Steroid Mess Continues for Pettitte

As Andy Pettitte sat in the audience at Alex Rodriguez's press conference this afternoon, we're sure he couldn't help but reflect back on his own admittance of HGH usage and the press conference he held prior to last season. But for Pettitte, the performance enhancing drug nightmare is not over.

According to the Associated Press, Pettitte was in Washington, D.C. last week to meet with prosecutors working on the Roger Clemens perjury case. Pettitte's lawyers refused to comment when asked if such a meeting took place, but Pettitte could be a valuable witness as they probe whether or not Clemens lied to Congress.


photo courtesy of nj.com

Coney Could Write a Book

We've heard various stories about David Cone's antics (typical clubhouse stuff) as a member of the Yankees and Mets, and he clearly could write a much more inflammatory book than Joe Torre ever could. But it's probably not in Coney's character to do so. He is quoted in Torre's book, "The Yankee Years", about steroids and drug usage in the Yankees clubhouse.

Coney says the players had a good idea of who was juicing, especially those who interacted with Brian McNamee. Coney had nothing personal against McNamee, but didn't like the free reign McNamee had in the clubhouse without having been properly checked out.

"They were on his program, guys like Roger, Andy and maybe (Mike) Stanton," the book quotes Cone as saying. He says he thought McNamee "had some GNC stuff he was putting in shakes, maybe creatine or Andro or whatever you can get over the counter."

"I didn't like McNamee," Cone said in the book. "Not that he was a bad guy. I never thought he was properly vetted."

McNamee had this to add..

"Some guys were open about it, some guys weren't," he was quoted as saying. "And you wouldn't believe the s--- they were taking. I mean, it was like horse--- and crap. Like they didn't know the toxicity levels. They were taking Ritalin, oral steroids. ... They were taking stuff that was bad for them. And then they're going out all night because they've got amphetamines in them, and they're drinking ..."

Clemens also used to tell guys to go see McNamee rather than the Yankees fitness guru, Jeff Mangold. The Rocket really is/was a douchebag.


Source: Michael O'Keefe and Andy Martino, NY Daily News

Radomski Books Contradicts Testimony

A new book by Kirk Radomski could hurt the credibility (if they had any to begin with) of testimony by both Radomski and Brian McNamee, so says NY Times reporter Michael Schmidt.

McNamee had testified before Congress nearly a year ago that he never told Radomski about injecting Roger Clemens with steroids. But Radomski's book, "Bases Loaded" tells a different story. Radomski relates a time that McNamee informed him that he had injected Clemens with Winstrol. The passage could have a direct impact on the grand jury investigating possible perjury by Clemens before Congress last year.

“In a perjury case a prosecutor’s worst nightmare is for a witness to make public statements that contradicts another witness, especially the key witness in the case,” said Mathew Rosengart, a partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in New York and a former federal prosecutor. “Perjury cases are almost always a he-said, she-said dispute, and there usually isn’t a smoking gun, so corroboration of witnesses is essential. The questions about Radomski are a good thing for Clemens’s defense.”

Daniel Richman, a professor of law at Columbia University and, like Rosengart, a former federal prosecutor, echoed Rosengart’s concerns. “Every inaccuracy or inconsistency will provide material for the defense for cross-examination,” Richman said. “And they will use it to create doubt in the jury’s mind about Radomski and — by extension — McNamee.”

You can bet Clemens' lawyers will be studying Radomski's book as if they were trying to pass the Bar.

The Daily Yankeeland - 1/21

There probably weren't too many people thinking about this with the change in government yesterday. But Michael O'Keefe (not the guy from "Caddyshack") of the Daily News realized that with Bush leaving so does a pardon chance for Roger Clemens.

Peter Abraham has the updated payroll figures after the signings of Xavier Nady and Melky Cabrera. $187.9 million is the current figure, not counting the signing bonuses that CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira received. How do I get one of those?

Ken Rosenthal wrote a piece this morning saying don't think the Yankees are done yet in putting the ball club together. He mentioned that they should go after Ben Sheets and Juan Cruz. Unfortunately, some rumor mill blogs (which I won't give a link to here) now have posts saying the Yankees are pursuing both.

ESPN.com spoke with Kirk Radomski, who said he believes his fellow sleazebag friend, Brian McNamee, over Roger Clemens.

22 Days until Pitchers and Catchers

The Daily Yankeeland - 11/25

Robinson Cano's season was one of the biggest disappointments of 2007. It came on the heels of a bad 1st half in 2006 and has Yankees management concerned. Apparently it has Cano worried too. Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long recently spent time in the Dominican Republic with the inconsistent basemen and came away impressed. Here's what he told the NY Post.

"I was as impressed with what he looks like as I have ever been in my whole life," hitting coach Kevin Long said of Cano yesterday after spending six days last week in the Dominican Republic with the second baseman who led the list of Yankees disappointments last season.

"He hired a personal trainer from New Jersey who is kicking his [butt], and he looks great," Long said. "His body fat is at 11 percent, his stomach is cut."

"He works on hitting and doing agility drills for two hours, rests and goes to the weight room for three hours," Long said of Cano, who enters the second-year of a four-year, $30 million deal. "There isn't a whole lot of heavy lifting. It's more cardio and light weights."

Newsday's Wally Matthews thinks no word from CC Sabathia means he doesn't want to be a Yankee.

It's been a pleasure not having to hear anything about Roger Clemens or Brian McNamee, but they're back in the news. Word is federal agents have collected DNA samples to help determine if Clemens perjured himself in front of Congress. (Isn't that like trying to con a con man?)

Sunday was the last official tour of the current Yankee Stadium. It was bittersweet for those who took part.

The Yankees 2009 Spring Training schedule has been announced.

Going to a Bar-Mitvah or Jewish wedding? Wear a Yankees Yarmulke!

The Trenton Thunder were the first recipients of the Team of the Year award from "This Year in Minor League Baseball".

The Daily Yankeeland - 11/25

Robinson Cano's season was one of the biggest disappointments of 2007. It came on the heels of a bad 1st half in 2006 and has Yankees management concerned. Apparently it has Cano worried too. Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long recently spent time in the Dominican Republic with the inconsistent basemen and came away impressed. Here's what he told the NY Post.

"I was as impressed with what he looks like as I have ever been in my whole life," hitting coach Kevin Long said of Cano yesterday after spending six days last week in the Dominican Republic with the second baseman who led the list of Yankees disappointments last season.

"He hired a personal trainer from New Jersey who is kicking his [butt], and he looks great," Long said. "His body fat is at 11 percent, his stomach is cut."

"He works on hitting and doing agility drills for two hours, rests and goes to the weight room for three hours," Long said of Cano, who enters the second-year of a four-year, $30 million deal. "There isn't a whole lot of heavy lifting. It's more cardio and light weights."

Newsday's Wally Matthews thinks no word from CC Sabathia means he doesn't want to be a Yankee.

It's been a pleasure not having to hear anything about Roger Clemens or Brian McNamee, but they're back in the news. Word is federal agents have collected DNA samples to help determine if Clemens perjured himself in front of Congress. (Isn't that like trying to con a con man?)

Sunday was the last official tour of the current Yankee Stadium. It was bittersweet for those who took part.

The Yankees 2009 Spring Training schedule has been announced.

Going to a Bar-Mitvah or Jewish wedding? Wear a Yankees Yarmulke!

The Trenton Thunder were the first recipients of the Team of the Year award from "This Year in Minor League Baseball".

Clemens Takes Another Shot

Things got even worse for Roger Clemens yesterday when it was revealed that Brian McNamee wasn't his only performance enhancing drug provider. Kirk Radomski, the primary sleaze bag in the Mitchell Report, reportedly turned over receipts to the Feds for HGH shipments sent to Clemens' house. Oh, and they were sent to the attention of Brian McNamee.

The shipments coincide with the time that Debbie Clemens allegedly used the PED. Just when you thought this would go away, we're right back in.

Source: NY Post

Clemens Takes Another Shot

Things got even worse for Roger Clemens yesterday when it was revealed that Brian McNamee wasn't his only performance enhancing drug provider. Kirk Radomski, the primary sleaze bag in the Mitchell Report, reportedly turned over receipts to the Feds for HGH shipments sent to Clemens' house. Oh, and they were sent to the attention of Brian McNamee.

The shipments coincide with the time that Debbie Clemens allegedly used the PED. Just when you thought this would go away, we're right back in.

Source: NY Post

Clemens Delivers a Giampology

As reported by The Journal News, Roger Clemens has apologized to his family and fans for mistakes he made in his personal life. Clemens would not go into specifics of what he was apologizing for and maintained that he never used HGH or steroids.

"Even though these articles contain many false accusations and mistakes, I need to say that I have made mistakes in my personal life for which I am sorry," Clemens said in a statement issued by spokesman Patrick Dorton. "I have apologized to my family and apologize to my fans. Like everyone, I have flaws. I have sometimes made choices which have not been right."

If Clemens had used this approach in admitting to using performance enhancing drugs perhaps he wouldn't be in the situation that he is now, and his legend may have remained intact.

"I believe my personal life has nothing to do with the accusations of steroid and HGH use," Clemens said. "I have already made clear that I did not use them. Now I have been accused of having an improper relationship with a 15-year old girl. Nothing could be further from the truth. This relationship has been twisted and distorted far beyond reality. It is just one of many, many accusations that are utterly false.

"I realize that many people want me to simply confess and apologize for the conduct that I have been accused of, but I cannot confess to, nor apologize for, things I did not do. I have apologized to my family for my mistakes, and having offered this apology to the public, I would ask that you let me and my family deal with these matters in private."

Rusty Hardin, Clemens' moron at law, said he and his client are reconsidering the anti-defamation lawsuit brought against Brian McNamee. Someone please tell Mr. Hardin that the damage is done.

Clemens Delivers a Giampology

As reported by The Journal News, Roger Clemens has apologized to his family and fans for mistakes he made in his personal life. Clemens would not go into specifics of what he was apologizing for and maintained that he never used HGH or steroids.

"Even though these articles contain many false accusations and mistakes, I need to say that I have made mistakes in my personal life for which I am sorry," Clemens said in a statement issued by spokesman Patrick Dorton. "I have apologized to my family and apologize to my fans. Like everyone, I have flaws. I have sometimes made choices which have not been right."

If Clemens had used this approach in admitting to using performance enhancing drugs perhaps he wouldn't be in the situation that he is now, and his legend may have remained intact.

"I believe my personal life has nothing to do with the accusations of steroid and HGH use," Clemens said. "I have already made clear that I did not use them. Now I have been accused of having an improper relationship with a 15-year old girl. Nothing could be further from the truth. This relationship has been twisted and distorted far beyond reality. It is just one of many, many accusations that are utterly false.

"I realize that many people want me to simply confess and apologize for the conduct that I have been accused of, but I cannot confess to, nor apologize for, things I did not do. I have apologized to my family for my mistakes, and having offered this apology to the public, I would ask that you let me and my family deal with these matters in private."

Rusty Hardin, Clemens' moron at law, said he and his client are reconsidering the anti-defamation lawsuit brought against Brian McNamee. Someone please tell Mr. Hardin that the damage is done.

Master Motivator

Brian McNamee is telling kids "don't do what I did" as part of his "penance" for distributing/using steroids and generally being an a-hole. McNamee met with a small number of work out buffs in Everett, Massachuesetts, warning them of the perils of performance enhancing drugs.

“My lifetime of actions can be defined by one singular monumental mistake,” he said in a 12-minute talk at a friend’s supplement store. “I believe firmly that everyone deserves a second chance. Every second chance needs a first step. Today, I’m taking that first step.”

“You have to be careful what you get yourself involved in,” he said. “The best guide is to go with your gut feeling. If it doesn’t feel right, you probably shouldn’t be going.”

Master Motivator

Brian McNamee is telling kids "don't do what I did" as part of his "penance" for distributing/using steroids and generally being an a-hole. McNamee met with a small number of work out buffs in Everett, Massachuesetts, warning them of the perils of performance enhancing drugs.

“My lifetime of actions can be defined by one singular monumental mistake,” he said in a 12-minute talk at a friend’s supplement store. “I believe firmly that everyone deserves a second chance. Every second chance needs a first step. Today, I’m taking that first step.”

“You have to be careful what you get yourself involved in,” he said. “The best guide is to go with your gut feeling. If it doesn’t feel right, you probably shouldn’t be going.”

McNamee's World Crashing Down

Brian McNamee hasn't been having the best time over the last 6 months or so. It wasn't any better yesterday. McNamee blacked out while driving and crashed head on into a bus on Thursday.

McNamee was driving his Lexus around 12:30 pm in Far Rockaway, NY when he says he blacked out due to a on-going medical condition. Neither McNamee or anyone on the bus was seriously hurt. No information was available from police as of Friday morning.

Source: NY Post

McNamee's World Crashing Down

Brian McNamee hasn't been having the best time over the last 6 months or so. It wasn't any better yesterday. McNamee blacked out while driving and crashed head on into a bus on Thursday.

McNamee was driving his Lexus around 12:30 pm in Far Rockaway, NY when he says he blacked out due to a on-going medical condition. Neither McNamee or anyone on the bus was seriously hurt. No information was available from police as of Friday morning.

Source: NY Post

McNamee Lawyers Throw a Brushback

Lawyers for Brian McNamee are attempting to have Roger Clemens' lead attorney, Rusty Hardin, disqualified from the defamation suit brought by Clemens. The reasoning behind it is that Hardin has also represented Andy Pettitte, who would be one of the key witnesses for the McNamee team. This woud, according to McNamee's lawyers, create a conflict of interest for Hardin.

“To successfully prosecute Mr. Clemens’s claim, and consistent with his duty of loyalty to Mr. Clemens, Mr. Hardin would be obligated to disclose confidential information about Mr. Pettitte to undermine Mr. Pettitte’s credibility,” the brief said.

Hardin sent out an email about the case and was a little more subtle than his usual approach.

“Brian McNamee’s statements to the Mitchell commission and others concerning steroid and H.G.H. use by Roger Clemens are absolutely false and the very definition of defamatory,” Hardin said in an e-mail message. “We look forward to trying this matter before a jury rather than in the court of public opinion.”

McNamee's team is also trying to protect their client's statement to federal investigators from being made public.

We can only hope the case doesn't go to trial until the off-season so that Andy Pettitte isn't distracted.

Source: NY Times

McNamee Lawyers Throw a Brushback

Lawyers for Brian McNamee are attempting to have Roger Clemens' lead attorney, Rusty Hardin, disqualified from the defamation suit brought by Clemens. The reasoning behind it is that Hardin has also represented Andy Pettitte, who would be one of the key witnesses for the McNamee team. This woud, according to McNamee's lawyers, create a conflict of interest for Hardin.

“To successfully prosecute Mr. Clemens’s claim, and consistent with his duty of loyalty to Mr. Clemens, Mr. Hardin would be obligated to disclose confidential information about Mr. Pettitte to undermine Mr. Pettitte’s credibility,” the brief said.

Hardin sent out an email about the case and was a little more subtle than his usual approach.

“Brian McNamee’s statements to the Mitchell commission and others concerning steroid and H.G.H. use by Roger Clemens are absolutely false and the very definition of defamatory,” Hardin said in an e-mail message. “We look forward to trying this matter before a jury rather than in the court of public opinion.”

McNamee's team is also trying to protect their client's statement to federal investigators from being made public.

We can only hope the case doesn't go to trial until the off-season so that Andy Pettitte isn't distracted.

Source: NY Times

Oh to be in Tampa...

...now that 9 inches of snow have fallen; followed by freezing rain. It also created some technical difficulties for us; hence no posts yesterday. It was definitely the kind of day that made us wish we were down in spring training. Plenty went on yesterday though. And no we just don't mean J-Lo giving birth to twins. Though she too has been annoyed by the papparazzi.

A photograph owned by an 11-yr old could bring down Roger Clemens. Or more precisely, a then 11-yr old. A report came out yesterday that a Florida family is in possession of a photo of Clemens that was taken at the infamous Canseco house party in 1998.

The family apparently contacted Brian McNamee's lawyer, Richard Emery, with the information. The photo in question is hanging on a wall in the unnamed family's home.

"The boy remembers the party," Emery said. "He's 10 years older now, but it was the only time he was ever at Canseco's house. And all the baseball players were there. It was a big event in this kid's life. He has this picture on his wall, both pictures on his wall. He kept those pictures.

"The mother remembers dropping him off at 1:30 and picking him up two hours later. And Clemens was still at the party. It was very clear, but they didn't want to give us the picture because they were all concerned. Apparently he's a baseball player in college, draft-eligible perhaps. They were very worried about this picture affecting this kid's life."

Now whether or not the photo can be proven to have been taken on the same exact day remains to be seen. Even a timestamp is not necessarily concrete proof.

Oh to be in Tampa...

...now that 9 inches of snow have fallen; followed by freezing rain. It also created some technical difficulties for us; hence no posts yesterday. It was definitely the kind of day that made us wish we were down in spring training. Plenty went on yesterday though. And no we just don't mean J-Lo giving birth to twins. Though she too has been annoyed by the papparazzi.

A photograph owned by an 11-yr old could bring down Roger Clemens. Or more precisely, a then 11-yr old. A report came out yesterday that a Florida family is in possession of a photo of Clemens that was taken at the infamous Canseco house party in 1998.

The family apparently contacted Brian McNamee's lawyer, Richard Emery, with the information. The photo in question is hanging on a wall in the unnamed family's home.

"The boy remembers the party," Emery said. "He's 10 years older now, but it was the only time he was ever at Canseco's house. And all the baseball players were there. It was a big event in this kid's life. He has this picture on his wall, both pictures on his wall. He kept those pictures.

"The mother remembers dropping him off at 1:30 and picking him up two hours later. And Clemens was still at the party. It was very clear, but they didn't want to give us the picture because they were all concerned. Apparently he's a baseball player in college, draft-eligible perhaps. They were very worried about this picture affecting this kid's life."

Now whether or not the photo can be proven to have been taken on the same exact day remains to be seen. Even a timestamp is not necessarily concrete proof.

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.