Posted at 4:28 p.m., Thursday, January 3, 2008
Baseball: Clemens says he took B-12, painkiller
By Mel Antonen
USA TODAY
Clemens told correspondent Mike Wallace that McNamee's accusations are "ridiculous" and he never used banned substances.
"Swear?" asks Wallace.
"Swear," Clemens replies.
McNamee told former senator George Mitchell that he injected Clemens with steroids in 1998, 2000 and 2001, and that he injected Clemens with human growth hormone in 2000. Mitchell investigated illegal performance-enhancing drug use in baseball at the request of Commissioner Bud Selig and issued his report last month.
Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner with 354 wins in a 24-year career, has denied McNamee's claims through his lawyer, Rusty Hardin, and in a video posted on his Web site.
Clemens, 45, was interviewed at his home in Katy, Texas, a week ago. According to the release, Clemens said he took the painkiller for his joints and that he still takes B-12 today.
In the Mitchell Report, the former senator said Clemens asked McNamee to inject him with Winstrol, which Clemens supplied. And, according to the report, McNamee knew the substance was Winstrol because the vials Clemens gave him were labeled as such.
Earl Ward, a lawyer for the former New York Yankees trainer, said he's prepared to sue Clemens for defamation if Clemens calls McNamee a liar during the "60 Minutes" interview.
Ward has added Richard D. Emery, a lawyer who specializes in defamation and civil liberties, to his team, in case Clemens calls McNamee a liar on national TV. Emery said today that the threat of a defamation lawsuit is not about hurting Clemens, but protecting McNamee. "As long as he doesn't cast Brian in a negative light, he can say whatever he wants and lie to the public all he wants," Emery said. "If he does put him in a negative light, he's facing potential (legal action). That is the message I want Roger Clemens to hear."
Hardin responded today to Ward's threat of a lawsuit with a statement: "In his interview with '60 Minutes' Roger told the truth. It is that simple. I encourage Mr. McNamee to watch the program."
Ward said McNamee's story has withstood questioning from federal investigators from the U.S. Attorney's office, who were present when McNamee was interviewed by Mitchell.
"He has been grilled by federal investigators throughout, and his story has remained consistent," Ward said. "He was grilled by Sen. Mitchell and he was consistent. He's telling the truth."
