Ex-Toronto Blue Jay admits drug use

STOCKTON, Calif., April 11 (UPI) -- Ed Sprague, the third baseman who helped the Toronto Blue Jays win the 1993 World Series, has admitted using steroids and speed in his pro career.

In an interview with Recordnet.com in his hometown of Stockton, Calif., the 40-year-old said he used androstenedione, a performance enhancer made famous by Mark McGwire before it was banned in the United States in 2004, the Toronto Star reported.

He said he also used amphetamines and said he once used a corked bat, but was too scared of being caught to do it again.

"Am I the cleanest guy? No, but I tried to be as strong and as healthy as I could, as long as I could, for my career," Sprague said in the interview.

Sprague was not among players named in the recent Mitchell Report on steroid use in baseball.

He was the Jays' first-round pick in the 1988 draft and a shoulder injury ended his pro career in 2001.

Sprague is now a baseball coach at the University of the Pacific, where Athletic Director Lynn King told the Star by telephone no decision will be made on his status until a full review is conducted.