Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman denied Tuesday during an interview at spring training any past involvement in using performance-enhancing drugs.
Zimmerman was mentioned in the Al Jezeera documentary that aired in December and quoted pharmacist Charlie Sly as saying he supplied Delta-2, a pro-hormone drug barred by Major League Baseball. Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning also was named in the story.
Zimmerman and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard both filed defamation lawsuits against Al Jazeera after the story aired. Zimmerman hadn’t previously commented on the allegations before arriving at spring training in Viera, Fla.
Sly later recanted his statements about the athletes. Zimmerman was frank in defending his reputation.
“It’s really, really hard to win these suits, but I think it’s my responsibility not only to clear my name but if I do this and whether I win or lose on the defamation suit whatever it is, even if it gets to a trial, I sort of felt a responsibility because I am able to fight it that maybe if this stops this from happening to just one person after me, then it’s worth it,” Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman didn’t shy away from discussing the allegations.
“I don’t really think there’s much of a stronger … action for me to take than saying: ‘Here you go. Come look at me legally,’” Zimmerman said. “A lot of people have said certain things when they’re accused of these but have never taken these actions, so by taking these actions I’m basically letting them into all aspects of my life, unfortunately, that nobody should have access to but now they do.
“Whether that’s right or wrong, that’s for everyone else to decide. It’s one of those things where privacy is really not privacy anymore for me, and it’s unfortunate that I have to do that, but that’s the steps I’m willing to take to show people that I have nothing to hide.”
Zimmerman pointedly denied ever using PEDs or meeting Sly.
“I’ve never done any of that,” he said. “I’ve never thought about doing any of that. It’s a tough spot. You do everything the right way. You work. You think something like this will never happen, and then, for some reason, it does.
“We’re taking the right steps to ultimately clear my name, which is the most important part. Unfortunately, nowadays the public opinion is one of the things that matters the most. I trust that my teammates and the people that, I guess you can say, matter — not that some people don’t matter — the people who really know me, know the truth.”
Zimmerman, 31, batted .249 with 16 home runs and 73 RBIs in 95 games last season. He’s starting the eighth year of an 11-year, $135 million contract with the Nationals.