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Clemens: Injections Were B12, Painkiller

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The Associated Press

Published: January 4, 2008

NEW YORK - Roger Clemens said former trainer Brian McNamee injected him with the painkiller lidocaine and the vitamin B-12, according to the first excerpts released from the pitcher's interview with CBS's "60 Minutes."

McNamee said in the Mitchell report on doping in baseball that he personally injected Clemens with steroids in 1998 while with the Toronto Blue Jays, and with steroids and human growth hormone in 2000 and 2001 while with the New York Yankees.

Clemens issued a video statement on Dec. 23 denying the accusations and plans to hold a news conference Monday, a day after the CBS interview is to be broadcast.

During the interview, recorded last Friday at Clemens' home in Katy, Texas, Clemens was asked whether McNamee had injected him with any drugs.

"Lidocaine and B-12," Clemens responded. "It's for my joints, and B-12 I still take today."

Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that can be used by dentists and in minor surgery. It also is available as part of ointments used to treat skin inflammation.

Clemens told CBS that McNamee's accusation was "ridiculous" and said he "never" used banned substances.

"Swear?" CBS's Mike Wallace asked Clemens.

"Swear," Clemens responded.

Baseball players and owners did not have an agreement to ban steroids until September 2002, and they didn't ban HGH until January 2005.

A's Send Swisher To White Sox

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland Athletics made their second major trade in three weeks, sending outfielder and fan favorite Nick Swisher to the Chicago White Sox for three minor-leaguers on Thursday.

The A's - who dealt ace Dan Haren to Arizona on Dec. 14 - received left-hander Gio Gonzalez, right-hander Fautino De Los Santos and outfielder Ryan Sweeney.

Oakland general manager Billy Beane acknowledged last month that the A's are rebuilding and said he expects the club to take its lumps next season after the team missed the playoffs in 2007. The A's reached the AL championship series in 2006, but Oakland (76-86) had its streak of winning seasons end at eight and went 9-17 in September.

"It definitely was a little surprising," said Swisher, who was having breakfast with his mother in Columbus, Ohio, when he got the news. "An unknown caller came up on my phone, I picked it up and little did I know the phone call would change my life."

The 27-year-old Swisher, a switch-hitter and a popular presence in the clubhouse because of his high-energy, playful nature, had been one of the few constants for Oakland in recent seasons - playing in the outfield and at first base.

He batted .262 with 22 homers and 78 RBIs in 150 games in 2007, his third full big league season.

CARDINALS: Matt Clement agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract with a club option for 2009.

Clement missed last season while recovering from shoulder surgery.

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