Santana

http://waswatching.com/

On the drive home tonight, from work, I caught the very last minutes of The Show on X-Radio (MLB Home Plate) with Rob Dibble and Kevin Kennedy.

At that time, Kevin Kennedy was addressing a caller who had some thoughts on the Mitchell Report.

I was pretty surprised at what Kennedy had to say there. In wanting to make a point about the Mitchell Report not being the all-inclusive bible of naming PED users, Kevin Kennedy said that a current colleague of his, who was with the Boston Red Sox in 2004, told him that he (the colleague) witnessed, for a fact, a member of the '04 Red Sox injecting himself in the buttocks with a needle full of PEDs. Kennedy said that the user is no longer a member of the Red Sox - but, he was a player on the team that won the ring in 2004. As per Kennedy, his colleague said that the "user" was giving a demo (to the "colleague") on how to do the injection.

It's pretty interesting that Kennedy would throw this out there, in the last few minutes of a radio broadcast. I wonder if anyone will pick up on it? Too bad George Mitchell missed this one.

Ht : Waswatching.com

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/teamReport?categoryId=71588&type=InsideSlant



Inside Pitch | Notes and Quotes | Roster Report
Boston's front office isn't likely to expend much energy discussing contract extensions for young players like first baseman Kevin Youkilis and closer Jonathan Papelbon before spring training.

But don't count out the Sox getting something cooking with catcher Jason Varitek as he enters the final season of his contract and the Sox still find themselves in search of his heir apparent.

Doug Mirabelli might return to the Sox for another season as Varitek's backup and Tim Wakefield's personal backstop, but, obviously, the 37-year-old isn't the answer if Varitek gets hurt or moves on after this season. Kevin Cash impressed the Sox with his handling of Wakefield's knuckler and his overall defensive game when he was called up from Class AAA Pawtucket last season, and he was invited again to spring training on a minor league deal.

Neither player is the long term answer, however.

The Sox front office doesn't have to look far to imagine what things would be like without Varitek behind the plate. His knee injury was the biggest factor contributing to the team's late season collapse in 2006.

"I don't know that we can measure the effect (Varitek) has had on this pitching staff because it has been immense," pitching coach John Farrell said last season. "His ability (is) to not only execute a game plan that we've devised through scouting reports, through our own personal history or through the many other avenues available to us, but to also tailor it within the game depending on what's working effectively for a pitcher that night. He's the most valuable member of our pitching staff."

Varitek directed super-agent Scott Boras to deal strictly with the Sox during his first free agency run in 2004, and the Sox and Boras hammered out a four-year, $40 million contract. Perhaps Varitek again will advise his representation to deal exclusively with the Sox and attach two more years and $20 more million onto the back end of the contract.

The heart and soul of the Sox pitching staff and defense and a serviceable offensive catcher who declines in the second half of the season, 'Tek has proved his worth in a baseball world where good catching is hard to find.

http://www.khou.com/sports/stories/khou080110_cc_mcnamee.da2e0ac.html


08:43 PM CST on Thursday, January 10, 2008

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Roger Clemens' accuser met for about three hours Thursday with federal prosecutors investigating performance-enhancing drugs in sports.


Brian McNamee, the pitcher's former trainer, talked with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Parrella and IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky about the events that led up to his phone call last week with the seven-time Cy Young Award winner, a person familiar with the session said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose details.

The meeting took place at the office of Earl Ward, one of McNamee's lawyers. Parrella and Novitzky, part of the BALCO prosecution team that has indicted Barry Bonds for perjury and obstruction of justice, were in the area for Friday's sentencing of former track star Marion Jones.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3191140


Associated Press

Updated: January 10, 2008, 10:30 PM ET


NEW YORK -- Roger Clemens' accuser met for about three hours Thursday with federal prosecutors investigating performance-enhancing drugs in sports.

Brian McNamee, the pitcher's former trainer, talked with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Parrella and IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky about the events that led up to his phone call last week with the seven-time Cy Young Award winner, a person familiar with the session said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose details.

The meeting took place at the office of Earl Ward, one of McNamee's lawyers. Parrella and Novitzky, part of the BALCO prosecution team that has indicted Barry Bonds for perjury and obstruction of justice, were in the area for Friday's sentencing of former track star Marion Jones.

Clemens and McNamee have been asked to testify Feb. 13 before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Andy Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch, two of Clemens' former teammates, also have been asked to testify along with Kirk Radomski, the former New York Mets clubhouse attendant who pleaded guilty to distributing steroids to major league players.

Jones pleaded guilty in October to lying about her steroid use and lying about a check-fraud scheme. She is to be sentenced in federal court in White Plains.

McNamee told prosecutors and baseball investigator George Mitchell last year that he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone in 1998, 2000 and 2001, an accusation Clemens has denied. Clemens' legal team recorded Friday's 17-minute telephone conversation between the pitcher and McNamee, and they played the recording during their news conference Monday in Houston.

The call did not contain any conclusive evidence as to who was telling the truth.

Richard Emery, one of McNamee's lawyers, declined to comment on Thursday's meeting or even whether it took place.

Clemens sued McNamee for defamation on Sunday in Texas state court. McNamee has held off on filing his own suit against the seven-time Cy Young Award winner.

"We still want to see what he has to say before Congress," Emery said.

Clemens' side has accused McNamee of trying to avoid getting served with the suit.

"Nobody is avoiding service. That is an absolute fabrication," Emery said. "If he has a stupid, incompetent process server, that doesn't mean that Brian is avoiding service."

When the hearing was postponed Wednesday from Jan. 16 to Feb. 13, the committee said it wanted to take depositions from the five. Lawyers for the five are speaking with committee staff about setting up the depositions.

"We've asked to meet with the committee staff and discuss all that, and we're waiting to hear back from them," said Rusty Hardin, Clemens' lawyer.

"We're working on making whatever logistical arrangements are necessary," Emery said.

McNamee has an agreement with prosecutors that no charges would be filed against him as long as he told the truth to them and Mitchell. His lawyers have asked Congress for immunity when he testifies. Clemens' lawyers have said their client will not ask for immunity.

Hardin questioned Wednesday why McNamee was seeking immunity from Congress.

"I think it's disgraceful that Hardin would try and spin the fact that Brian is requesting immunity equal to that which the Northern District of California already has given him," Emery said. "Brian has forthrightly and honestly admitted distributing steroids and has thereby subjected himself potentially to federal prosecution for which he is asking for immunity and for which has received immunity from the Northern District of California. Before he testifies in Congress, he has to be sure that he has the equivalent protection, but he's not asking for any protection from perjury."

Also, union head Donald Fehr said that there had been a preliminary discussion with management about the Mitchell Report's recommendations.

"Nothing substantive," Fehr said.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

Yankee DOCTOR says ROG didnt do roids




http://www.khou.com/sports/astros/stories/khou080108_tj_clemensdoc.2f12e5b.html

Via KHOU.com -

Dr. Fran Pirozzolo started his sports psychology practice in the mid-1980s.

He's counseled many big name athletes since then. He was the Astros team psychologist when Darryl Kile pitched his no-hitter and he worked with the Texans the team?s first four years.

However, from 1996 thru 2002, Pirozzolo was with the Yankees. Moreover, for three seasons he lockered beside Roger Clemens.

?I was with him a lot and I never saw anything illicit take place,? Pirozzolo said.

He said he used to play golf and workout with Clemens. He even took injections of B-12 and painkiller at the same time as him.

But he never saw anything involving steroids.

?Because of our close relationship, I would think he would have shared that with me, like some young players did,? said Pirozzolo. ?And I would always tell them no.?

Pirozzolo maintains when Pettitte says he took human growth hormone, he was actually rehabbing at Yankee headquarters in Tampa:

?If he had any idea it was illegal, he wouldn't have done it,? said Pirozzolo. ?That guy, he's so straight, he wouldn't even drink Red Bull.?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

and COngress Delays...for deposition, romanski sentence (not for "lying"), and more evidence...also looking into espn's coverage and delayed tape (evidence)

A lawyer for McNamee said Wednesday his client wants immunity from the House committee. Hardin said Clemens will not request immunity."

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3188417&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines





also...JAYS CHIROPRACTER SAYS ROG WASNT ON ROIDS TOO

these are uncontested witnesses

their expert opinions will be evidence and CAN NOT be underminded by ANY JUDGE

http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/giants/archives/2008/01/to_practices_wi.html

Jerry Jones said Terrell Owens' availability Sunday is a "very legitimate game-time decision," and would be weighed against a risk of Owens not being available for future games, a statement that certainly will interest the Giants New York Giants .

"We know how critical this game is. Nothing else happens if we don't win this game," Jones said. "On the other hand, his availability will be determined to, probably a large part, about what kind of risk is involved about not having him for later games."

Owens (high ankle sprain) returned to practice today, and dallascowboys.com reported that he looked "pretty comfortable running routes in the brief portion open to the media."

"I thought that he moved well and ran at the level that we were practicing," Jones said. "It is a decision that needs to be made at game time."

Owens hurt the ankle in the next-to-last regular-season game, against Carolina. He did not play in the finale against the Redskins, and the Cowboys had a bye last weekend.

"It's really relative to, is one play worth not having him if you should make it to the next game, and to the next game not having him again," Jones said. "Is one play worth that? ... No. No.

"That, to me, is the decision Wade (Phillips, coach) will make relative to how effective he can be in the game."

Jones said there could be a "dramatic difference" in Owens' health a week from Sunday, when the NFC Championship would be played.

"But make no mistake about it, [this] Sunday is the major point of emphasis," Jones said. "Any decision will be made risking most anything to have success Sunday."

Phillips repeated numerous times that T.O. was "limited" in practice, yet did not refer to his availability for future games. Owens did not speak to the media.

"He was limited in practice, but having him back out there helped the atmosphere, as far as practice was concerned," Phillips said.

Phillips said Owens warmed up, took part in drills and ran routes. Members of the media noticed sometimes he was limping and other times he wasn't.

"He did some team stuff, he sure did, but it was limited, what we did," Phillips said.

The coach was very guarded -- some called him "coy" -- about Owens' status for Sunday.

"He had some trouble with some cuts; he looked OK," Phillips said. "We're not deciding [if he will play] today anyway."

The Giants have said they expect Owens will play.

"Whether he does or not, that's what they have to plan for," Phillips said.

"I hope he gets better; it would bode well for us. If he doesn't, we'll have to see.

"I don't think it would be a surprise if he plays, but it would be a nice present."

Phillips said WR Terry Glenn was "doing better," and that DL Demarcus Ware was excused for a family, medical matter but is expected back tomorrow.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/11/sports/baseball/11chass.html?_r=1&ref=baseball&oref=slogin

The most popular baseball game of the winter seems to be endless. If it were being played in July, it would be in extra innings, and the innings would be whizzing by with no end in sight.


This is very likely how Twins pitcher Johan Santana feels. He is the game, and he eagerly awaits the outcome so that he will know where to go for spring training — Tampa, Fort Myers or Port St. Lucie. Those cities are in Florida, but different airports serve them. To which one should Santana buy a ticket?

Peter Greenberg, Santana’s agent, said he had told the Twins that Santana would like to have his situation settled before spring training.

Bill Smith, the Minnesota general manager, didn’t confirm that conversation Thursday, but he said: “Peter Greenberg and Santana have been phenomenal through this whole process. They’ve been patient. They understand it’s a big deal to them and it’s a big deal to the Minnesota Twins.”

Other than acknowledging that something is happening, Smith has declined to discuss his efforts to trade Santana. But he has spent much of the last 10 weeks trying to get a deal that would make it palatable to trade Santana, who could wind up in Boston, in the Bronx or in Queens.

•

The Yankees and the Red Sox have been portrayed as the pitcher’s chief pursuers, but their inability to consummate a deal indicates that either they aren’t willing to give the Twins the package of players they want or the Twins won’t accept the packages they are offering.

The Mets have been lurking in the background, waiting for such a circumstance to develop, but they don’t seem to be in any better position than the Yankees or the Red Sox, despite a report Thursday in the Minneapolis newspaper The Star Tribune.

People with the Mets and the Yankees suspect that the report, which said the Mets “might be the best fit,” was an idea generated by the Twins in an effort to induce the Yankees to move. General managers have been known to use reporters to stir another team’s interest.

The Yankees, after all, compete with the Mets as well as the Red Sox and have to guard their flank as carefully as they do their front.

Still, there is no question that Omar Minaya, the Mets’ general manager, covets Santana. Who wouldn’t?

Right now, the Mets’ starting rotation has Pedro Martínez, John Maine, Oliver Pérez, Orlando Hernández and Mike Pelfrey. Maybe they could get by with that group, maybe not. But if Santana were in there, Mets fans might forget last season’s September swoon.

A member of the Twins organization said that a month ago the Mets were barely mentioned in internal discussions about Santana, because they didn’t seem to have enough talent to trade. That assessment lends credence to the idea that a game within the game may be afoot.

The Star Tribune report said the Mets had offered pitchers Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra, as well as outfielder Carlos Gómez. But a Mets official said they had made no offer, only discussed players in the context of what kinds of players the Twins were seeking — major league-ready players or minor league prospects.

The newspaper report suggested that the deal would be done if the Mets put a fifth player, Fernando Martínez, an outfield prospect, in the package. But the Mets won’t give the Twins five players any more than they would give them José Reyes, whom the Twins wanted. A deal would already have been made had the Mets been willing to trade Reyes.

The Yankees’ interest in a Santana trade is uncertain. There has been an internal division among Yankees executives, and on Thursday Hank Steinbrenner, the leading (perhaps lone) proponent of a Santana deal, said he was leaning against it.

“I’m starting to wonder myself,” he said in a telephone interview. “I’m starting to waver. Would we want him? Of course. But it would be a tall order.” He referred to the combined price of a player package and a new contract.

•

Steinbrenner, the club’s top-ranking executive, said he did not want the Twins to think the Yankees were completely out of the picture, but he said their offer of four players, including Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera, was no longer available for the taking.

“I think they like our offer best,” he said. “But that offer isn’t on the table, where it’s up to them to take it. It’s up to what we want to do.”

Santana, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, has indicated he would accept a trade to any of the three teams.

He has said privately that he was intrigued by the idea of playing in the National League and possibly winning a couple of Cy Young awards in the N.L. to go with his two in the American League.

On the other hand, the Red Sox hold spring training in Fort Myers, where Santana is building a home.

The club that gets Santana will have to sign him to a contract extension or allow him to become a free agent after next season. His asking price will be steep — six or seven years for $25 million a year and a signing bonus to waive his no-trade clause and effectively increase his 2008 salary of $13.25 million to current market value.

The game goes on.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/11/sports/baseball/11chass.html?_r=1&ref=baseball&oref=slogin

“I’m starting to wonder myself,” he said in a telephone interview. “I’m starting to waver. Would we want him? Of course. But it would be a tall order.” He referred to the combined price of a player package and a new contract.

Steinbrenner, the club’s top-ranking executive, said he did not want the Twins to think the Yankees were completely out of the picture, but he said their offer of four players, including Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera, was no longer available for the taking.

“I think they like our offer best,” he said. “But that offer isn’t on the table, where it’s up to them to take it. It’s up to what we want to do.”

Santana, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, has indicated he would accept a trade to any of the three teams.

He has said privately that he was intrigued by the idea of playing in the National League and possibly winning a couple of Cy Young awards in the N.L. to go with his two in the American League.

The club that gets Santana will have to sign him to a contract extension or allow him to become a free agent after next season. His asking price will be steep — six or seven years for $25 million a year and a signing bonus to waive his no-trade clause and effectively increase his 2008 salary of $13.25 million to current market value.