Clemens, McNamee Challenged On Steroids Testimony

   CAPITOL HILL (AP) — They’re separated by just one seat, at a table in front of a House panel – but the testimony from Roger Clemens and his former trainer Brian McNamee is miles apart.

Both were grilled Wednesday by lawmakers trying to establish which one is telling the truth, concerning whether Clemens used performance-enhancing drugs.

Clemens was asked to explain statements from his long-time friend and teammate, Andy Pettitte, who said Clemens had admitted to him that he had used human growth hormone. Clemens said Pettitte had simply “misremembered” their conversation.

Clemens told the panel that he had “never taken steroids or HGH.” And he said no matter what happens before the panel Wednesday, he will never have his reputation restored.

As for McNamee, he was asked why he had for years held onto what he says is proof that he injected Clemens with drugs. He responded that despite his long relationship with Clemens, he hadn’t completely trusted the pitcher. One lawmaker pointed to what he said was “lie after lie after lie” from McNamee.

Allegations of the steroid abuse were covered in baseball’s famous Mitchell report, in which McNamee claims to have injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone more than a dozen times from 1998 to 2001.

The former trainer now says that number was “greater.” In his prepared statement, he says he helped “taint our national pastime.”

In his prepared statement, Clemens again denied using the drugs and says he can’t “admit to doing something that” he didn’t do.

McNamee is also attacking Clemens’ credibility. He says he “liked and admired Roger Clemens” but doesn’t think he “ever really trusted him.”