McNamee tried to warn Clemens of doping test

NEW YORK: Brian McNamee, who says he injected pitcher Roger Clemens with steroids, warned a representative of Clemens' agents in 2003 or 2004 about Clemens' doping, the New York Daily News reported Sunday.

The former trainer for Major League Baseball star hurlers Clemens and Andy Pettitte met with Jim Murray, who worked for Clemens' agents, and discussed the pitcher's steroid use as the game began a test program, the newspaper reported.

Earl Ward, an attorney for McNamee, told the newspaper of the conversation discussing the ramifications of doping tests and what it might mean for Clemens, now 45, because of his using steroids and human growth hormone (HGH).

Murray works for Clemens' agents Randy and Alan Hendricks, the News said, and Ward said McNamee was concerned Clemens might still have traces of steroids in his system in 2003 when a trial testing program began.

"The meeting coincided with baseball's announcement of testing," Ward told the newspaper. "Brian wanted to let them know Roger had some problems. They discussed steroid use - this was as far back as 2003 or 2004 - and Murray took notes."

McNamee said he injected Clemens 16 times with performance-enhancing drugs from 1998 to 2001.

Clemens has denied any wrongdoing, saying McNamee's injections were of vitamins and painkillers.

Clemens has been asked to give a sworn deposition Saturday to the House of Representatives Oversight Committee ahead of a February 13 hearing on the issue in which McNamee and Clemens must testify under oath.

McNamee has been asked to appear for a deposition on January 31.

Whichever is proven to be lying could face federal charges similar to those now facing US baseball home- run king Barry Bonds. An investigation is also ongoing into whether baseball pitcher Miguel Tejada lied to Congress in 2005.

Athletics star Marion Jones and American football standout Dana Stubblefield have admitted lying to federal agents in connection with the BALCO steroid scandal.

Clemens taped a January 4 conversation with McNamee during which the trainer was heard to say, "I did speak ... I told your guys, man. I told Murray."

AFP

(China Daily 01/22/2008 page22)