'd argue that Edgar got on base better than Belle that year (.479 OBP to .401), not necessarily that he hit better. It's incredible that Belle became the first, and still only, player in history to hit 50 home runs and 50 doubles in one season. Of the 14 players who have recorded 100 extra base hits or more in one season, Belle did it by far in the fewest games (143, next fewest was 152). It really was an all time great season. Too bad he was such a prick to the media (and second basemen).

 

[SirPsychoSquints]

Which is why Belle was second in the MVP voting and Edgar was a relatively distant 3rd.

I'd argue that Edgar got on base better than Belle that year (.479 OBP to .401), not necessarily that he hit better. It's incredible that Belle became the first, and still only, player in history to hit 50 home runs and 50 doubles in one season. Of the 14 players who have recorded 100 extra base hits or more in one season, Belle did it by far in the fewest games (143, next fewest was 152). It really was an all time great season. Too bad he was such a prick to the media (and second basemen).

Edgar hit for a better average (by 39 points), walked a lot more (39 points of isolated patience), and hit for a lot less power (101 points of ISO). OBP is more valuable than SLG and batting average matters, which is why Edgar's OPS, OPS+, RBat, and any other attempt to quantify total hitting quality has Edgar higher. On top of that, Edgar had almost twice the RE24 and WPA and 2 wins ahead on Clutch, so one couldn't make that argument.
https://stathead.com/tiny/y47Lr

Belle had an all-time great slugging season. Of the 14 players who have recorded 100 extra base hits or more in one season, Belle had the lowest OBP:
https://stathead.com/tiny/y47Lr

Of the 25 players who have achieved a .350 ISO in a qualified season, Belle had the 2nd lowest OBP (ahead of 1997 McGwire). It's also the 6th lowest SLG. That's because his batting average was relatively low compared to those guys (8th lowest) and he had the 2nd fewest walks out of any of them (and the lowest walk rate, as only 1994 Bagwell is behind him). 50 HR and 50 2B is a very cool combo, but I'd rather have Gehrig's 18 triples with his 47 HR and 52 2B (1927), or Bonds's 73 HR and 32 2B in 70 fewer AB (because no one pitched to him, 2001). Compared to all time great hitting seasons, his average was low, he didn't walk a lot, and too many of his XBH didn't clear the fence.
https://stathead.com/tiny/Xj5P9

All of that is why his 177 OPS+ was only third in his league (behind Edgar & Frank Thomas) and is around the 213th best batting season of all time , as opposed to Edgar who was around 138th. That's 181st & 122nd if you limit it to 1900 and later, 168th & 108th if you then require 502 PA, and 96th & 57th if you then limit it to 1947 and later. Having one of the 100 best batting seasons since integration is extremely impressive! But Edgar was a better batter.

 

[RG33]

Edgar hit for a better average (by 39 points), walked a lot more (39 points of isolated patience), and hit for a lot less power (101 points of ISO). OBP is more valuable than SLG and batting average matters, which is why Edgar's OPS, OPS+, RBat, and any other attempt to quantify total hitting quality has Edgar higher. On top of that, Edgar had almost twice the RE24 and WPA and 2 wins ahead on Clutch, so one couldn't make that argument.
https://stathead.com/tiny/y47Lr

Belle had an all-time great slugging season. Of the 14 players who have recorded 100 extra base hits or more in one season, Belle had the lowest OBP:
https://stathead.com/tiny/y47Lr

Of the 25 players who have achieved a .350 ISO in a qualified season, Belle had the 2nd lowest OBP (ahead of 1997 McGwire). It's also the 6th lowest SLG. That's because his batting average was relatively low compared to those guys (8th lowest) and he had the 2nd fewest walks out of any of them (and the lowest walk rate, as only 1994 Bagwell is behind him). 50 HR and 50 2B is a very cool combo, but I'd rather have Gehrig's 18 triples with his 47 HR and 52 2B (1927), or Bonds's 73 HR and 32 2B in 70 fewer AB (because no one pitched to him, 2001). Compared to all time great hitting seasons, his average was low, he didn't walk a lot, and too many of his XBH didn't clear the fence.
https://stathead.com/tiny/Xj5P9

All of that is why his 177 OPS+ was only third in his league (behind Edgar & Frank Thomas) and is around the 213th best batting season of all time , as opposed to Edgar who was around 138th. That's 181st & 122nd if you limit it to 1900 and later, 168th & 108th if you then require 502 PA, and 96th & 57th if you then limit it to 1947 and later. Having one of the 100 best batting seasons since integration is extremely impressive! But Edgar was a better batter.

I’ve posted before, but Belle ranks #54 all-time in MLB history for OPS+ — the only players ahead of him who are not in the HofF are either steroids/banned guys (Bonds, McGwire, Manny, Shoeless Joe), active/ineligible players (Shohei, Trout, Judge, Pujols), and 5 players from the 19th and early 20th century (Dave Orr, Charlie Keller, Gavy McCrath, Charlie Jones, and Benny Knauff).

The dude could MASH.

 

[CodPiece XL]

It's ironic, but I had an interaction with him at Fenway once and he was awesome. I've told the story here before.

My favorite thing I procured was a batting practice ball from Albert Belle. He played for Chatham in 1986. I didn't see him play - I was 5. But one Sox game during BP he was shagging flies near the 3B line where my dad had season tickets. I told him I saw him play for Chatham in 1986, and asked him to toss me a ball. He said name two players from that team who are in the majors and I will. I had no idea but I told him I'd be right back. I ran back to my dad, who knows his stuff, but we could only figure out one of the two (I think maybe Scott Fletcher?). Anyway, eventually I told him I couldn't figure out the second, but that I had a story about him from that summer. In the Cape League, players stay with host families. We used to go to a lot of games and would meet a lot of those folks. One family had told us a story from a few years ago about Belle. The dad of the host family liked to get up for midnight snacks. So one night Belle put banana peels all over the kitchen floor as a prank. I relayed the story to Belle, who said something along the lines of "I have no idea how you know that but it is absolutely true". And then he tossed me a ball. True story.

My only “ interaction” with him wasn’t exactly awesome but it still makes me laugh to this day. Back in the 90’s I knew a lot of the front office people so I was invited down to spring training. Turned up at the stadium in Ft Myers, met with Dan Duquette. He laid on the VIP charm and insisted my buddy and I get a grand tour of the stadium including the club house. We eventually got there and were greeted by security, the security guy said to our chaperone you know the rules, no access this close to a game. I think it may have been 2 hours. After a brief exchange security guy says well if Dan says it’s ok I suppose it’s ok. I kind of sauntered in turned a corner to be met with the sight of Mo squeezing into his baseball pants. He immediately looked up with a WTF type of expression. I quickly made a 180 and couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Boy, did he look pissed.