Clemens Says Trainer Injected Lidocaine, B-12
NEW YORK (WBZ) ”• In an interview with “60 Minutes” that will air this weekend, Roger Clemens admits his former trainer Brian McNamee injected him – but not with steroids. He claims the injections were the painkiller lidocaine and the vitamin B-12.
Clemens was the biggest name in the report issued last month by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell that detailed the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.
Clemens has denied using performance-enhancing substances. He did so again in the interview with Mike Wallace, which was recorded last Friday at Clemens’ home in Katy, Texas.
Wallace asked Clemens if McNamee had ever injected him with any drugs.
“Lidocaine and B-12,” he said. “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.
Mitchell wrote McNamee said he injected Clemens with steroids in 1998 while with the Toronto Blue Jays, and steroids and human growth hormone in 2000 and 2001, while with the New York Yankees.
The Rocket won Cy Young Awards in 1998 and 2001.
Baseball players and owners did not have an agreement to ban steroids until September 2002, and they didn’t ban HGH until January 2005.
In the interview with Wallace, Clemens called McNamee’s accusation “ridiculous” and says he “never” used any banned substances.
“Swear?” asked Wallace. “[I] swear,” said Clemens.
Clemens issued a video statement on Dec. 23 denying the accusations and plans to hold a news conference Monday.