McNamee writing, giving hitting lessons
Brian McNamee, former trainer for Roger Clemens, offered training to Matt Pittione, 14, of Breezy Point, along with one other Breezy Point junior varsity player, at Baseball Plus in Freeport Friday evening. Credit: Newsday/Danielle Finkelstein
Brian McNamee refers to his situation as an "ongoing battle."
The former trainer for Roger Clemens hasn't had much work lately, thanks to his assertion three years ago that he provided and injected the seven-time Cy Young Award winner with steroids. McNamee told former Maine Sen. George Mitchell and government investigators that he injected Clemens with steroids 16 times during the 1998, 2000 and 2001 seasons.
These days McNamee can be found promoting his new book, "How to Be a Champion," and giving hitting lessons at Baseball Plus, a batting cage in Freeport.
"Baseball Plus came to me and opened up their doors . . . They said, 'You have a lot to offer,' " McNamee said Friday.
McNamee said he lost a lot of work over the last few years and defended his record as a quality trainer. "I didn't walk into baseball with steroids or growth hormone," he said. "I'm a very established trainer. At one time, if not now, I was considered the best at what I did."
Citing a gag order, McNamee wouldn't talk about the Clemens trial - the former pitcher is charged with making false statements, perjury and obstruction of Congress - but he did comment on the retirement of another of his former clients, Andy Pettitte.
McNamee said he wasn't surprised that Pettitte decided to hang it up. "He definitely is still a valuable pitcher in the big leagues," said McNamee, who trained Pettitte for 10 years. "For him to retire, I think the time is right for him. Actually, personally, as his friend, I would've like to see him come back for one more year and win a championship."
Whatever the rest of the world thinks of McNamee, his new clients had nothing but kind words about him.
"He's a very good guy," said Anthony C. Auletta, 14, of Broad Channel. "He really knows his stuff." Auletta, a freshman at Xavier High School in Manhattan, said he will play junior varsity baseball this spring.
Auletta's father, Anthony, echoed his son's sentiments about McNamee. "He's great with the kids," he said. "He really goes the extra mile with them."
Matt Piccione Jr., 14, a freshman at Midwood High School from Breezy Point, also appreciates the effort McNamee has put in. Said Piccione: "It's been a fun experience for me."
