Post by MizzouTiger on Feb 15, 2008 13:03:52 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/105/story/489232.html
Clemens testifies before Congress in baseball drug inquiry
By DAVID GOLDSTEIN and DAVE MONTGOMERY
The Star’s Washington correspondent
WASHINGTON | Known for his blazing fastball, baseball great Roger Clemens faced heat of a different kind Wednesday on Capitol Hill.
In a highly anticipated appearance, Clemens swore under oath that he had never in his 23-year career used performance-enhancing drugs. Seated a few feet from his chief accuser and former trainer, Brian McNamee, the likely Hall of Fame pitcher said, “Let me be clear. I did not.”
But the hearing turned contentious as McNamee refused to back down from the allegations he made last year to a blue-ribbon commission investigating steroid use in baseball. McNamee said he injected Clemens with drugs 16 to 21 times in 1998, 2000 and 2001.
“During the time I worked with Roger Clemens, I injected him on numerous occasions with steroids and human growth hormone,” McNamee said. “I am not proud of what I have done, and I am not proud to testify against a man I once admired.”
It was left to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to sort through the conflicting stories — a tall order because the testimony of both men was saddled with inconsistencies, members said.
“Someone is lying in spectacular fashion,” said Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia, the committee’s ranking Republican.
McNamee’s allegations against Clemens and other players first surfaced in the report from an investigation headed by former Sen. George Mitchell. The report, which has roiled baseball, linked more than 80 current and former players with illegal performance-enhancing drugs and has called for extensive reforms.
Baseball, despite its astronomical salaries and increasing competition from faster, harder-hitting sports, still holds a special place in American culture — a metaphor for the iconic values of honesty and fair play.
But Clemens, one of the game’s most illustrious figures, became yet another player to appear on Capitol Hill since the steroids scandal began, with his legacy now under a cloud.
Clemens’ record-setting career has included seven Cy Young Awards and pitching’s Triple Crown (best in wins, ERA and strikeouts) during 23 years. Well known for his grueling workouts, he remained adamant that he had come by his success honestly.
“I took no shortcuts,” Clemens, 45, told the committee. “Somebody’s trying to break my spirit in this room. They’re not going to break my spirit. I did it the right way, and I worked my butt off to do it.”
But often throughout Wednesday’s session, Clemens struggled to find the words as he denied new accounts of drug use made against him by former teammate and close friend Andy Pettitte. Using words like “mis-remembered” and mispronouncing McNamee’s name, Clemens rambled and stumbled at times.
After more than four hours, doubts still remained about the trustworthiness of both Clemens and McNamee. The committee chairman, Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman of California, said McNamee, a former New York City police officer, lied seven years ago during an investigation of a possible rape. Waxman also singled out Clemens.
“We have found conflicts and inconsistencies in Mr. Clemens’ account. During his deposition, he made statements that we know are untrue,” Waxman said.
But McNamee had also lied to federal investigators and withheld evidence about steroid use in the past. After ticking off several of those instances — “Is that a lie?” — and hearing McNamee confirm each one, Republican Rep. Dan Burton of Indiana tossed his hands in frustration and said, “Gee whiz! Are you kidding me?”
“This is really disgusting. You’re here as a sworn witness. You’re here to tell the truth,” Burton said. “I don’t know what to believe. I know one thing I don’t believe, and that’s you.”
McNamee’s case got a boost, however, from Pettitte and former player Chuck Knoblauch, who spent the 2002 season with the Kansas City Royals. In depositions to the committee, they confirmed McNamee’s accounts that he injected them with performance-enhancing drugs.
Both had been scheduled to testify at the hearing but were released.
“I have helped taint our national pastime,” McNamee said. “Make no mistake: When I told Senator Mitchell that I injected Roger Clemens with performance-enhancing drugs, I told the truth.”
Pettitte said in his deposition that Clemens, during a conversation in 1999 or 2000, told him that “he had taken human growth hormone. This conversation occurred at his gym in Memorial, Texas. He did not tell me where he got the HGH or from whom, but he did tell me that it helped the body recover.”
Pushed by Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland to account for Pettitte’s remarks, Clemens said, “Andy Pettitte is my friend. He was my friend before this. He will be my friend after this. I think Andy has mis-remembered our conversation.”
Pettitte also said in his deposition that in 2005, when Congress was preparing to investigate drug use in baseball, he asked Clemens what he would say if reporters asked him if he ever used performance-enhancing drugs.
“When he asked what I meant, I reminded him that he had told me he had used HGH,” Pettitte said. “Roger responded by telling me that I must have misunderstood him; he claimed that it was his wife, Debbie, who used HGH.”
She apparently did, but how it occurred was in dispute. McNamee said Clemens had asked him to inject his wife with human growth hormone; Clemens said it was his wife’s request.
Debbie Clemens sat behind her husband, clutching a yellow rose and occasionally scribbling notes. Her husband read a statement from her in which she said that she had read about the “benefits” of HGH and that taking it was a “harmless act on my part.”
For many, Clemens’ denials rang hollow.
“It’s hard to believe you, sir. I hate to say that,” Cummings told him. “You’re one of my heroes, but it’s hard to believe.”
It seemed clear nearly from the start of the session that the committee would not treat Clemens with kid gloves, despite the face-to-face sit-downs he did with representatives in recent days — sometimes posing for photos or signing autographs for staff members.
In fact, after Clemens interrupted Waxman at the hearing’s end, the chairman pounded the gavel and said: “Excuse me, but this is not your time to argue with me.”
Another point of contention was over Clemens’ alleged appearance at a lunch party at the Florida home of former player Jose Canseco during the 1998 baseball season. Both Canseco, who has admitted using performance-enhancing drugs, and Clemens played for Toronto at the time.
McNamee said that Clemens attended the party. But Clemens produced 10-year-old golf receipts and other evidence to bolster his statements that he did not.
Waxman provoked an outburst from Clemens’ attorneys by suggesting that the pitcher may have attempted to coach a witness when he invited a former nanny to his home to tell her the committee wanted to contact her.
“This is unfair,” said attorney Rusty Hardin, erupting from his seat behind his client.
The nanny, who was not named, told committee investigators by phone that Clemens, as well his wife and children, were at Canseco’s house but that she did not remember a party.
Waxman told Clemens that inviting the nanny to his house after not seeing her for seven years “sure raises the appearance of impropriety.” Clemens denied any effort to help her with testimony.
The hearing seemed to split the committee along party lines, with the Democrats reserving their most pointed queries for Clemens, and the Republicans giving McNamee a rougher time. Chris Shays, a Connecticut Republican, likened the hearing to a “Roman circus” featuring gladiators.
Afterward, it was difficult to pinpoint whether the case had been advanced and what would happen next. Ultimately, the matter may be referred to the Justice Department for a resolution — and, possibly, criminal charges.
Hardin said: “Whether anybody won is in the eye of the beholder.”
Clemens testifies before Congress in baseball drug inquiry
By DAVID GOLDSTEIN and DAVE MONTGOMERY
The Star’s Washington correspondent
WASHINGTON | Known for his blazing fastball, baseball great Roger Clemens faced heat of a different kind Wednesday on Capitol Hill.
In a highly anticipated appearance, Clemens swore under oath that he had never in his 23-year career used performance-enhancing drugs. Seated a few feet from his chief accuser and former trainer, Brian McNamee, the likely Hall of Fame pitcher said, “Let me be clear. I did not.”
But the hearing turned contentious as McNamee refused to back down from the allegations he made last year to a blue-ribbon commission investigating steroid use in baseball. McNamee said he injected Clemens with drugs 16 to 21 times in 1998, 2000 and 2001.
“During the time I worked with Roger Clemens, I injected him on numerous occasions with steroids and human growth hormone,” McNamee said. “I am not proud of what I have done, and I am not proud to testify against a man I once admired.”
It was left to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to sort through the conflicting stories — a tall order because the testimony of both men was saddled with inconsistencies, members said.
“Someone is lying in spectacular fashion,” said Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia, the committee’s ranking Republican.
McNamee’s allegations against Clemens and other players first surfaced in the report from an investigation headed by former Sen. George Mitchell. The report, which has roiled baseball, linked more than 80 current and former players with illegal performance-enhancing drugs and has called for extensive reforms.
Baseball, despite its astronomical salaries and increasing competition from faster, harder-hitting sports, still holds a special place in American culture — a metaphor for the iconic values of honesty and fair play.
But Clemens, one of the game’s most illustrious figures, became yet another player to appear on Capitol Hill since the steroids scandal began, with his legacy now under a cloud.
Clemens’ record-setting career has included seven Cy Young Awards and pitching’s Triple Crown (best in wins, ERA and strikeouts) during 23 years. Well known for his grueling workouts, he remained adamant that he had come by his success honestly.
“I took no shortcuts,” Clemens, 45, told the committee. “Somebody’s trying to break my spirit in this room. They’re not going to break my spirit. I did it the right way, and I worked my butt off to do it.”
But often throughout Wednesday’s session, Clemens struggled to find the words as he denied new accounts of drug use made against him by former teammate and close friend Andy Pettitte. Using words like “mis-remembered” and mispronouncing McNamee’s name, Clemens rambled and stumbled at times.
After more than four hours, doubts still remained about the trustworthiness of both Clemens and McNamee. The committee chairman, Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman of California, said McNamee, a former New York City police officer, lied seven years ago during an investigation of a possible rape. Waxman also singled out Clemens.
“We have found conflicts and inconsistencies in Mr. Clemens’ account. During his deposition, he made statements that we know are untrue,” Waxman said.
But McNamee had also lied to federal investigators and withheld evidence about steroid use in the past. After ticking off several of those instances — “Is that a lie?” — and hearing McNamee confirm each one, Republican Rep. Dan Burton of Indiana tossed his hands in frustration and said, “Gee whiz! Are you kidding me?”
“This is really disgusting. You’re here as a sworn witness. You’re here to tell the truth,” Burton said. “I don’t know what to believe. I know one thing I don’t believe, and that’s you.”
McNamee’s case got a boost, however, from Pettitte and former player Chuck Knoblauch, who spent the 2002 season with the Kansas City Royals. In depositions to the committee, they confirmed McNamee’s accounts that he injected them with performance-enhancing drugs.
Both had been scheduled to testify at the hearing but were released.
“I have helped taint our national pastime,” McNamee said. “Make no mistake: When I told Senator Mitchell that I injected Roger Clemens with performance-enhancing drugs, I told the truth.”
Pettitte said in his deposition that Clemens, during a conversation in 1999 or 2000, told him that “he had taken human growth hormone. This conversation occurred at his gym in Memorial, Texas. He did not tell me where he got the HGH or from whom, but he did tell me that it helped the body recover.”
Pushed by Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland to account for Pettitte’s remarks, Clemens said, “Andy Pettitte is my friend. He was my friend before this. He will be my friend after this. I think Andy has mis-remembered our conversation.”
Pettitte also said in his deposition that in 2005, when Congress was preparing to investigate drug use in baseball, he asked Clemens what he would say if reporters asked him if he ever used performance-enhancing drugs.
“When he asked what I meant, I reminded him that he had told me he had used HGH,” Pettitte said. “Roger responded by telling me that I must have misunderstood him; he claimed that it was his wife, Debbie, who used HGH.”
She apparently did, but how it occurred was in dispute. McNamee said Clemens had asked him to inject his wife with human growth hormone; Clemens said it was his wife’s request.
Debbie Clemens sat behind her husband, clutching a yellow rose and occasionally scribbling notes. Her husband read a statement from her in which she said that she had read about the “benefits” of HGH and that taking it was a “harmless act on my part.”
For many, Clemens’ denials rang hollow.
“It’s hard to believe you, sir. I hate to say that,” Cummings told him. “You’re one of my heroes, but it’s hard to believe.”
It seemed clear nearly from the start of the session that the committee would not treat Clemens with kid gloves, despite the face-to-face sit-downs he did with representatives in recent days — sometimes posing for photos or signing autographs for staff members.
In fact, after Clemens interrupted Waxman at the hearing’s end, the chairman pounded the gavel and said: “Excuse me, but this is not your time to argue with me.”
Another point of contention was over Clemens’ alleged appearance at a lunch party at the Florida home of former player Jose Canseco during the 1998 baseball season. Both Canseco, who has admitted using performance-enhancing drugs, and Clemens played for Toronto at the time.
McNamee said that Clemens attended the party. But Clemens produced 10-year-old golf receipts and other evidence to bolster his statements that he did not.
Waxman provoked an outburst from Clemens’ attorneys by suggesting that the pitcher may have attempted to coach a witness when he invited a former nanny to his home to tell her the committee wanted to contact her.
“This is unfair,” said attorney Rusty Hardin, erupting from his seat behind his client.
The nanny, who was not named, told committee investigators by phone that Clemens, as well his wife and children, were at Canseco’s house but that she did not remember a party.
Waxman told Clemens that inviting the nanny to his house after not seeing her for seven years “sure raises the appearance of impropriety.” Clemens denied any effort to help her with testimony.
The hearing seemed to split the committee along party lines, with the Democrats reserving their most pointed queries for Clemens, and the Republicans giving McNamee a rougher time. Chris Shays, a Connecticut Republican, likened the hearing to a “Roman circus” featuring gladiators.
Afterward, it was difficult to pinpoint whether the case had been advanced and what would happen next. Ultimately, the matter may be referred to the Justice Department for a resolution — and, possibly, criminal charges.
Hardin said: “Whether anybody won is in the eye of the beholder.”