Tejada Returns to AL With Royals

After sitting out the 2012 season, 38-year old Miguel Tejada has decided to try another comeback and has reportedly signed a deal with the Kansas City Royals.

Tejada says he will earn $1.1MM with the change to win another $400K with incentives. The native of the Dominican Republic played in 91 games in the 2011 season for the San Francisco Giants, but was released in September aftering compiling a .596 OPS. Tejada signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles this past May and hoped to play with the them at the big league level for the third time in his career. But after 36 games in the minors, Tejada had no home runs, 18 RBI, and hit just .259. The Orioles released him in late June.

Tejada won the American League MVP Award while a member of the Oakland A's in 2002. He hit 34 HR, drove in 131 runs, scored 108, and batted .308 while playing in all 162 regular season games. Tejada drove in 100 runs or better in five straight seasons between Oakland and Baltimore. He finished two RBI shy of 100 in 2005 or the streak would have been seven straight seasons.

The reputation of the shortstop/third baseman took a hit in 2009 when he admitted to lying to Congress about HGH and steroid use. Tejada had been mentioned in the Mitchell Report and was named as a suspect steroid user  by Jose Canseco in his 2005 book, Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big".

Knoblauch Fought the Common Law...

The Knoblauchs in...happier times?

I never thought ol' Chuckie Knoblauch was the brightest star in the universe, but today's accusations against him are far worse than I would have imagined.

The former Yankees 2nd baseman/outfielder/pine rider has been charged, according to ESPN.com, with assaulting his common-law wife Stacey. Knoblauch reportedly struck his wife in the face and choked her when she attempted to take his car keys. Prosecutors said this occurred after Knoblauch spent the evening drinking and had taken the anti-anxiety drug Xanax. Bond has been set at $10,000.

Knoblauch was mentioned in the Mitchell Report two years ago and admitted the use of steroids in front of a subsequent Congressional hearing.

To Hell with Texas

If we cross our fingers is it considered lying?





Hopefully Andy Pettitte's press conference is the last we have to hear from him or Roger Clemens for a while. If we hear y'all used that often again, we're going to bite through our tongues. Pettitte's press conference/public apology concluded a short time ago.

As expected Pettitte was humble in his press conference today. He was apologetic, though he still feels that using HGH to rehab an injury is not trying to get an edge. We wholeheartedly disgree with him on that subject. Lets cut the semantic bullshit. If you are using an illegal substance and another pitcher with the same injury is not using any illegal substance, you are in fact getting an edge over that other pitcher.

Pettitte, of course, talked a lot about his faith in God, the bible, etc., to ad nauseum. After saying he would answer all questions, he quickly retreated from any questions about the specifics of his testimony before congress, particularly those involving Roger Clemens. He did answer 95% of what was thrown at him, though most of the questions/answers got highly repetitive after 5 minutes.

Pettitte does realize his relationship with Clemens could be very much hurt by this whole mess and he also felt genuinely bad about Brian McNamee's situation. He also seemed ready to accept any punishment that baseball or others may hand down. Pettitte also realizes it could be very hard this season to keep the low profile he normally maintains.

As we said earlier today, Pettitte has taken a hit in our hearts and minds. He was a player to look up to. Now he's a player that you can never be sure is telling the complete truth.

To Hell with Texas

If we cross our fingers is it considered lying?





Hopefully Andy Pettitte's press conference is the last we have to hear from him or Roger Clemens for a while. If we hear y'all used that often again, we're going to bite through our tongues. Pettitte's press conference/public apology concluded a short time ago.

As expected Pettitte was humble in his press conference today. He was apologetic, though he still feels that using HGH to rehab an injury is not trying to get an edge. We wholeheartedly disgree with him on that subject. Lets cut the semantic bullshit. If you are using an illegal substance and another pitcher with the same injury is not using any illegal substance, you are in fact getting an edge over that other pitcher.

Pettitte, of course, talked a lot about his faith in God, the bible, etc., to ad nauseum. After saying he would answer all questions, he quickly retreated from any questions about the specifics of his testimony before congress, particularly those involving Roger Clemens. He did answer 95% of what was thrown at him, though most of the questions/answers got highly repetitive after 5 minutes.

Pettitte does realize his relationship with Clemens could be very much hurt by this whole mess and he also felt genuinely bad about Brian McNamee's situation. He also seemed ready to accept any punishment that baseball or others may hand down. Pettitte also realizes it could be very hard this season to keep the low profile he normally maintains.

As we said earlier today, Pettitte has taken a hit in our hearts and minds. He was a player to look up to. Now he's a player that you can never be sure is telling the complete truth.

Pettitte's Day in the Public Black Eye

Andy Pettitte's deposition before congress may be nothing compared to the scrutiny he will face from the Yankees' beat reporters when he arrives at spring training today. Pettitte's reputation has already taken a huge hit (we've always admired him, but we definitely look at him differently now). He's always been considering a religious, God fearing man, but apparently he came up with the wrong answer when posed with the question, "What would Jesus do?"

Pettitte was named in the Mitchell Report and immediately came out and said, somewhat defiantly, yes I did it, but it was one time in 2002 to rehab an injury; it was a mistake, etc...

But under oath Pettitte copped to a 2nd HGH use in 2004. His reason for not revealing this earlier? He was protecting his father who had actually obtained the HGH from one of Pettitte's former high school teammates.

While we have no doubt about the veracity of his comments concerning Roger Clemens, why should we believe Pettitte now when it comes to his own HGH use? How do we know he didn't use again in 2006, but isn't saying anything to protect his wife or brother or whomever?

The answer is we don't know. We can only hope that Pettitte has now been completely truthful and can put this behind him. He will be vilified on the road, and yes, if he struggles at home, he will be vilified there too, just as Jason Giambi had been in 2004 after his apology for a phantom substance.

The days ahead will be very telling for the future of Andy Pettitte.

Pettitte's Day in the Public Black Eye

Andy Pettitte's deposition before congress may be nothing compared to the scrutiny he will face from the Yankees' beat reporters when he arrives at spring training today. Pettitte's reputation has already taken a huge hit (we've always admired him, but we definitely look at him differently now). He's always been considering a religious, God fearing man, but apparently he came up with the wrong answer when posed with the question, "What would Jesus do?"

Pettitte was named in the Mitchell Report and immediately came out and said, somewhat defiantly, yes I did it, but it was one time in 2002 to rehab an injury; it was a mistake, etc...

But under oath Pettitte copped to a 2nd HGH use in 2004. His reason for not revealing this earlier? He was protecting his father who had actually obtained the HGH from one of Pettitte's former high school teammates.

While we have no doubt about the veracity of his comments concerning Roger Clemens, why should we believe Pettitte now when it comes to his own HGH use? How do we know he didn't use again in 2006, but isn't saying anything to protect his wife or brother or whomever?

The answer is we don't know. We can only hope that Pettitte has now been completely truthful and can put this behind him. He will be vilified on the road, and yes, if he struggles at home, he will be vilified there too, just as Jason Giambi had been in 2004 after his apology for a phantom substance.

The days ahead will be very telling for the future of Andy Pettitte.

Be Sure to Wash Hands

Well we wasted our morning and afternoon watching the circus they call a Congressional Hearing. Except for a few things, we didn't learn anything different from what we already knew. Brian McNamee's smarmy level definitely went up. This guy is definitely a sleaze and has no problem twisting the truth to save his butt.

Roger Clemens looked bad at times, tripped up on a few items. He's no saint, that's for sure. He came off as defiant, almost belligerent in his opening statements. We're not going to go into full detail of what was said.

But if you'd like, you can look at the Oversight Committee's website for transcripts, depositions, etc... Oh, and yes, a lot of the Congressional reps came off looking like buffoons.

Be sure to answer our new poll question about Roger Clemens over in the right sidebar. Thanks!

Be Sure to Wash Hands

Well we wasted our morning and afternoon watching the circus they call a Congressional Hearing. Except for a few things, we didn't learn anything different from what we already knew. Brian McNamee's smarmy level definitely went up. This guy is definitely a sleaze and has no problem twisting the truth to save his butt.

Roger Clemens looked bad at times, tripped up on a few items. He's no saint, that's for sure. He came off as defiant, almost belligerent in his opening statements. We're not going to go into full detail of what was said.

But if you'd like, you can look at the Oversight Committee's website for transcripts, depositions, etc... Oh, and yes, a lot of the Congressional reps came off looking like buffoons.

Be sure to answer our new poll question about Roger Clemens over in the right sidebar. Thanks!

McNamee Turning Up the Heat

With temperatures dropping back to freezing, it's only appropriate that Brian McNamee is turning up the heat on Roger Clemens. McNamee is said to be helping congressional investigators as they prepare for February hearings on performance enhancing drugs.

McNamee had previously only answered questions from federal authorities as well as the Mitchell investigators. He did not volunteer information. Whether or not it's because of Roger Clemens claims that McNamee lied, the personal trainer is starting to volunteer information to authorities, going into much deeper detail than before.

McNamee's attorney Earl Ward got right to the point...

"Brian knows a lot about Roger's moral character and knows a lot about his extracurricular activities. ... There's a lot that he could say to damage Roger's reputation, but we plan on taking the high road. ... If some of this stuff were to come out, Roger Clemens would look very, very, very bad."

Congressional investigators are asking more probing questions as well as they try to determine the validity of both McNamee's and Clemens' claims.

Clemens' attorney Rusty Hardin is also backing away from his earlier statement that Clemens would definitely testify under oath before Congress.




The needle was this big...





Source - NY Daily News

McNamee Turning Up the Heat

With temperatures dropping back to freezing, it's only appropriate that Brian McNamee is turning up the heat on Roger Clemens. McNamee is said to be helping congressional investigators as they prepare for February hearings on performance enhancing drugs.

McNamee had previously only answered questions from federal authorities as well as the Mitchell investigators. He did not volunteer information. Whether or not it's because of Roger Clemens claims that McNamee lied, the personal trainer is starting to volunteer information to authorities, going into much deeper detail than before.

McNamee's attorney Earl Ward got right to the point...

"Brian knows a lot about Roger's moral character and knows a lot about his extracurricular activities. ... There's a lot that he could say to damage Roger's reputation, but we plan on taking the high road. ... If some of this stuff were to come out, Roger Clemens would look very, very, very bad."

Congressional investigators are asking more probing questions as well as they try to determine the validity of both McNamee's and Clemens' claims.

Clemens' attorney Rusty Hardin is also backing away from his earlier statement that Clemens would definitely testify under oath before Congress.




The needle was this big...





Source - NY Daily News

Abscess of Malice

Just when you thought the Brian McNamee-Roger Clemens tete-a-tete couldn't get any odder, we are now getting down to the bare essentials. The butt being the bare part. McNamee told investigators last Summer that Clemens developed an abscess on said butt around the time McNamee allegedly injected him with steroids.

While all syringes can cause abscesses, steroid injections are known for causing them.

“It is far less likely that any injection of vitamin B-12 or lidocaine, which is usually not injected deep into the body, would have created an abscess,” said Gary Wadler, an internist who is a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency. “Steroid users tend to repetitively inject the drug deep into the muscle and this has been associated with the development of sterile abscess.”

Three members of the Blue Jays organization, including one of their trainers, back in '98, when alleged abscess obsessed, do not recall Clemens having any such issue.

Remember when it was just about playing games? How we long for that day again.

Abscess of Malice

Just when you thought the Brian McNamee-Roger Clemens tete-a-tete couldn't get any odder, we are now getting down to the bare essentials. The butt being the bare part. McNamee told investigators last Summer that Clemens developed an abscess on said butt around the time McNamee allegedly injected him with steroids.

While all syringes can cause abscesses, steroid injections are known for causing them.

“It is far less likely that any injection of vitamin B-12 or lidocaine, which is usually not injected deep into the body, would have created an abscess,” said Gary Wadler, an internist who is a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency. “Steroid users tend to repetitively inject the drug deep into the muscle and this has been associated with the development of sterile abscess.”

Three members of the Blue Jays organization, including one of their trainers, back in '98, when alleged abscess obsessed, do not recall Clemens having any such issue.

Remember when it was just about playing games? How we long for that day again.

Do You Swear?

Roger Clemens did plenty of plenty of swearing in his press conference the other day, but he'll soon be swearing on a Bible in front of congress. That according to Henry Waxman (D-Calif), the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Since the committee's time for questioning is limited, they can go more in-depth with those testifying under oath. Typical congress though. Tobacco manufacturers testified WITHOUT being under oath, but a bunch of baseball players MUST be under oath.

Before then Brian McNamee will be meeting next Thursday with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Parrella and IRS special agent Jeff Novitzky (whose name isn't as cool as say, "007"). Though no meeting agenda has been set, its expected that the three are meeting to discuss Clemens' allegations that McNamee lied to the Mitchell commission.

Bud Selig and George Mitchell may have wanted to just "move on" after the release of the Mitchell Report, but this stuff is just going to drag on indefinitely.




On another note, is Henry Waxman's head on upside down?

Do You Swear?

Roger Clemens did plenty of plenty of swearing in his press conference the other day, but he'll soon be swearing on a Bible in front of congress. That according to Henry Waxman (D-Calif), the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Since the committee's time for questioning is limited, they can go more in-depth with those testifying under oath. Typical congress though. Tobacco manufacturers testified WITHOUT being under oath, but a bunch of baseball players MUST be under oath.

Before then Brian McNamee will be meeting next Thursday with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Parrella and IRS special agent Jeff Novitzky (whose name isn't as cool as say, "007"). Though no meeting agenda has been set, its expected that the three are meeting to discuss Clemens' allegations that McNamee lied to the Mitchell commission.

Bud Selig and George Mitchell may have wanted to just "move on" after the release of the Mitchell Report, but this stuff is just going to drag on indefinitely.




On another note, is Henry Waxman's head on upside down?

Knobby Speaks Up

For the first time since being named in the Mitchell Report, former Yankee Chuck Knoblauch has publicly commented on his inclusion in the "festivities". While he doesn't deny any wrong doing, he doesn't admit either. He does sound a little bitter though towards the game that brought him fame, and in some cases, infamy.

“I have nothing to defend,” Knoblauch said. “I have nothing to hide at the same time.”

Oddly, what bothered him most about being in the report is that he no longer has anything to do with baseball, and he wants to keep it that way.

“I’ve got nothing to do with any of that, I mean, any baseball.”

“And I don’t want anything to do with baseball,” he added.

Knoblauch plans to be at the congressional hearing on February 13, but has not been told any specifics.

“I read my name in the paper and see it on the news, but I haven’t heard a word,” Knoblauch said. “I’m supposed to be somewhere, but I haven’t been told where to be.”

Asked if he will talk to the committee, Knoblauch said: “Yeah, if I have to do that, then what are you going to do?”

Philip M. Schiliro, the chief of staff for the committee holding the hearing, said he left several messages for Knoblauch, but has not heard back from him.

Perhaps this was the saddest statement of all from the once beloved 2nd Baseman. “I love baseball,” he said, “but I’m not trying to get a job in baseball. I don’t have any friends from baseball. Baseball doesn’t control my life anymore.”

Knoblauch, for now, is content to fill his time playing with his 3-yr old son. And he asked reporters not to tell anyone where he lives.

Knobby Speaks Up

For the first time since being named in the Mitchell Report, former Yankee Chuck Knoblauch has publicly commented on his inclusion in the "festivities". While he doesn't deny any wrong doing, he doesn't admit either. He does sound a little bitter though towards the game that brought him fame, and in some cases, infamy.

“I have nothing to defend,” Knoblauch said. “I have nothing to hide at the same time.”

Oddly, what bothered him most about being in the report is that he no longer has anything to do with baseball, and he wants to keep it that way.

“I’ve got nothing to do with any of that, I mean, any baseball.”

“And I don’t want anything to do with baseball,” he added.

Knoblauch plans to be at the congressional hearing on February 13, but has not been told any specifics.

“I read my name in the paper and see it on the news, but I haven’t heard a word,” Knoblauch said. “I’m supposed to be somewhere, but I haven’t been told where to be.”

Asked if he will talk to the committee, Knoblauch said: “Yeah, if I have to do that, then what are you going to do?”

Philip M. Schiliro, the chief of staff for the committee holding the hearing, said he left several messages for Knoblauch, but has not heard back from him.

Perhaps this was the saddest statement of all from the once beloved 2nd Baseman. “I love baseball,” he said, “but I’m not trying to get a job in baseball. I don’t have any friends from baseball. Baseball doesn’t control my life anymore.”

Knoblauch, for now, is content to fill his time playing with his 3-yr old son. And he asked reporters not to tell anyone where he lives.

Clemensy

Main Entry: clem·en·cy

Pronunciation:

\ˈkle-mən(t)-sē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural clem·en·cies

Date:

15th century

1 a: disposition to be merciful and especially to moderate the severity of punishment due
b: an act or instance of leniency

Roger Clemens is looking for exoneration, but clemency may take on a new spelling in the future. Clemens has now become a target, just as Barry Bonds had before him. The Rocket better be telling the truth when he says he never took anabolic steroids, or he could meet a fate that has befallen Pete Rose and may yet hit Barry Bonds.

So far, Clemens is behind in the court of public opinion. His tirade in front of reporters on Monday didn't help his cause any either. His lawyer tried to tell us its because he's so impassioned. It looked more like someone cracking under the weight of what is going on around him.

The pundits of course are not holding back their opinion. Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle says, "move over Barry, Roger now baseball's biggest jerk". You went a little crazy there Scott. While Clemens may or may not be telling the truth, he is revered by fans in more than just his home ball park. He is revered by his teammates, many of whom look at him with awe. Barry Bonds is universally hated outside of San Francisco, and inside his own locker room.

Clemens best be prepared when he sits before Congress in February. The Feds are using the extra month to dig deeper into Clemens' past. If any of Clemens' past teammates witnessed him taking steroid injections, it could prove fatal to Clemens' legacy. Then again if there are no other witnesses other than McNamee, Clemens has a good chance for the exoneration he seeks.

No failed blood tests, no witnesses, no money trail vs. the words of one man with his back against the wall. You decide.

photo courtesy of SI.com

Clemensy

Main Entry: clem·en·cy

Pronunciation:

\ˈkle-mən(t)-sē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural clem·en·cies

Date:

15th century

1 a: disposition to be merciful and especially to moderate the severity of punishment due
b: an act or instance of leniency

Roger Clemens is looking for exoneration, but clemency may take on a new spelling in the future. Clemens has now become a target, just as Barry Bonds had before him. The Rocket better be telling the truth when he says he never took anabolic steroids, or he could meet a fate that has befallen Pete Rose and may yet hit Barry Bonds.

So far, Clemens is behind in the court of public opinion. His tirade in front of reporters on Monday didn't help his cause any either. His lawyer tried to tell us its because he's so impassioned. It looked more like someone cracking under the weight of what is going on around him.

The pundits of course are not holding back their opinion. Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle says, "move over Barry, Roger now baseball's biggest jerk". You went a little crazy there Scott. While Clemens may or may not be telling the truth, he is revered by fans in more than just his home ball park. He is revered by his teammates, many of whom look at him with awe. Barry Bonds is universally hated outside of San Francisco, and inside his own locker room.

Clemens best be prepared when he sits before Congress in February. The Feds are using the extra month to dig deeper into Clemens' past. If any of Clemens' past teammates witnessed him taking steroid injections, it could prove fatal to Clemens' legacy. Then again if there are no other witnesses other than McNamee, Clemens has a good chance for the exoneration he seeks.

No failed blood tests, no witnesses, no money trail vs. the words of one man with his back against the wall. You decide.

photo courtesy of SI.com

And Here's the Pitch...

After viewing Roger Clemens' interview on 60 Minutes (transcript below), I'm neither convinced he's telling truth or lying about steroid use. The only thing clear is this- Brian McNamee was facing federal charges (and may still be) unless he cooperated with the Mitchell Commision and gave them information. And so McNamee did. And Andy Pettitte confirmed some of what McNamee said.

There's no doubt that Clemens is guilty by association in the eyes of many people. They feel if McNamee told the truth about Pettitte, why would he lie about Clemens. Even Mike Wallace asked that of Clemens. My answer to that would be to keep himself from going to federal prison. So we are in a quandary. Everything that Clemens says or doesn't say could be taken in either direction.

When queried by Wallace, Clemens said he probably would retire rather than subject himself to unwarranted scrutiny. Is is really that or is it because he can no longer play without steroids. it goes on and on.

Unless some evidence is produced, this will all continued to be a case of "he said, he said". One thing is certain- Clemens was probably a lot more truthful than Pervez Musharraf or the scumbag former hitman that were interview first.

And Here's the Pitch...

After viewing Roger Clemens' interview on 60 Minutes (transcript below), I'm neither convinced he's telling truth or lying about steroid use. The only thing clear is this- Brian McNamee was facing federal charges (and may still be) unless he cooperated with the Mitchell Commision and gave them information. And so McNamee did. And Andy Pettitte confirmed some of what McNamee said.

There's no doubt that Clemens is guilty by association in the eyes of many people. They feel if McNamee told the truth about Pettitte, why would he lie about Clemens. Even Mike Wallace asked that of Clemens. My answer to that would be to keep himself from going to federal prison. So we are in a quandary. Everything that Clemens says or doesn't say could be taken in either direction.

When queried by Wallace, Clemens said he probably would retire rather than subject himself to unwarranted scrutiny. Is is really that or is it because he can no longer play without steroids. it goes on and on.

Unless some evidence is produced, this will all continued to be a case of "he said, he said". One thing is certain- Clemens was probably a lot more truthful than Pervez Musharraf or the scumbag former hitman that were interview first.