Andy Pettitte Goes Public Before Spring Training

Andy Pettitte repeated his apologies over and over again, saying he had embarrassed himself and set a terrible example.

This article from ESPN describes how Andy Pettitte's scared, timid nature made him repeatedly apologize for the HGH incident:

Whether he upset Roger Clemens is anyone's guess. They haven't spoken in more than a month, since Pettitte corroborated allegations of drug use against the seven-time Cy Young Award winner.

"Obviously it's put a strain, I think, on our friendship," Pettitte said Monday. "I love him like a brother."

On the day he reported to spring training with the New York Yankees, the pitcher faced reporters for the first time since the Mitchell report was released in December and revealed accusations Pettitte had used human growth hormone. He patiently spent 55½ minutes explaining what he had done and why he did it.

"I felt like I need to come out, be forward with this," Pettitte said. "Whatever circumstances or repercussions come with it, I'll take and I'll take like a man and I'll try to do my job."

Other athletes have ducked tough questions about allegations of drug use, using evasions and nonspecific replies. Pettitte admitted his mistakes and several times patiently asked reporters, "Did I answer your question?"

Wearing a dark polo shirt and jeans, and flanked by manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman, Pettitte had a hint of the shadow on his face that he's shown on the mound during so many postseason games. He seemed skittish at the start as he read from notes.

"I want to apologize to the New York Yankees' and to the Houston Astros' organizations and to their fans and to all my teammates and to all of baseball fans for the embarrassment I have caused them," he said. "I also want to tell anyone that is an Andy Pettitte fan I am sorry, especially any kids that might look up to me."

He said he was a "nervous wreck" and "scared to death" before the news conference, held under a tent behind the third-base side of Legends Field. He relaxed after a few minutes and went into far greater detail than most accused athletes have about their transgressions.

Off to his right, sitting in a row, were Yankees teammates Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada, friends for a decade who have shared numerous World Series titles.

"We've been through a lot of tough times in baseball. Why not support him?" Rivera said. "I consider Andy my friend. I'm glad I was there."

When it was over Jeter and Pettitte wrapped their arms around in each other in a hug.

"I know that once I have this press conference and talk to everybody about this and share everything with you, I think the truth will set you free," Pettitte said. "I think I'm going to be able to sleep a lot better at night once all this gets by."

Brian McNamee, the former personal trainer to Pettitte and Clemens, said in the Mitchell report that Pettitte used HGH in 2002 while with the Yankees. Two days after the report was released Dec. 13, Pettitte issued a statement through his agent confirming McNamee's account and saying that was the only time he used HGH.

In a deposition and an affidavit to a congressional committee two weeks ago, Pettitte said he injected himself with HGH for one day in 2004 while with the Astros after obtaining two syringes from his father.

"I am sorry for not telling the whole truth in my original statement," Pettitte said. "I never wanted to bring my dad into a situation like this. This was between me and him, and no one else. I testified about my dad in part because I felt in my heart I had to, but mainly because he urged me to tell the truth, even if it hurt him."

Pettitte said there were no other times he used performance-enhancing drugs.

"That's it. There are no other surprises out there," he said. "That's all there is and anything that would come up would be definitely false allegations."

McNamee said he injected Clemens with steroids and HGH at least 16 times from 1998-01, and all three were among those called before a congressional committee. Pettitte told Congress that Clemens had discussed nearly a decade ago using HGH. In addition, Pettitte testified McNamee, the former personal trainer for Clemens and Pettitte, had spoken in 2003 or 2004 about steroids use by Clemens.

Clemens claims Pettitte "misremembers."

"I'm just not going to go there," Pettitte said. "I've had to testify under oath. So has Roger. And, you know, I don't think that's anything I need to sit here and try to elaborate on with anyone else."

Pettitte said on the flight to Washington for his deposition, his wife handed him a Bible and told him to read Romans 13 for inspiration, a section that begins: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities."

He "prayed awfully hard" to be dropped from testifying at last Wednesday's hearing, not wanting to be caught between two friends. Pettitte was excused from testifying in public alongside Clemens and McNamee, and didn't watch the hearing.

Pettitte realizes he may have to testify again, either in Clemens' defamation suit against McNamee or if the Justice Department launches a criminal case against Clemens or McNamee.

"He can't put this behind him because of Roger's selfishness and inability to admit the facts," Richard Emery, one of McNamee's lawyers, said in a telephone interview. "Clemens is putting Andy in the middle of a meatgrinder again. He's doing to have to testify again in a deposition, probably this summer, and it's going to be far more extensive than anything Congress did. He is the key witness."

Joe Householder, Clemens' spokesman, declined comment.

Given permission to report four days after other pitchers on the team, Pettitte threw 35 pitches during a bullpen session at the minor league complex before the news conference. He acknowledged he had considered not playing because of the ongoing situation. Pettitte had agreed to return to the Yankees on Dec. 2, a few days before he learned McNamee had implicated him.

Pettitte plans to apologize to his teammates. He met with George Steinbrenner and the owner's sons, Hank and Hal, before facing reporters.

"I just wanted to tell them face to face that I'm sorry and apologize to him, you know, for the embarrassment that this has brought," Pettitte said. "He was a little stubborn in accepting my apology and said that he's behind me 100 percent, tried to tell me that I haven't brought any embarrassment to the organization. But I disagree with him a little on that."

The 35-year-old lefty with 201 regular-season wins and four World Series championship rings said he did not feel as if his accomplishments were tainted. He said he used HGH only because he felt pressure to pitch while injured because of his multimillion salary and thought HGH might help his elbow heal.

"I didn't do it to try to get an edge on anyone. I didn't do it to try to get stronger or faster or throw harder. I did it because I was that it might be able to help me," he said.

HGH wasn't banned by baseball until January 2005, so Pettitte does not appear to be at risk of a suspension. He said he would not have taken HGH had it been banned at the time.

"Was it stupid? Yeah, it was stupid. Was I desperate? Yeah, I was probably desperate," he said. "I wish I never would have done it, obviously, but I don't consider myself a cheater, no."

Roger Clemens Almost Struck Out Brian McNamee

Nannygate. Misremembered. Bloody pants. On Capitol Hill, today's "Roman circus" added to pop culture. But it also gave Roger Clemens and his legal team new headaches going forward.

By the end of the day, we still don't have any definitive answers. However, it is clear to me that Brian McNamee can't be trusted either. Both Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee aren't telling the truth.

The proceedings, which included newly disclosed evidence, raised further questions about the possibility of future criminal investigations and charges.

Problems For Clemens:

First, Clemens had no solid answer for the devastating testimony and written statement from Andy Pettitte. Not only did Pettitte corroborate McNamee's testimony about Pettitte's use of HGH, he also established a chronology on Clemens' statements about HGH that could lead to a perjury charge. Responding to Pettitte's assertion that Clemens told him he used HGH, Clemens insisted on several occasions during Wednesday's hearing that Pettitte had "misunderstood" him. He suggested that the subject of the Pettitte-Clemens conversation was the use of HGH by Clemens' wife. Clemens even tried to interrupt committee chairman Henry Waxman to repeat his claim at the end of the hearing, and Waxman gaveled him into angry silence. The problem for Clemens is that Debbie Clemens' alleged use of HGH came two years after Clemens' conversation with Pettitte. And, as Waxman explained, that means Clemens "made untrue statements in his deposition [sworn testimony to the committee last week]."

Now has anyone even for a second stopped to consider perhaps Andy Pettitte was wrong with the claims he made. I like how before they gave his testimonies, they built him up to sound like Mother Teresa. Even Mother Teresa lied. Pettitte is human like you and me and that makes him just as susceptible to lying. Pettitte has a weak character and when the Government came to him with questions he crawled into a hole like a defenseless, scared rabbit and told them everything that they wanted to hear. What kind of evidence is memory from 10 years ago?? Some people can't remember what they had for lunch. The courtroom made me sick in the way they praised Andy Pettitte. If he had walked in that day, the court would have bowed and worshiped him as he sat down and took off his halo. Do they not remember that he is an acknowledged cheater too?

Second, Clemens and his legal team blundered into the possibility of a charge of tampering with a witness. The potential charge could stem from their handling of a committee request for information about a woman who once served as a Clemens family nanny. (The committee staff requested the woman's contact information last week.) The committee wanted to ask her about a barbecue luncheon at Jose Canseco's house in Miami in June 1998, and whether Clemens attended the party. The protocol for producing a witness requires that a lawyer, or an investigator for the lawyer, contact a witness and send their information to the committee. Instead of following the protocol, Clemens called the former nanny personally and invited her to his home for a meeting on Sunday. We do not yet have the entire content of their conversation, but it is clear that he discussed the inquiry with her. Waxman was clearly angry that Clemens talked with the nanny before the committee's staff interviewed her and said, "At the very least, it has the appearance of impropriety."

McNamee was attacked viciously by a few Republican members of the committee and called a "liar" and "drug dealer," McNamee performed surprisingly well. He admitted that he had been less than truthful with federal agents and the Mitchell committee. He said he withheld some of his information -- and his box of syringes, vials and gauze pads -- in an effort to "downplay the use of these drugs" and protect players. But in the course of interviews with five groups of investigators, including Clemens' detectives, he gradually revealed the information he knew and the physical evidence that he had accumulated. McNamee's statements have been corroborated by Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch. Mitchell and his staff have endorsed his veracity on numerous occasions. It is unlikely that the committee will recommend charges against McNamee and equally unlikely that the FBI or the IRS will investigate him.

Andy Pettitte is the most important witness. Although the committee members clearly disagreed on the relative veracity of McNamee and Clemens, they all agreed that Pettitte is a man of integrity who responded to the committee's questions with truths that were painful to him. His testimony about his friend Clemens was a most painful act of integrity, both sides agreed. Both the Democrats and Republicans thought so highly of Pettitte and his cooperation that they granted his request to be excused from testifying at Wednesday's hearing. Excusing Pettitte might have been a mistake. If he had been present to tell his story of HGH and his conversations with Clemens, it could have been the most illuminating testimony in the hearing. It is of considerable benefit to Clemens that Pettitte, with his material highly damaging to Clemens, was not present to add to his problems. Any decision on the prosecution of Clemens will turn not on McNamee's credibility but on that of Andy Pettitte.

Why would McNamee claim to have injected Pettitte and Knoblauch with steroids (both of which have been confirmed to be true), but for some reason make up a story about injecting Clemens? That makes no sense and McNamee has no reason to lie. That's enough evidence for me to believe Clemens is lying.

Then again....

I didn't know McNamee was a former police officer. Why would a police officer, who is supposed to uphold the legal law, give players illegal steroids? What irony. That's like a fire truck catching on fire and shows McNamee can't be trusted.

So what happens now? Nothing is certain, but there might be additional investigations of Clemens' testimony and of the nanny situation. It could come from the committee or, more likely, from the team of federal agents who have been working on the BALCO investigation.

The Congressional Hearings Of Roger Clemens Vs Brian McNamee Thus Far

9:55 A.M.

Well, right now we are just moments away from the big show. The ESPN guys are speculating and filling in time until the congressional hearing begins.

Something new and interesting was revealed though. Andy Pettitte, in his statement yesterday, said he took HGH in 2004....and his father provided Pettitte with those steroids. Imagine that.

I agree with the statement that this is reality television at its finest.

10:11 A.M.

Chairman Henry Waxman, among many claims, made the statement that the sole purpose of this congressional hearing is to confirm the accuracy of the Mitchell Report (not to make Clemens look bad, which will probably happen). Roger Clemens promptly denied steroid use, despite his name being listed 82 times in the Mitchell Report. Therefore, the committee wants to be certain whether they made any mistakes in the report or not. McNamee and Clemens claim to be telling the truth, yet their accounts are completely different. There is nothing in between. After this hearing, there will be no more hearings on steroids in baseball or the Mitchell report, or so Waxman claims.

10:20 A.M.

I agree with ESPN's Jayson Stark's point. This is clearly a lopsided hearing in McNamee's favor. Within the first two minutes of his opening remarks, Rep. Henry Waxman called the Mitchell report "impressive and credible." That tells you exactly what Rep. Waxman believes, and, more importantly, whom he believes.

It's as if the committee has already made up their mind before this hearing started and they are only entertaining Clemens to keep him temporarily at bay. After all, the members of the committee are the ones who assigned George Mitchell to create his report, or so I believe.

10:36 A.M

Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee just swore to tell the truth UNDER OATH. Why do I point this out? Because this is the reason why one of the two men is going to be charged for perjury.

Also, Clemens' lawyers helped talk Waxman out of not canceling this hearing, saying it would be "unfair" to cancel the hearing without giving Roger a chance to testify publicly.

Clemens, in his opening statement, firmly DENIED using steroids or HGH.
McNamee, in his opening statement, CONFIRMED injecting Clemens, Pettitte, and Chuck Knoblauch with steroids and HGH. He also made an apology statement.
Rep. Waxman made it obvious somebody is going to be charged with perjury once this hearing concludes -- because "it's impossible to believe this was a simple misunderstanding. Someone isn't telling the truth."

Now stop right here.....Why would McNamee claim to have injected Pettitte and Knoblauch with steroids (both of which have been confirmed to be true), but for some reason make up a story about injecting Clemens? That makes no sense and McNamee has no reason to lie. That's enough evidence for me to believe Clemens is lying, unless he can prove me wrong in his later testimony.

10:51 A.M.

That was laughable. Clemens agreed Pettitte is a very reliable man based on numerous sources, but then Clemens said Pettitte was wrong about their conversation involving steroids. Clemens said Pettitte "misremembers" the conversation. Can you say "contradiction" on Clemens' part?
Don't you think that's odd? I mean, how can you forget a conversation like that. Well, one thing is sure....Pettitte's testimony really did come in handy and it's making Clemens look stupid. Even Pettitte's wife's testimonies are damaging Clemens' credibility.

11:11 A.M.

I don't understand the whole Clemens bleeding through the pants angle and buying bandages. Is that supposed to be a joke back in 2001 or some kind of evidence?
Rep. Davis reported that McNamee had testified that Mike Stanton once noticed that Clemens was bleeding through his dress pants -- which caused him to start carrying band aids around, presumably for his bleeding butt.
Prompting the following exchange: Rep. Davis: "Mr. Clemens, do you recall bleeding through your pants in 2001?" Clemens: "I do not." Yet, you can't just imagine this stuff.

Also, Jose Canseco claims in his statements that Clemens never went to his barbecue in 1998 and Clemens proved he was playing golf that day. However, I do not believe this is critical evidence in Clemens' steroid use.

11:20 A.M.

Very interesting how Clemens admits to taking B-12 and says McNamee injected him with B-12. McNamee, however, denied injecting Clemens with B-12.
Also, Clemens denied talking to McNamee about HGH 3 times in the early part of his deposition, but in his later deposition he talked to McNamee twice about HGH in regards to his wife getting the injections from McNamee. We have some credibility issues on Clemens' part here.
Make this clear...if you're going to lie, make sure you remember what you said.
Give Clemens some credit though....he's keeping his cool under the hot lights.

11:32 A.M.

Brian McNamee kept the needles he used to inject Clemens because he claimed to be Clemens' friend, but yet had deep mistrust for him. He also kept Chuck Knoblauch's needles too. He felt horrible about being in the position he was in and didn't give the needles to Mitchell immediately when he was making his report. Basically, McNamee admitted to lying on numerous occasions and the congressman actually stated he doesn't believe McNamee at all. This is actually a strong testimony to help Clemens.
Rep. Dan Burton was all over McNamee, wondering about a question many of us have asked: Why would he ever have held onto vials and syringes for five years that could implicate a friend? "He was my employer," McNamee answered.
Burton: "You do this to all your employers?"
McNamee stammered an answer about how he'd "done things before for other people and gotten hurt by it, so I might as well hold onto it."
Burton asked why he didn't give this evidence to the Mitchell investigators immediately. "Because I felt horrible being in the position I was in," McNamee said.
Burton: "You kept needles for five years ... and kept working for him ... and now you say you felt bad?"
McNamee: "No, sir."
Burton: "My goodness."
However, that congressman really annoyed me with his rant about how the law works and how McNamee is trying to breakdown Clemens' career. That wasn't the purpose of this current case and its looks like he just wanted to get that off his chest.

11:48 A.M.

Clemens' side effects from recovering from an injury, based on MRI results from a very reputable doctor and McNamee, was more likely caused by steroids, rather than B-12 shots. Clemens denied that these side effects were from steroid shots. However, no one can seem to remember Clemens' side effects, except McNamee. The congressman is firm in saying that Clemens had to have received a B-12 shot. Score one for Clemens?

Interesting, I didn't know McNamee was a former police officer. Why would a police officer, who is supposed to uphold the legal law, give players illegal steroids? What irony. That's like a fire truck catching on fire.

12:10 P.M.

A very good point was made. Nowhere in the Mitchell report does it say, regardless if Clemens' showed up at Canseco's house in 1998 or not, that they discussed or shared steroids. So, throw that whole Canseco argument out the window.

12:20 P.M.

Clemens claimed 6 times he had no idea Senator Mitchell wanted to talk to him when his report was released, but on 60 Minutes Clemens told Mike Wallace that he knew Mitchell wanted to talk, but his council advised him not to. I don't know how this helps, but I thought I'd mention it. I guess, if anything, this is an attempt to damage Clemens' credibility

12:45 P.M.

The most pointless 5 minutes belongs to Rep. John Mica. He spent his entire line of questioning trying to determine the color of the various injections these two guys claim were given.
For anyone interested, Winstrol is a "powdery white," while testosterone was "oily" and "honey-colored" and HGH, when added to water, was "clear." And Clemens testified that B-12 was "red or pink."

Whew, a 15 minute break. Well, if Clemens does go to jail, at least he'll go to heaven, according to a congress woman. So far, Clemens appears to be squirming more in his seat than McNamee.

Why Can't Roger Clemens Just Come Clean?

Well, we are just one day away from one of the biggest showdowns in sports history. This showdown won't take place on a field or court, but rather, in a courtroom between Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee. When all is said and done, though the end of this case most likely will not be on Wednesday, one man will look like a hero while the other will face jailtime and be remembered as a disgrace.

Andy Pettitte, who was originally supposed to show up to testify against Clemens, opted out of showing up. If this isn't further proof that Roger Clemens is guilty, I don't know what is. Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens are, or were, really good buddies. Clemens was Pettitte's hero growing up. My guess is Andy Pettitte knows Roger Clemens took some type of steroids (provided by the same provider, Brian McNamee) and can't face the guilt of ratting out one of his best friends and long time heroes

There is simply too much evidence against Roger Clemens coming from every source, person, and direction possible. Roger Clemens' good word alone may not be enough to convince anyone. How can a man of his age still be throwing as fast and powerful as he is? No pitcher of his age has ever done that. Who does he think he is, Jesus Christ?

I just wonder why Roger Clemens couldn't come clean from the start. Its not like he would have gotten in trouble. He retired - he can't be suspended or fined. It would have been one of those scenarios where people would have been like "Oh, he took steroids. Wow. Oh well" and carry on with the rest of their day. However, now, because he didn't come clean from the start, he looks ten times worse. Meanwhile, Brian McNamee has nothing to lose by lying. In fact, he is being glorified for admitting to what he has done.

Quote Of The Day! And More Physical Proof

Brian McNamee's attorneys presented two color photographs of needles, vials of testosterone and other evidence turned over to the government that they said Thursday will prove the former personal trainer injected the star pitcher with performance enhancers.

This quote comes from Earl Ward, one of McNamee's lawyers

"Roger Clemens has put himself in a position where his legacy as the greatest pitcher in baseball will depend less on his ERA and more on his DNA."

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner's repeated denials of McNamee's allegations in the Mitchell Report about drug use drew Congress' attention. Clemens spoke under oath to the committee Tuesday _ the first time he addressed the allegations under oath, and therefore the first time he put himself at legal risk if he were to make false statements.

Richard Emery, one of Brian McNamee's attorneys, hold up photos that were submitted as evidence Thursday.

There is a public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, when Clemens, McNamee and other witnesses, including New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte, are to testify.

Roger Clemens Tries His Luck On Capitol Hill

First, Andy Pettitte gave his private testimonies on Monday. Today, it was Roger Clemens' turn. Next, Brian McNamee will take part in a private session...all leading up to the big congressional hearing

Roger Clemens arrived to give private, sworn testimony Tuesday to congressional lawyers about whether he used performance-enhancing drugs, pausing briefly to look around the House hearing room where he is to testify next week.

Wearing a pinstriped gray suit instead of a pinstriped New York Yankees uniform, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner was accompanied by two attorneys.

Clemens declined to take questions from reporters on his way in, saying only, "Good morning," before heading into the offices of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Clemens was scheduled to give the deposition to committee lawyers behind closed doors one day after his former Yankees teammate and workout partner Andy Pettitte delivered sworn testimony for about 2½ hours.

Both pitchers' private interviews with staff members from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee are part of preparation for a Feb. 13 hearing. That public session is expected to focus on allegations made in the Mitchell report by his former trainer, Brian McNamee, that he injected Clemens more than a dozen times with performance-enhancing drugs

Roger Clemens, followed by one of his attorneys, Lanny Breuer, arrived Tuesday morning to give testimony in front of house committee lawyers.

Clemens, 45, ranks eighth in major league history with 354 career wins. He put off retirement yet again in 2007, returning to the Yankees in June and going 6-6 with a 4.18 ERA.

"Roger is not going to take the Fifth Amendment," one of Clemens' lawyers, Rusty Hardin, said in a statement e-mailed Monday by spokesman Joe Householder. "He is going to answer the committee's questions truthfully under oath."

McNamee is scheduled to appear Thursday. One of his lawyers, Earl Ward, said no decision had been made on whether he would submit to a deposition or transcribed interview. It is a crime to lie to Congress, regardless of whether a person is under oath, so the distinction between the two has more to do with the format of the questioning and the confidentiality of the transcript.

Andy Pettitte Tries His Luck On Capitol Hill

New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte talked for about 2½ hours Monday with lawyers from a congressional committee looking into drug use in baseball. Wearing a pinstriped gray suit and bright striped tie, Pettitte was accompanied by his wife and at least one lawyer.

His interview is part of preparation for a Feb. 13 public hearing expected to focus on Roger Clemens' denials of allegations about his use of performance enhancers made in the Mitchell report by former personal trainer Brian McNamee.

Clemens's lawyer told The New York Times that they expected Pettitte's statements would help, not hurt, his former teammate.

"We have nothing to fear about what Andy may testify to," Rusty Hardin, Clemens's lawyer in Houston, told the newspaper. "Everyone says Andy is honest; we have no reason to believe he will lie." Hardin added that when Clemens speaks to congressional investigators, he would strongly deny McNamee's claims that he injected the pitcher with steroids or HGH. "Let me be clear to all the doubters out there: Roger is not going to change his mind about testifying," Hardin told the newspaper. "He is not going to take the Fifth Amendment. There are no bombshells coming from our end. He is going to go in there and answer their questions truthfully under oath."

Pettitte lent credence to former Senate majority leader George Mitchell's findings by acknowledging he received two injections of human growth hormone from McNamee.

A former Yankees teammate of Pettitte and Clemens, Chuck Knoblauch, spoke to committee staff Friday. The day before, an employee of the sports agency that represents Clemens and Pettitte went to Capitol Hill to be interviewed.

McNamee said he injected Clemens with HGH and steroids in 1998, 2000 and 2001. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner has denied the allegations repeatedly and in various settings -- but not under oath.

McNamee also told Mitchell he injected Pettitte two to four times with HGH -- and two days after the report was released in December, Pettitte said he took HGH for two days to deal with an elbow injury in 2002.

The 35-year-old Pettitte, who won four World Series championships with the Yankees, returned to the team last season and went 15-9. This offseason, he put off retirement and agreed to a $16 million, one-year contract to play for the Yankees next season.

Time Is Running Out For The Johan Santana Trade

This From ESPN The Magazine:

Executives involved in the Johan Santana trade talks expect the Minnesota Twins to make their decision soon, perhaps as early as Tuesday, on what they intend to do with the left-handed superstar, after the team asked on Monday for last and best offers from teams involved in the trade talks.

Santana

The Twins could weigh the offers and decide to keep Santana into spring training, in the hope that a more aggressive market for the left-hander develops.

For instance: If Andy Pettitte's involvement in the Roger Clemens-Mitchell report case seems to be distracting the left-hander, Hank Steinbrenner -- who has been the most prominent member of the Yankees organization in favor of making a Santana trade -- could spur the team to give the Twins the package they have requested, which includes pitchers Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy. Or if the Red Sox suffered multiple pitching injuries, they might push for a Santana deal.

Or the Twins, who just signed Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer to extensions totaling $104 million, might prefer to turn the page and make a deal now. The Mets have the most obvious need for Santana and reason to be the most aggressive, and have indicated a willingness to offer a package of four or five players.

The Red Sox have talked in the past about deals built around either pitcher Jon Lester or center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Two sources involved in the discussions say the Red Sox have indicated they won't trade Lester, and another highly placed source says Lester remains on the table. A fourth says the Red Sox are willing to deal Lester only in a package with little window dressing -- in other words, Lester and Coco Crisp and little else.

It's unclear, as well, whether the Red Sox would be willing to offer Santana a deal close to the six-year, $150 million package he will seek in order to approve the trade. Santana has a full no-trade clause and will want an extension in order to approve the deal. The Twins offered him a four-year, $80 million deal, beyond the $13.25 million he is slated to make in 2008.

The Yankees appear to be not presently engaged whatsoever in the Santana talks.

A New Face Arises In The Roger Clemens Spiral

To update everyone on the Roger Clemens case, here is the latest from ESPN:

A meeting in 2004 between Roger Clemens' former trainer and a representative of the pitcher's agents could have implications in the back and forth claims about steroid use that came out of the Mitchell report, according to published reports.

Jim Murray, who is employed by Clemens' agents, met with the pitcher's former trainer Brian McNamee in 2004, near Clemens' New York apartment, according to McNamee's attorney Earl Ward. Ward said that at the time, McNamee was concerned that some steroids may be lingering in Clemens' system that could result in a positive test in Major League Baseball's first round of steroid testing.

"He did speak to Murray about his suspicions, his concerns that Major League Baseball had implemented testing and that Roger could have a problem," Ward told the New York Times after speaking with his client Friday night.

McNamee said Murray took detailed notes about the meeting. "Brian wanted to let them know Roger had some problems," Ward told the New York Daily News. "They discussed steroid use." Clemens has repeatedly and vigorously denied McNamee's claim that he injected Clemens with steroids 16 times in 1998, 2000 and 2001. Clemens has acknowledged he received injections from McNamee, but he said they were for vitamin B-12 and the painkiller lidocaine. During his press conference defending himself on Jan. 7, Clemens played a telephone conversation between himself and McNamee taped the previous Friday. On that tape includes a reference to Murray. "I told Jim Murray. I told Jim Murray. I told him. I told him. I sat down with him in Starbucks on the corner where you [Clemens] used to live, and I told him the guy's name," McNamee says on the tape, referring to the ex-trainer's source for procuring steroids.

The person McNamee was referring to was former New York Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski. On the tape, Clemens asked McNamee if he knew Radomski. "I asked you point blank," Clemens said. "I said, Do you know who this cat is when we were working? I said there's some rumblings about some guys with the Mets. Do you know who this guy is? You told me no." McNamee's response appears to validate his claim about the meeting with Murray. "I met with Jimmy in '04, and I told him. I said Jimmy, I just wanted to give you guys a heads-up because you better have some information. I'd rather you be prepared than unprepared," McNamee said. Ward also says McNamee contacted Murray shortly before the Mitchell report was released to warn him that both Clemens and Andy Pettitte would be mentioned by name in the report. Clemens and Pettitte have the same agents, Randy and Alan Hendricks. Ward also said that when Murray called McNamee back, he believes Murray taped the call, which could be used as evidence in both Clemens' lawsuit against McNamee as well as for the congressional hearing slated for Feb. 13.

Rusty Hardin, Clemens' attorney, told the New York Times on Friday that no one from Clemens' agents' agency mentioned the alleged conversation between McNamee and Murray in 2004. Hardin added that the Hendricks agency denied that either Hendricks brother ever received a message from McNamee on the topic. "McNamee never told Jimmy that Roger or Andy were in any way connected to steroids or human growth hormone," Hardin told The Times. The Feb. 13 hearing before Congress is expected to include Clemens, Pettitte, McNamee, Radomski and Chuck Knoblauch.

One Of The Most Ridiculous Statements I Ever Heard Was In Today's Congressional Hearing With George Mitchell

I'm watching the congressional hearing on steroids at this moment and heard one of the most ridiculous statements.

First of all, I was pleased that Congress acknowledged the fact that MLB officials knew about steroids through the past decades and let the usage of steroids slide. This confirms my theory on steroids as a conspiracy in baseball.

However, I am not one of the millions of fans (as the spokes person stated) who felt cheated, angered, or believed baseball was a fraud. Why not? Because up until Jose Canseco's book I WAS entertained by baseball. Even if the players were cheating, the public didn't have to know about it. Ignorance is bliss.

One of the congressional women stated something along the lines that if people like me were entertained by players who used steroids, then there is no difference between a baseball game and a Britney Spears concert...................What the hell is that supposed to mean? Was she serious? She couldn't have been. Maybe I misinterpreted her statement, but still, that statement does not fit anywhere in this argument and is one of the dumbest comparisons I ever heard. Baseball is baseball and music is music and I'll be entertained by both by whatever means necessary. IF I was a Britney Spears fan and found out she was taking steroids (for whatever reason I don't know)....I would still go to her concert to be entertained. I wouldn't like her any less nor would it take away from her music.

That comparison was so bad that the congressional woman who stated it has lost all credibility in my eyes and her whole speech became one big waste. In fact, I stopped watching after that.

Why not make drugs that aren't detectable. I'm sure with today's new technology and modern understanding of drugs and medicine that this task is completely possible. Face it, steroids are never going to go away. Instead of accusing them of cheating, just make the players take them at their own risk if they so choose to. Now shut up and be entertained like you were before this whole steroid controversy spiraled out of control.

Its ridiculous now how these same players who tried to entertain us by whatever means necessary are getting chewed and ripped apart by the media and the public. Baseball fans are turning their backs on the very players they loved when all they wanted to do was win the game for their fans. Shame on baseball fans.

And a lot of these baseball players used steroids as a therapeutic and quicker way to recover. There should be nothing wrong with that. I want to see my favorite baseball player back on the field as soon as possible just like other fans.

Remembers, sports is all about the fans and making money. If this steroid controversy is as big as it seems, I guarantee in the future fans will stop watching and going to games and revenues will drop. Home runs won't be hit as frequently and games will have boring scores of 3-2 and 1-0. Chicks love the long ball. Thanks, Jose Canseco and George Mitchell. You're in the process of ruining baseball.

Ah, what do I know? I'm just a baseball fan...

The Story Of Roger Clemens Just Gets Worse

In keeping up with Roger Clemens' case, here's an article from ESPN explaining what will happen next in the developing story:

Brian McNamee's attorney, Earl Ward, defended his client's asking for immunity to testify before Congress and suggested that if Roger Clemens were to contradict McNamee's testimony, the pitcher likely would be indicted for lying under oath.

"If [Clemens' attorney Rusty Hardin] allows his client to go before Congress and testify under oath, I don't think we'll be talking about Roger Clemens being inducted [into the Hall of Fame], I think we'll be talking about Roger Clemens being indicted," Ward told ESPN's Bob Ley on "Outside The Lines" in his first national television interview Sunday morning. Ward, who has drawn criticism from Hardin for asking for immunity, sounded as if he expected Congress to give McNamee immunity to testify at the Feb. 13 hearing. "I'd be very surprised if he doesn't get immunity," Ward said. "It makes no sense whatsoever. Congress wants to hear from this man." Clemens reportedly won't ask for immunity, but a source told ESPN's T.J. Quinn on Saturday night that Hardin is hedging over the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's request to depose Clemens under oath next week because it might interfere with his defamation lawsuit against McNamee. On Sunday, Hardin released a statement reiterating Clemens' willingness to testify before Congress in February. "I want to make very clear that there has been absolutely no change in Roger's willingness and indeed desire to testify under oath before Congress in a public hearing at a date of the Oversight Committee's choosing," Hardin said in the statement. "Any suggestion that he or we are having any second thoughts about that is absolutely false. All other pre-appearance issues and scheduling we will discuss privately with the committee and do not think it is appropriate to discuss those matters publicly."

The source also told Quinn that Hardin is making "noises" about not turning over a taped conversation between McNamee and two investigators for Hardin's office recorded Dec. 12, the day before the Mitchell report was released. A source told Quinn all the issues surrounding Clemens' potential testimony will be raised Monday when Hardin meets with committee staffers in Washington, D.C.

"He has no choice in the matter if he's subpoenaed," said Richard Emery, one of McNamee's lawyers. "It's just a question of whether the congressional investigators will be subpoena him. If they don't, they'd be crazy. The whole point is to investigate in advance of the hearing so it isn't a circus."Ward went on to explain that he is hoping for immunity to protect his client from possible steroid distribution charges. He also said that if he doesn't get it, he will sit down with McNamee to discuss possible courses of action. Ward was clear that his -- and McNamee's -- first choice would be to speak to Congress. "It's important for everyone to finally hear from Brian McNamee ... [on] his interactions with Roger Clemens," Ward said. As far as McNamee's credibility, Ward said Andy Pettitte's statement validating the Mitchell report findings that the Yankees pitcher was injected with HGH by McNamee proves his client's truthfulness. Ward, who said McNamee has been vetted by federal prosecutors as a witness, also indicated that he hoped former Yankees infielder Chuck Knoblauch would step forward to further corroborate McNamee's claims about Clemens.

McNamee's lawyers keep hinting there is additional evidence to back his account but won't go into details.

"We've always said there will be clear corroboration," Emery said. "Clear corroboration exists. And I won't say anything more."

Clemens and McNamee have been asked to testify Feb. 13 before Congress. Pettitte and Knoblauch also have been asked to testify, along with Kirk Radomski, the former New York Mets clubhouse attendant who pleaded guilty to distributing steroids to major league players. McNamee talked with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Parrella and IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky about the events that led up to his phone call last week with Clemens, a person familiar with the session told The Associated Press. McNamee has an agreement with prosecutors that no charges would be filed against him as long as he told the truth to them and Mitchell.

The Congressional Meeting of Clemens, Pettitte, and McNamee Has Been Postponed

The drama will have to pause for a bit before it continues to unravel. The congressional hearing involving Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and former trainer Brian McNamee was postponed Wednesday until Feb. 13 so lawmakers can gather evidence and coordinate their investigation with the Justice Department.

Plans are still in place for the Jan. 15 hearing before the same committee about the Mitchell report on baseball's Steroids Era. The witnesses that day are commissioner Bud Selig, union leader Donald Fehr and former Senate majority leader George Mitchell, the report's author.

At the end of last week, Congress asked seven-time Cy Young Award winner Clemens, teammate and friend Pettitte and their former trainer, McNamee, to testify under oath. Also invited were former Yankee Chuck Knoblauch, and Kirk Radomski, the former New York Mets clubhouse attendant who was one of the main sources of evidence for the Mitchell report.

Radomski pleaded guilty in April to federal felony charges of distributing steroids and laundering money, and he is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 8.

"The Justice Department told the committee it would be helpful if we waited until after Radomski is sentenced," the committee's minority staff director, David Marin, wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "This also gives us more time to delve into more recent developments, gather more information, and depose all witnesses before they testify in public."

Interesting. Why would this meeting be postponed so they can gather more evidence? Just like Barry Bonds, the evidence surrounding Roger Clemens is overwhelming....and not in his favor. Even America is losing faith in him. In a poll taken by ESPN, America voted that they believe McNamee over Clemens.

Roger Clemens Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Ex-Trainer Brian McNamee

Probably everyone by now has seen or at least heard about Roger Clemens' interview with Mike Wallace on 60 Minutes. What people may not know is that shortly before the interview was aired, Roger Clemens beat Brian McNamee to court, filing a defamation suit against the former trainer who claimed to have injected him with performance-enhancing drugs.

McNamee's attorney, Earl Ward, told ESPN's T.J. Quinn on Monday that McNamee is determined to file a counter lawsuit against Clemens. Ward said he spoke to McNamee on Monday morning and Clemens' statements in Sunday's "60 Minutes" interview are "a total lie."

No countersuit has been filed yet.

Clemens filed the suit Sunday night in Harris County District Court in Texas, listing 15 alleged statements McNamee made to the baseball drug investigator George Mitchell. Clemens claimed the statements were "untrue and defamatory."

"According to McNamee, he originally made his allegations to federal authorities after being threatened with criminal prosecution if he didn't implicate Clemens," according to the 14-page petition, obtained early Monday by The Associated Press.

The suit, first reported by the Houston Chronicle, states that when McNamee told others that when he first was interviewed by federal law enforcement last June, he denied Clemens had used steroids or human growth hormone. The suit quotes McNamee as saying he was pressured by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Parrella and IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky -- key members of the BALCO prosecution -- to implicate Clemens. The suit did not attribute where the quote from McNamee was obtained.

"After this exchange, and for the first time in his life, McNamee stated that he had injected Clemens with steroids in 1998, 2000 and 2001," the suit said. "Following his recantation, McNamee has relayed that he magically went from a 'target' in a federal criminal drug investigation to a mere 'witness,' so long as he continued to 'toe the line.' "

Richard Emery, one of McNamee's lawyers, said he would seek to remove the case to U.S. District Court in Houston, then to possibly shift it to federal court in Brooklyn.

"I think it's dismissible on its face. I think it's a press release for Clemens and his career," Emery said. "The case is shoddy at best. The prosecutors acted completely professionally in this case. This is a very odd thing for me to be saying, but it's the truth. Sometimes you are bound by the truth."

The suit said that when McNamee initially refused a request from federal authorities that he speak to Mitchell, he was threatened with prosecution. Clemens said McNamee decided only then to cooperate with Mitchell and the suit said McNamee said the interview "was conducted like a Cold War-era interrogation in which a federal agent merely read to the Mitchell investigators McNamee's previously obtained statement and then asked McNamee to confirm what he previously stated."

Clemens asked that damages be determined by a jury.

"Clemens' good reputation has been severely injured," the suit said. "McNamee's false allegations have also caused Clemens to suffer mental anguish, shame, public humiliation and embarrassment."

Ward believes Clemens filing the lawsuit is the pitcher's way of getting out of testifying at next week's congressional hearing about the Mitchell report.

"[The lawsuit is an] amateur and transparent attempt to try to avoid testifying before Congress," Ward told Quinn.

Clemens' attorney has said the lawsuit wouldn't keep him from potentially testifying before the hearing.

A fiery look in his eyes and stubble on his face, Clemens told CBS' Mike Wallace during the "60 Minutes" interview that he would have spoken with baseball drug investigator George Mitchell had he been aware of the extent of McNamee's accusations.

Ward told ESPN's Quinn that he has documentary proof that Clemens hired his attorneys before the Mitchell report came out. Ward claims that Clemens sent investigators to speak with McNamee to ask him what he told Mitchell. Ward says McNamee told those investigators everything he told Mitchell, thus contradicting Clemens' claim that he didn't know what information was going to come out in the Mitchell report.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner, who was scheduled to hold a late afternoon news conference Monday in Houston, sounded indignant and defiant in a segment of CBS's "60 Minutes" broadcast Sunday night, his first interview since McNamee accused him. The pair are approaching a potential confrontation if the pair testify under oath at a Jan. 16 hearing on Capitol Hill.

he most prominent player implicated in last month's Mitchell report, Clemens steadfastly maintained his innocence and called McNamee's allegations "totally false."

"If he's doing that to me, I should have a third ear coming out of my forehead. I should be pulling tractors with my teeth," said Clemens, who wore a lavender button-down shirt during the interview, taped Dec. 28 at his home in Katy, Texas.

On Friday, when the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform invited Clemens and McNamee to testify, the pair spoke by telephone, an individual close to the situation said, speaking on condition of anonymity because public comments weren't authorized. The conversation first was reported Sunday by Newsday.

The individual would not say what was discussed.

Clemens' lawyer, Rusty Hardin, told the Chronicle that it was McNamee who arranged to talk to Clemens on Friday but instead of getting back to Clemens the conversation was leaked "with spin" to Newsday.

"We kept thinking McNamee might change his mind and come to his senses and admit he was lying," Hardin told the Chronicle.

During the "60 Minutes" segment, Clemens said he might be willing to take a lie-detector test and was "shocked" close friend Andy Pettitte used HGH. He said -- again -- that he probably will retire.

"I thought it was an impassioned, disingenuous and desperate plea," said Ward.

One of the few revelations in the much-hyped interview came when Clemens was asked whether he conceivably would take a lie detector test.

"Yeah," he answered. "I don't know if they're good or bad."

After Monday's news conference will come the congressional hearing. Pettitte, former Yankees teammate Chuck Knoblauch and former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski, who allegedly supplied McNamee with performance-enhancing drugs, also were asked to appear before the committee.

Lawyers for Clemens and McNamee have said their clients are willing to testify but Hardin wouldn't commit to the date.

Emery said he wanted to hear testimony from Clemens.

"If Congress calls him, he pretty much has to take the Fifth, and if he takes the Fifth, nobody will ever believe him again and all this effort has gone down the drain," Emery said. "And if he doesn't take the Fifth, it's very hard to imagine that a prosecutor isn't going to pursue this. So I think he's put himself in a terrible corner."

Clemens said his lawyer advised him not to speak with Mitchell, who spent 20 months on his investigation.

"If I would've known what this man, what Brian McNamee [had] said in this report, I would have been down there in a heartbeat to take care of it," Clemens said.

Only two active players, Jason Giambi and Frank Thomas, spoke with Mitchell, a Boston Red Sox director and a former Senate majority leader.

In excerpts of the CBS interview that were released Thursday, Clemens said McNamee injected him with vitamin B-12 and the painkiller lidocaine. In the full 14-minute broadcast, Clemens also said he was given an injection of toradol under the supervision of the New York Yankees.

McNamee told Mitchell he injected Clemens with steroids and HGH about 16 to 21 times during 1998, 2000 and 2001 -- before baseball players and owners agreed to ban performance-enhancing substances.

Eighth on the career list with 354 wins, the 45-year-old Clemens said he was angered McNamee's accusations have been accepted as truth by some.

"It's hogwash for people to even assume this," Clemens said. "Twenty-four, 25 years, Mike. You'd think I'd get an inch of respect. An inch."

Clemens said the descriptions McNamee gave Mitchell of injections "never happened."

"If I have these needles and these steroids and all these drugs, where did I get 'em?" he said. "Where is the person out there [who] gave 'em to me? Please, please come forward."

Roger Clemens' Interview On 60 Minutes

This article is from ESPN in regards to Roger Clemens' first interview since being accused of taking steroids:

Roger Clemens might be willing to take a lie-detector test, was "shocked" close friend Andy Pettitte used human growth hormone and, in his first interview since the Mitchell report, said -- again -- that he probably will retire.

Clemens told CBS's "60 Minutes" in the interview, which was to be broadcast Sunday night, that he would have spoken with baseball drug investigator George Mitchell had he been aware former trainer Brian McNamee accused him of using steroids and HGH.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner, the most prominent player implicated in last month's Mitchell report, steadfastly maintained his innocence and called McNamee's allegations "totally false."

In excerpts of the Dec. 28 interview that were released Thursday, Clemens said McNamee, his former personal trainer, injected him with vitamin B-12 and the painkiller lidocaine. In the full broadcast, Clemens also said he was given an injection of toradol under the supervision of the New York Yankees.

McNamee told Mitchell he injected Clemens with steroids and HGH about 16-to-21 times during 1998, 2000 and 2001 -- before baseball players and owners agreed to ban performance-enhancing substances.

"If he's doing that to me, I should have a third ear coming out of my forehead," Clemens said, according to a transcript released by CBS. "I should be pulling tractors with my teeth."

He said his lawyer advised him not to speak with Mitchell.

"If I would've known what this man, Brian McNamee had said in this report, I would have been down there in a heartbeat to take care of it," Clemens said.

I don't know if I can defend myself. I think people -- a lot of people have already made their decisions.

--Roger Clemens

Only two active players, Jason Giambi and Frank Thomas, spoke with Mitchell, a Boston Red Sox director and a former Senate majority leader.

On Friday, Clemens did speak with McNamee by telephone, an individual close to the situation said, speaking on condition of anonymity because public comments weren't authorized. The conversation first was reported Sunday by Newsday.

The individual would not say what was discussed between the two.

Clemens is scheduled to hold a news conference Monday in Houston, part of his campaign to clear his name. In addition, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has asked Clemens, Pettitte and McNamee to testify under oath at a Jan. 16 hearing.

Former Yankees teammate Chuck Knoblauch, McNamee and former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski, who allegedly supplied McNamee with performance-enhancing drugs, also have been asked to testify.

"I don't know if I can defend myself," Clemens said. "I think people -- a lot of people have already made their decisions."

One of the few revelations in the much-hyped interview came when Clemens was asked whether he could conceivably take a lie detector test.

"Yeah," he answered. "I don't know if they're good or bad."

Eighth on the career list with 354 wins, the 45-year-old Clemens told CBS's Mike Wallace he was angered McNamee's accusations have been accepted as truth by some.

"It's hogwash for people to even assume this," Clemens said. "Twenty-four, 25 years, Mike. You'd think I'd get an inch of respect. An inch."

Clemens said the descriptions McNamee gave Mitchell of injections "never happened." McNamee said Clemens asked him to inject him in the buttocks because Clemens did not like belly-button shots he presumably could inject himself.

"If I have these needles and these steroids and all these drugs, what, where did I get 'em?" he said. "Where is the person out there [who] gave 'em to me? Please, please come forward."

McNamee said he obtained the drugs from Radomski or Clemens supplied them.

"Why didn't I keep doing it if it was so good for me? Why didn't I break down? Why didn't my tendons turn to dust?" Clemens said.

Shortly before Mitchell's findings were released Dec. 13, Clemens said McNamee e-mailed him asking where Clemens bought fishing equipment in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, but never brought up the upcoming report.

McNamee told Mitchell he injected Pettitte with HGH in 2002. Pettitte issued a statement saying he took two HGH injections while rehabbing his elbow.

"I had no knowledge of what Andy was doing," Clemens said.

Asked why McNamee would tell the truth about Pettitte and lie about Clemens, Clemens said Pettitte's case was "totally separate."

"I was shocked to learn about Andy's situation," Clemens said. "Had no idea about it."

Clemens also discussed his use of Vioxx, an arthritis medication withdrawn from the market in 2004 because a clinical trial revealed increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

"I was eating Vioxx like it was Skittles," Clemens said. "And now that, now these people who are supposedly regulating it, tell me it's bad for my heart."

Clemens has said he was retired after each of the past four seasons but came back each time, spending three seasons with his hometown Houston Astros and then returning to the Yankees last year. He said "you'll never see me pitch again," but hedged slightly and said "probably."

Clemens wouldn't say what penalty should be assessed on an individual found to have used performance-enhancing drugs.

"I think it's a self-inflicted penalty. They break down quick. It's a quick fix," he said. "They're in and out of the game."

Could Roger Clemens And Andy Pettitte Go To Jail?

In no way do I want either of these guys ending up in the slammer. They've contributed too much to baseball and unlike Barry Bonds, these guys aren't rude, cocky, or hated by the media and the public. However, they are following the exact trail as Bonds, which may lead them to prison.

Why might they go to jail? Because Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte were asked Friday to testify before a congressional committee on Jan. 16, along with their former trainer, Brian McNamee. Once you're in front of Congress, you have to tell the truth. That's what put Barry Bonds in the position he is now. He lied under oath. Will Clemens and Pettitte lie like Bonds did or will they come clean under extreme pressure? And even if they deny their accusations, are they still citing the truth? What is the truth? Only time will tell.

Also invited to appear before the House Oversight Committee were former New York Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski, whose allegations were a central part of last month's Mitchell report on doping in baseball. Former All-Star second baseman Chuck Knoblauch also was asked to speak to the panel.

A day earlier, the committee is to hear testimony from baseball commissioner Bud Selig, union leader Donald Fehr and former Senate majority leader George Mitchell.

McNamee told Mitchell he had injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone during the 1998, 2000 and 2001 seasons. Clemens, in an interview to be broadcast by CBS's "60 Minutes" on Sunday, said McNamee injected him with vitamins and painkillers but not performance-enhancing drugs.

Pettitte admitted McNamee injected him with HGH twice while the pitcher was recovering from an injury.

The panel also convened a March 2005 hearing, when Mark McGwire refused to say whether he had used performance-enhancing drugs. Sammy Sosa said he had never knowingly used illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Rafael Palmeiro denied using drugs but tested positive later that year for a steroid.

Updated List Of Players On George Mitchell's List

Previously, I posted the list of players George Mitchell labeled as steroid users. I found this list through research on NBC, but as I said, that list wasn't official.

I had made comments about some of the players that came out on the previously incorrect list. This is the actual list that came officially from the Mitchell Report.

Lenny Dykstra, David Segui, Larry Bigbie, Brian Roberts, Jack Cust, Tim Laker, Josias Manzanillo, Todd Hundley, Mark Carreon, Hal Morris, Matt Franco, Rondell White, Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens, Chuck Knoblauch, Jason Grimsley, Gregg Zaun, David Justice, F.P. Santangelo, Glenallen Hill, Mo Vaughnm Denny Neagle, Ron Villone, Ryan Franklin, Chris Donnels, Todd Williams, Phil Hiatt, Todd Pratt, Kevin Young, Mike Lansing, Cody McKay, Kent Mercker, Adam Piatt, Miguel Tejada, Jason Christiansen, Mike Stanton, Stephen Randolph, Jerry Hairston, Paul Lo Duca, Adam Riggs, Bart Miadich, Fernando Vina, Kevin Brown Eric Gagne, Mike Bell, Matt Herges, Gary Bennett, Jim Parque, Brendan Donnelly, Chad Allen, Jeff Williams, Exavier "Nook" Logan, Howie Clark, Paxton Crawford, Ken Caminiti, Rafael Palmeiro, Luis Perez, Derrick Turnbow, Ricky Bones, Ricky Stone

The following players were cited under "Alleged Internet Purchases of Performance Enhancing Substances By Players in Major League Baseball."

Rick Ankiel, David Bell, Paul Byrd, Jose Canseco, Jay Gibbons, Troy Glaus, Jason Grimsley, Jose Guillen, Darren Holmes, Gary Matthews Jr., John Rocker, Scott Schoeneweis, Ismael Valdez, Matt Williams, Steve Woodard

The following players were linked through BALCO:

Benito Santiago, Gary Sheffield, Randy Velarde, Jason Giambi, Jeremy Giambi, Bobby Estalella, Barry Bonds, Marvin Benard

The List of Names In The George Mitchell Report

Here is the long awaited blacklist of the names provided by George Mitchell of those who have used steroids both past and present and both dead and alive. Please note that this isn't a final list. There may be other players not caught or unrevealed yet.

First, it is interesting to note that many of these players are either overweight or unusually large (Jason Giambi, Troy Glaus)
Second, it is interesting to note that many of these players have emotional issues (John Rocker, Kyle Farnsworth, Milton Bradley).


Aaron Boone, Rafael Bettancourt, Bret Boone, Milton Bradley, David Bell, Dante Bichette, Albert Belle, Paul Byrd, Wil Cordero, Ken Caminiti, Mike Cameron, Ramon Castro, Jose Canseco, Ozzie Canseco, Roger Clemens, Paxton Crawford, Wilson Delgado, Lenny Dykstra, Johnny Damon, Carl Everett, Kyle Farnsworth, Ryan Franklin, Troy Glaus, Rich Garces, Jason Grimsley, Juan Gonzalez, Eric Gagne, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Giambi, Jeremy Giambi, Jose Guillen, Jay Gibbons, Juan Gonzalez, Clay Hensley, Jerry Hairston, Felix Heredia, Jr., Darren Holmes, Wally Joyner, Darryl Kile, Matt Lawton, Raul Mondesi, Mark McGwire, Guillermo Mota, Robert Machado, Damian Moss, Abraham Nunez, Trot Nixon, Jose Offerman, Andy Pettitte, Mark Prior, Neifi Perez, Rafael Palmiero, Albert Pujols, Brian Roberts, Juan Rincon, John Rocker, Pudge Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Scott Schoenweiis, David Segui, Alex Sanchez, Gary Sheffield, Miguel Tejada, Julian Tavarez, Fernando Tatis, Maurice Vaughn, Jason Varitek, Ismael Valdez, Matt Williams, Kerry Wood, Brady Anderson, Manny Alexander, Rick Ankiel, Jeff Bagwell, Barry Bonds

Some Comments on Certain Players:

1. No wonder Aaron Boone, a man of little power, was able to hit that clinch home run to win the series against Boston years ago.

2. The rage Milton Bradley showed against that umpire stems down to the steroids toying with his mind.

3. Mike Cameron is another man of little power so I can see why he would take steroids.

4. We all know Jose Canseco was the tattle-tale of this whole mess.

5. Only a man of steroids could pitch at the age Roger Clemens was pitching at and make it look good.

6. Johnny Damon? Talk about random. I guess pure contact and speed wasn't enough for this little guy.

7. When I watched Kyle Farnsworth pitch on the Braves, he was scary. He would throw the ball in a wild rage. Now I know why.

8. No! Not Troy Glaus! He's my favorite player. Anyway, now I know why his contact in baseball games was rated 60 while his power was rated 95.

9. Eric Gagne is another prime example of a player who needed surgery and recovery time and figured steroids is the best way to aid himself in recovering faster.

10. Nomar Garciaparra was a guy who became a nobody once he left Boston so I'm guessing through steroids he could put home runs on the board and become a well-known player again.

11. Jason Giambi's enormous size and baby-face attitude speaks for himself. Also, he wanted his brother Jeremy to get in on the action.

12. I have no explanation as to why Jay Gibbons used steroids. That's just random.

13. Of course, we all know Mark McGwire's and Rafael Palmiero's story.

14. I feel bad for Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. Here are more examples of amazing pitchers plagued by injuries who thought steroids was the answer to recovery.

15. Andy Pettitte is one of the most controversial names on the list in my opinion. I think the Yankees may want to think twice before resigning in. I have no explanation as to why Andy Pettitte would take steroids, but I know many people who are Pettitte fans, especially one fan in particular. Let's see how loyal she is to him once she finds out he's a fake.

16. Oh wow. Albert Pujols is here. I gasp in disbelief. He was the best player in baseball. If he took steroids, no one can be trusted.

17. John Rocker's hate and racial speech stems from steroids.

18. I bet the Home Run Race between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire was really a race about who can consume the most steroids in one year.

19. Now I know where all of Gary Sheffield's enormous power and violent swing comes from.

20. Jeff Bagwell seems more like a fossil. He's been playing for years belting out home runs and loved by many. Too bad he was a fake all these years.

21. And of course, the grand daddy of them all, Barry Bonds. At least Barry Bonds doesn't have to feel alone anymore or feel like the whole world was out to get him.

It seems like every player in this generation of baseball who has done something noteworthy or good deserves to be under the cloud of suspicion. I have a great feeling that this will be the first of many lists. I also get the feeling (and I know this should raise a big debate) that steroids in baseball have existed for years and years, but the MLB didn't want to blow it open because kids love the long ball and the prices of attendance have continued to rise. In other words, I smell a conspiracy and until Jose Canseco tattled because of his jealousy, the MLB wanted to keep this a secret. Think about it. The number of all-stars, CY young winners, and MVPs included in this list is tremendous. You mean to tell me since the early 90s the MLB was not aware of what these players were doing? I highly doubt that. I also believe this is connected to the infamous baseball strike that occurred in the 90s. The MLB needed to gain fans back so they allowed players to artifically increase their strength in order to provide a better show. I don't think its a coincidence that right after the strike McGwire and Sosa were slamming home runs left and right. I believe the MLB and the union knew about the steroid issue, but wanted to keep a lid on it. Also, yes steroids are bad for kids, but none of the kids would have known that their favorite players were using steroids. Steroids actually saved baseball and this entire witch hunt has destroyed baseball. However, once the government got involved, they couldn't keep it a secret any longer because steroids are illegal and MLB can't change that law.

Roger Clemens And Andy Pettitte Are In George Mitchell's Report

A former New York Yankees strength trainer says information he provided to the George Mitchell investigation regarding supplying Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte with steroids is included in the Mitchell report scheduled to be released later today, a source close to the trainer told ESPN The Magazine's Shaun Assael.

Brian McNamee, who worked for the Yankees and as a personal trainer for Clemens and Pettitte, also told investigators that on at least one occasion, Clemens was in possession of steroids from another supplier, the source said.

The source, who was read portions of the report, said McNamee told investigators he supplied Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, with steroids while Clemens was with the Yankees, and prior to Clemens joining the team.

"After we read the report, we will have something to say," said Randy Hendricks, the agent for Clemens and Pettitte.

The Bergen (N.J.) Record, citing a baseball industry official, says "several" prominent Yankees will be named in the Mitchell report. The paper said the source spoke to a third party who had seen the final report.

"It's going to be a rough day in the Bronx," the paper quoted the source as saying.

Mitchell plans to release his report at 2 p.m. ET at a news conference in New York City. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig will hold his own news conference 2½ hours later.

MLB Drug Policy (Since 2002)

Steroids have been part of baseball's banned substance list since 1991, however testing for major league players did not begin until 2003.

The agreement with the MLBPA called for one random test per player per year with no punishments that first year. If more than 5 percent of players tested positive in 2003, tougher testing would be implemented with penalties ranging from counseling for a first offense to a max one-year suspension for a fifth violation. If less than 2.5 percent tested positive in two consecutive years, testing would be dropped.

In January 2005, MLB and the MLBPA announced a new drug policy, with year-round testing and suspensions ranging from 10 days for a first offense to the commissioner's discretion for a fifth offense.

In November of that same year, MLB and the union agreed to tougher testing, with a 50-game ban for a first offense to a lifetime ban for a third positive test.

Yr.	1st test	2nd	3rd	4th	5th
2002	Counseling	15 days	25 days	50 days	1 year
Jan. '05	10 days	30 days	60 days	1 year	Comm. decision
Nov. 2005	50 games	100 games	Lifetime ban

On Wednesday, Pettitte said "I've not heard a word from anyone" about Mitchell's investigation.

Miguel Tejada is mentioned in the Mitchell report, SI.com reported Thursday. Tejada was traded Wednesday from Baltimore to the Houston Astros. One other Oriole, Brian Roberts, is also mentioned by SI.com.

The Major League Baseball Players Association sent an e-mail to agents Thursday morning, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN.com's Amy K. Nelson. In it, it said: "We cannot confirm any of the press stories predicting what the report will say. We have not been given an advance copy of the report and we have not been informed of its contents. We requested from Senator Mitchell and the Commissioner's Office a copy of the report in advance, so that we'd have a meaningful opportunity to review it. They denied our request. We will be given the report at 1:00 PM, an hour before its public release, but only based on our pledge not to disclose its contents before 2:00 PM. The report is expected to exceed 400 pages, including appendices.

"Some have asked for our advice about public comment. As always, you are free to do as you wish, but we suggest that, for today at least, you decline general comment on the report and respond only on behalf of a particular player named in the report."

Selig told the Chicago Tribune that he hadn't seen the report, but he was proud it is coming out.

"People can say Bud was just trying to cover his butt or take care of his legacy or whatever," Selig said, according to the Tribune. "I say [bleep] it. This needed to be done, and now we've done it. I'm just happy it will be out there and we can move on. I'm proud of it."

Scott Boras, who represents a number of high-profile players including Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez, told The Los Angeles Times he hadn't read the report. He did, however, say he's wary because he believes "the concerns of due process and the standards that apply to it are relatively unknown. Certainly, any results that occur from the report have to be looked at in the light that this is not a collectively bargained effort."

"I'm going to assume that a lot of the basis for this is hearsay information," Boras said, according to The Times. "It's not based on any kind of clinical testing, so it is widely a product of hearsay testimony. Without clinical testing or hard evidence, any report like this has to be reviewed with great scrutiny."

Andy Pettitte Pulled A Roger Clemens

Andy Pettitte will not retire. Rather, he will pitch for the New York Yankees in 2008. Andy Pettitte pulled a Roger Clemens by being indecisive whether he wanted to retire or not and saying he wanted to be close to his family

Pettitte had declined a $16 million option last month, saying he needed more time, and catcher Jorge Posada said last week that Pettitte was leaning toward retirement. The pitcher had said late in the season that it had become increasingly difficult to be away from his family during the season.

Pettitte was 15-9 with a 4.05 ERA this year in his return to the Yankees following three seasons with his hometown Houston Astros. He went 11-3 after the All-Star break and was New York's most effective starter during the first-round playoff loss to Cleveland, pitching 6 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 2.

New York had said it could wait until next month for Pettitte to make a decision. Cashman said the $16 million option Pettitte declined was a standing offer.

All of the Yankees' major free agents have now decided to return, with Pettitte following Posada, third baseman Alex Rodriguez and closer Mariano Rivera.

New York's projected rotation now includes Andy Pettitte, Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Hughes and Joba Chamberlain, with Ian Kennedy in reserve. Wait a minute.....Joba as a starter? Is Joba ready for a starting position? What happens to their amazing bullpen if Joba becomes a starter. See, this is why the Yankees need Johan Santana so badly. If he becomes their ace, Joba can become their closer again. Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said Sunday his preference was to make the deal for Santana, which would give New York a stronger ace.

Another Yankee (Andy Pettitte) Bites The Dust

Taken from ESPN:

Andy Pettitte declined his $16 million option with the New York Yankees, still uncertain whether he wants to pitch next season.

The 35-year-old left-hander went 15-9 with a 4.05 ERA for the Yankees this year, including 11-3 after the All-Star break. He was their most effective starter in the postseason, pitching 6 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 2 of New York's first-round loss to Cleveland.

Comments:

First, one by one, the managers and coaches of the Yankees left for the Dodgers. Next, A-Rod opted out of his contract and poked fun at the Yankees by asking for a ridiculously huge sum of money. Now, Pettitte declining the Yankees came as a shock to me not because he said no to the Yankees, but because I would have expected others, such as Mariano, Clemens, and Posada, to say no before him. The loss of Pettitte would be a sad loss because he was arguably one of their best consistent pitchers over the years. In the 2007 playoffs, for example, unlike Wang who screwed up twice and Clemens who pitched poorly, Pettitte held his ground against Carmona pitching nearly perfectly. Of all the players to leave, the Yankees need to at least pursue Pettitte a little further.