Admitting HGH Use in Response to Injury
Mo Vaughn has openly acknowledged his use of human growth hormone during the later stages of his career. Faced with a degenerative knee condition, he resorted to injecting HGH in his knee to alleviate the burden of his injuries. Vaughn explained, “I was trying to do everything I could. I knew I had a bad, degenerative knee. I was shooting HGH in my knee. Whatever I could do to help the process,” underscoring the lengths he went to continue competing at a high level.
Career Transition and Record-Breaking Contract
Vaughn’s career trajectory took a significant turn when he left the Boston Red Sox for the Los Angeles Angels in 1999. This move was highlighted by a groundbreaking six-year, $80 million contract that crowned him as baseball’s highest-paid player at the time. The transition, however, coincided with the beginning of a series of challenging injury setbacks that would ultimately shape his professional journey.
Injury Struggles and Impact on Performance
Vaughn’s time with the Angels was marred by severe injuries. On Opening Day, he suffered ankle and knee injuries after a fall in pursuit of a fly ball, signaling the start of recurring physical issues. Despite appearing in 161 games in one season, he missed an entire campaign due to his injuries. His brief comeback with the New York Mets in 2002 was also short-lived, as complications with his left knee forced him into an early retirement during the 2003 season.
Legacy and Career Achievements
Over a 12-year career spanning from 1991 to 2003, Vaughn established himself as one of baseball’s formidable first basemen. He maintained a career batting average of .305 and an OPS of .946, averaging 35 home runs, 111 RBIs per season, and registering 3.6 wins above replacement annually. Recognized as the American League MVP in 1995 and earning three All-Star selections, he concluded his career with 1,620 hits, 328 home runs, 1,064 RBIs, and a total impact measured at 27.1 WAR. His journey remains emblematic of both stellar performance and the harsh toll that injuries can exact on even the most talented athletes.