Piazza denied steroids use in new book

Former All-Star catcher Mike Piazza denied using steroids in a new book that is being released next week.

Excerpts from Piazza's book, "Long Shot," were obtained by the New York Times.

"It shouldn't be assumed that every big hitter of the generation used steroids," Piazza wrote. "I didn't."

Piazza did admit to taking androstenedione until controversy stemmed from Mark McGwire's use of it and baseball later banned it.

He also wrote that he used amphetamines a few times until they were banned in 2006.

While with the New York Mets, Piazza looked into human growth hormone but decided not to use it after former team trainer Fred Hina told him it was not a good idea.

Piazza recently said that he delayed release of the book until after the Hall of Fame voting because he did not want to appear like he was campaigning for induction. He got 57.8 percent of the vote. At least 75 percent is required. The voting was announced Jan. 9.

"I won't deny there is some disappointment, but I understand it's a process," he said. "All things considered, I got over 50 percent, and a lot of people were very supportive. I mean, there's what, almost 600 voters? That's a lot. I'm on my homeowners board. I know how hard it is to get six people on the same page, let alone 600."

Piazza, a 12-time All-Star, batted .308 and had a career .922 OPS in 16 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, Mets, San Diego Padres and Oakland A's. He has the all-time record for home runs hit by a catcher.