Ex-Yankee Knoblauch Talks to Congress

[February 02, 2008]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Chuck Knoblauch came to Congress toting his toddler Friday, and the former major leaguer met for about 1 1/2 hours with lawyers from a House committee investigating drug use in baseball.

Knoblauch, the 1991 AL Rookie of the Year and one of more than 80 players linked to performance-enhancing drugs in the Mitchell Report, did not reveal what he was asked or what he said.

Asked by a reporter whether there were questions about himself or other players, Knoblauch replied, "I only know about myself."

A committee staffer told The Associated Press that Knoblauch was asked whether he used performance-enhancing drugs, as alleged in former Senate majority leader George Mitchell's report, and also was asked about former New York Yankees teammate Roger Clemens and trainer Brian McNamee.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because staffers are not authorized to make public comments about the specifics of the investigation.

"Everything was fine. He answered all the questions," said Knoblauch's attorney, Diana Marshall.

The closed-door meeting was part of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's preparation for a Feb. 13 public hearing. That session is expected to focus on Clemens' denial of allegations by McNamee, his former personal trainer, that he injected the seven-time Cy Young Award winner with human growth hormone and steroids in 1998, 2000 and 2001. Clemens has denied the allegations repeatedly.

In Mitchell's report, McNamee also said he acquired HGH from former New York Mets clubhouse employee Kirk Radomski for Knoblauch in 2001 - and McNamee said he injected Knoblauch with HGH.

Radomski pleaded guilty in April to federal felony charges of distributing steroids and laundering money. He is scheduled to be sentenced next Friday.

Asked after the interview about his inclusion in the Mitchell Report, which was released in December, Knoblauch said: "It is what it is. I mean, it's an important thing that they're doing here in Congress. I want baseball to be fair and healthy, just like everybody else."

Through a spokeswoman, committee chairman Henry Waxman declined to comment on Knoblauch's Capitol Hill appearance. Keith Ausbrook, Republican general counsel for the committee, also declined to comment.

Congress has pushed baseball to adopt changes to its drug program recommended in the Mitchell Report, and lawyers for the union and owners met this week to discuss those proposals. They hope to meet again next week, depending on the schedule of salary arbitration cases.

Knoblauch, a four-time All-Star who played for the Twins, Yankees and Royals, ended his major league career in 2002, a year after being shifted from second base to the outfield when he developed problems throwing the ball.

He agreed Monday to speak to the committee after a subpoena was issued because he initially failed to respond to an invitation to testify.

Knoblauch arrived Friday shortly before 10 a.m., carrying his 3-year-old son Jake and accompanied by his wife and Marshall. His wife and child did not go into the interview room with him.

"Maybe one day, when he grows up, he won't have worry about drugs in sports," Knoblauch said as he walked through a marble hallway in the Rayburn House Office Building afterward. "That's why I have him here today, to learn a very valuable lesson: If you do something in life, be prepared to talk about it open and honestly. That's it. That's all I have to say."

Current Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte, who acknowledged after the Mitchell Report came out that McNamee injected him with HGH twice, is slated to meet with committee lawyers Monday, followed the next day by Clemens' scheduled appearance. McNamee is to appear Thursday, and Radomski on Feb. 12. Those appearances all were announced by the committee.

At least one unannounced interview has taken place. On Thursday, an employee of the sports agency that represents Clemens and Pettitte spoke to committee lawyers.

The agent, Jim Murray, was mentioned several times in a recorded conversation between Clemens and McNamee that the pitcher played at a news conference last month.

"Mr. Murray cooperated fully with the committee," his lawyer, Lawrence Finder, said in a telephone interview Friday.

Knoblauch's initial silence when invited to speak to the committee prompted lawmakers to issue a subpoena, but federal marshals were unable to track him down right away. Knoblauch eventually did make contact, the subpoena was withdrawn, and his interview was rescheduled for Friday.

As they headed to the exit, Knoblauch told his son to say, "Hi!" to the dozens of cameras tracking them.

Knoblauch then was asked if he plans to testify at the Feb. 13 hearing.

"I don't know," he said. "I'll be here if they tell me to be here."

[Associated Press; By HOWARD FENDRICH]

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