WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Tim Laker never made much of a name for himself as a catcher who spent the majority of his professional career in the minor leagues.
Now he’s national news in the most negative fashion where baseball players are concerned these days.
Laker, a veteran of 11 professional seasons and a former Indian, was named in the Mitchell Report. He met with reporters Sunday at Chain of Lakes Park to discuss the subject for the first time, admitting to using steroids during his career.
“It was a decision I made a long time ago, something I regret,” said the 38-year-old Laker, who retired in 2006 and managed Mahoning Valley, Cleveland’s Single-A affiliate, last year. “When you’re 25 and you have everything in front of you, you’re short-sighted. I probably didn’t think of the ramifications 12 or 13 years down the road.”
According to the Mitchell Report, former Indians first baseman David Segui introduced Laker, then a teammate of Segui’s in Montreal, to former Mets clubhouse assistant Kirk Radomski. Radomski and former Yankees clubhouse assistant Brian McNamee provided the majority of the information for the report.
The report states that Laker, who played for five organizations, including Cleveland in 2001, 2003-04 and 2006, began taking steroids in 1995 — Deca-Durabolin and testosterone — purchasing the banned substances from Radomski and using them until 2000.
Laker verified all the information in the report, claiming he provided the majority of it when he was forced to meet with former Sen. George Mitchell last year as an employee of a Major League Baseball team. Citing legal reasons, Laker said he most likely would not have provided testimony had he not been obligated.
“I still didn’t have to say anything, but I wanted to be honest,” Laker said.
In a similar case to Cleveland pitcher Paul Byrd, who has admitted taking HGH for a medical condition, Laker said a physical ailment played a part in him using steroids.
Laker claims he was diagnosed in 1992 with colitis, a digestive disease with symptoms that include rapid weight loss.
“That kind of led me to make the decision,” he said. “I’ve always struggled with keeping weight. Do I think that’s an excuse or justified? Absolutely not. Anything I say is going to sound like an excuse, and I’m not here to make excuses. I did it.”
Laker’s past doesn’t seem to be a problem for the Indians. Though he was replaced by Travis Fryman at Mahoning Valley, Laker is still employed as a roving minor league instructor. He said it was his decision to step down as the Scrappers’ manager.
“I feel strong about Tim Laker,” said Cleveland manager Eric Wedge, who managed Laker at Triple-A Buffalo. “I can only speak of his character, which is undisputable. We’re proud to have him in the organization.”
Laker, who was likable and approachable during his playing career, wants people to forgive and forget. He’d also like to continue his life in baseball, possibly managing again.  
“When I made that decision (to use steroids), I was a 25-year-old kid,” he said. “I’m not the same person. I think I’ve done enough in my years in the game and made a positive enough impression. I apologize for what I did. All you can do is ask for forgiveness and try to move on. That’s what I’m hoping to do.
“I’ve been in baseball 18 years. It’s all I know. I’d like to be in it for 20 more years.”
Taking steroids may have helped Laker add weight, but he claims it didn’t assist him at or behind the plate, something that, according to the Mitchell Report, he had hoped to accomplish.
“Look at my stats,” said the career .226 hitter, who recorded just 11 home runs in the big leagues. “It wasn’t like I had an illustrious career.”
Limiting his comments to his own situation, Laker did not provide any insight into the culture of the game while he was using steroids, or the number of players involved.
“I don’t think I’m in a position to give my thoughts on others,” he said.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.

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