Paul Lo Duca isn’t accused of using use performance-enhancing drugs as a Met, but the Mitchell Report does connect his use to the team.
According to the report, released with much fanfare today, former Met Todd Hundley introduced Lo Duca, then with the Dodgers, to former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski.
In fact, Lo Duca’s use of steroids was mentioned by the Dodgers in an internal report of October 2003. He was traded to the Marlins in July 2004, then to the Mets in December 2005.
“Got off the steroids … Took away a lot of hard line drives … Can get comparable value back would consider trading,” the report says the Dodgers wrote.
Radomski estimated he engaged in six transactions involving performance-enhancing drugs with Lo Duca. The substances arrived by overnight mail, and Lo Duca paid with checks soon afterward.
The report shows three checks from Lo Duca to Radomski, (two dated June 26, 2004 and Aug. 7, 2004), each for $3,200, the cost of two kits of human growth hormone.
It also includes a handwritten note that reads: “Kirk, Sorry! But for some reason they sent the check back to me. I haven’t been able to call you back because my phone is TOAST! I have a new # it is [number listed]. Please leave your number again because I lost all of my phonebook with the other phone. Thanks, Paul.”
Another handwritten note, on Dodger Stadium stationery, read, “Thanks. Call me if you need anything. Paul.”
Lo Duca, who made his major league debut in 1998, spent parts of seven seasons with LA. He hit a career high 25 home runs in 2001, then never topped 10 again. Since 2005, he has hit 20 total.
Hundley played for the Mets from 1990-98, then with Lo Duca and the Dodgers in 1999-2000. Radomski, a prominent source of information in Mitchell’s report, worked for the Mets from 1985-95.
In 2002, Lo Duca told Sports Illustrated, “If you’re battling for a job, and the guy you’re battling with is using steroids, then maybe you say, ‘Hey, to compete, I need to use steroids because he’s using them … Don’t get me wrong, I don’t condone it. But it’s a very tough situation. It’s really all about survival for some guys.”
As almost every player named, Lo Duca declined to meet with Mitchell.
Lo Duca signed with the Nationals as a free agent this month after the Mets traded for catchers Johnny Estrada and Brian Schneider and re-signed Ramon Castro.