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Clemens Repeats Denials To Panel

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The Associated Press

Published: February 6, 2008

WASHINGTON - Roger Clemens spoke under oath for about five hours to congressional lawyers Tuesday, then said he told them he did not use performance-enhancing drugs.

"I just want to thank the committee, the staff that I just met with. They were very courteous," Clemens said after emerging from the offices of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

"It was great to be able to tell them what I've been saying all along - that I've never used steroids or growth hormone," the seven-time Cy Young Award winner said.

Clemens, wearing a pinstriped gray suit instead of a pinstriped New York Yankees uniform, did not take questions from reporters.

The 45-year-old pitcher ranks eighth in major-league history with 354 career wins. His closed-door, sworn testimony on Capitol Hill came one day after his Yankees teammate and workout partner, Andy Pettitte, gave a deposition to committee staff for 2 1/2 hours.

Both players' interviews are part of preparation for a hearing Feb. 13, a public session expected to focus on allegations made in the Mitchell Report by trainer Brian McNamee that he injected Clemens more than a dozen times with human growth hormone and steroids in 1998, 2000 and 2001.

Jeter Settles Tax Case

ALBANY, N.Y. - Derek Jeter settled his case with tax officials, who had said the New York Yankees captain should have paid three years of taxes as a New York state resident.

A state official confirmed the settlement, but terms were not disclosed.

Jeter's representatives declined to comment. Tax officials contended Jeter should have been taxed from 2001-03. Jeter, who has a Manhattan apartment, said he was a Florida resident and didn't owe New York taxes.

BLUE JAYS: Re-signed All- Star outfielder Alex Rios to a one-year contract worth $4.8 million.

NATIONALS: Japanese left-hander Katsuhiko Maekawa, 29, agreed to terms on a minor-league contract and will be invited to spring training.

PIRATES: Second baseman Freddy Sanchez, 30, agreed to a contract that is worth about $11 million over two years and includes an option for 2010. The contract allows the 2006 NL batting champion to avoid an arbitration hearing.

RED SOX: Free-agent first baseman Sean Casey agreed to an $800,000, one-year contract to be Boston's backup first baseman.

A three-time All-Star and .301 hitter who spent eight of 11 major league seasons with Cincinnati, Casey hit .296 with four homers, 30 doubles and 54 RBIs for Detroit last season.

ROCKIES: Light-hitting speedster Scott Podsednik, catalyst of the Chicago White Sox's world championship run in 2005, agreed to a minor-league contract.

YANKEES: Relief pitcher Brian Bruney agreed to a $725,000, one-year contract.

New York also has a preliminary agreement with second baseman Robinson Cano on a $30 million, four-year contract.

Rudy As A Sox Fan?

NEW YORK - Rudy Giuliani, a Boston Red Sox fan?

When Topps baseball cards hit the stores this week it will appear that way. About one in every 70 packs will include a picture of the former New York City mayor, fist raised in victory, celebrating with the Red Sox on the field after their World Series win.

Topps did something similar a year ago, inserting President Bush into the stands and Mickey Mantle into the dugout in the background of Derek Jeter's card.

CARIBBEAN SERIES: Texas Rangers' outfielder Nelson Cruz hit a solo homer in the eighth inning to lead the Dominican Republic's Licey Tigers to a 2-1 victory over Venezuela's Aragua Tigers on Tuesday in the Caribbean Series.

The loss eliminated Venezuela (1-3) from contention in the four-team tournament. Licey (4-0), looking for its 10th Caribbean crown, is the only unbeaten team.

Washington Nationals reliever Jesus Colome (1-0) got the win with 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

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