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Congress invites Clemens, Pettitte, McNamee

BY DAVID LENNON | david.lennon@newsday.com

January 5, 2008

After making a case for himself on "60 Minutes" on Sunday, the next stop for Roger Clemens will be Capitol Hill - and The Rocket won't be the only one going to Washington.

Clemens and Andy Pettitte, along with trainer Brian McNamee and clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski, were asked Friday to testify before a congressional committee Jan. 16 in a repeat of the steroid hearings held in March 2005.

Clemens and McNamee, or at least their lawyers, already have been engaged in a war of words over McNamee's statement in the Mitchell Report that he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone at different periods from 1998 to 2001.

In Sunday's interview with Mike Wallace, Clemens admits to getting injections from McNamee but insists that the shots contained only the painkiller lidocaine and vitamin B-12. When both appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, however, the two will be questioned under oath.

Clemens' lawyer, Rusty Hardin, issued a statement Friday that indicated the seven-time Cy Young winner plans to attend, but he also suggested that Clemens might have to check for scheduling conflicts first.

"We welcome chairman [Henry] Waxman and the committee's interest in this very serious matter," Hardin said in an e-mail. "Roger is willing to answer questions, including those posed to him while under oath. We hope to determine shortly if schedules and other commitments can accommodate the committee on that date."

A person close to McNamee said Friday that he will attend but suggested that the process could be delayed. His lawyer, Earl Ward, did not immediately return a phone message. The committee's minority staff director, David Marin, told The Associated Press, "We always presume that invited witnesses will appear."

In addition to the steroids triangle connecting Clemens, McNamee and Pettitte, Radomski was the star witness of the Mitchell Report, which compiled a list of more than 80 players linked to performance-enhancing drugs. Former Yankee Chuck Knoblauch, who was included in the report, also has been asked to testify before the committee.

"It could be a circus with players, true," Marin said. "But if you tailor it right and invite people who clearly have pertinent information about the substance of the report, then it's anything but a circus. It's substantive. That's what Democrats and Republicans have agreed to here."

Initially, the committee was to meet only with commissioner Bud Selig, union chief Don Fehr and the author of the report, former Senate majority leader George Mitchell. But a second day was added to include two of the most high-profile players mentioned, Clemens and Pettitte, along with McNamee and Radomski.

"The original hearing was called to examine the Mitchell recommendations and findings," Marin said. "The committee has decided to hold a second day of hearings for the very same reason: to invite people with varying perspectives on the Mitchell Report to shed further light on it."

That's the intent, anyway. The same congressional committee tried to uncover details about baseball's steroid problem in 2005. Those hearings are best remembered for the players' efforts to stonewall the panel, even though the lawmakers ultimately pressured Selig and Fehr to implement a more stringent testing program throughout baseball.

As for the All-Stars in attendance, it turned out to be the low point of what once was believed to be Hall of Fame careers. Mark McGwire, whose 583 home runs are eighth on the all-time list, waffled when asked if he had used steroids and repeatedly said he was not there to talk about the past. Sammy Sosa, in halting English, cited a language barrier.

While pointing a finger for emphasis, Rafael Palmeiro defiantly told the panel, "Let me start by telling you this: I have never used steroids. Period. I don't know how to say it any more clearly than that. Never."

Five months later, Palmeiro tested positive for steroids and received a 10-day suspension.

In Sunday's "60 Minutes" interview, Clemens calls McNamee's statements "ridiculous" and says he "never" used banned performance-enhancing drugs.

At that point, Wallace interjects, "Swear?"

"Swear," Clemens responds.

Later this month, he'll get his chance to do it for real.

Staff writer Jim Baumbach contributed to this story.