Canseco to grand jury: I never saw Clemens use steroids

WASHINGTON - Former slugger Jose Canseco said he told a federal grand jury yesterday that he had never seen Roger Clemens use steroids, maintaining the support he's shown for the former ace since 2008.

Canseco, wearing jeans, a black shirt and a dark blazer with silver embroidered designs, described his testimony to reporters after his two hours of testimony. The grand jury has been hearing witnesses as it considers whether to indict Clemens for allegedly lying to Congress two years ago, when he denied using steroids or human growth hormone.

Canseco maintained his support for the pitcher, again saying there's no evidence that Clemens used performance-enhancing drugs.

"I had my suspicions back then of a lot of players because it was so rampant in the game of baseball," he said. "But if you ask me if I have any solid evidence, did I ever inject Roger Clemens or put him in contact or did he ever use steroids, never."

In the proceeding, he said he was asked about his own steroid use and about comments players made about steroid use that are mentioned in his book, "Juiced." Canseco said Clemens knew about his drug use but never asked to get in touch with suppliers.

Canseco was accompanied by his attorney, Gary Holmes of the Raines Law Group in Beverly Hills, Calif. The former player's statements are consistent with what he previously conveyed in a March 2008 affidavit.

In addition, Canseco said he was shown a photo of himself, Clemens and Brian McNamee at Yankee Stadium. McNamee, Clemens' former personal trainer and a star witness, testified May 25 before the grand jury.

McNamee said in the 2007 Mitchell Report that he injected the 354-game winner with steroids and HGH at least 16 times. Clemens denied the allegations, and both repeated their conflicting claims at a congressional hearing in 2008.