Jeter hopes Clemens mess will be over soon

TORONTO – Derek Jeter hadn’t heard the big news in the Roger Clemens’ perjury trial when he walked into the visitor’s clubhouse Thursday afternoon. But when brought up to speed by reporters, the Yankees shortstop was pleased to hear the judicial process may be nearing an end.

“I’m not a legal expert, but yeah, you want it to be behind him,” Jeter said of Clemens, his former teammate from 1999-2003. “I think obviously the more attention that’s paid to that it’s just negative for the game in general. So hopefully it’s over soon.”

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton declared a mistrial on the second day of testimony after the government introduced evidence that had been barred.

A hearing will be held Sept. 2 to determine whether the trial should be restarted with a new jury or tossed out completely.

Unlike Jeter, manager Joe Girardi didn’t feel like discussing the matter.

Asked if Clemens' mistrial and Barry Bonds’ obstruction of justice charge in April prove the Steroid Era is finally behind us, Girardi said: “I don’t know. That’s something in the past and my focus is on the New York Yankees playing the Toronto Blue Jays.”