WASHINGTON — Roger Clemens’ high-profile perjury trial opened Wednesday with each side raising the prospect of calling a roster of former baseball stars as witnesses and the judge angrily criticizing Congress for withholding an audiotape of Clemens’ deposition at the heart of the case.
Clemens is accused of lying under oath to the House Government Reform Committee in 2008 when he denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs during his record-setting career as a pitcher. The trial began with an intensive jury selection process expected to last into next week.
Prosecutors and the defense read the panel a list of people who may be called as witnesses or mentioned at the trial. It included some of the biggest names in baseball, among them players who have been at the center of the steroid scandal such as Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco.
Also on the list were baseball commissioner Bud Selig, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, former Yankees manager Joe Torre, former players union director Donald Fehr and several other officials and teammates from the four major-league teams Clemens played for.
Lester goes on disabled list
BOSTON — The Red Sox put left-hander Jon Lester, 10-4 with a 3.31 ERA, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained muscle in his back.
The team recalled reliever Scott Atchison from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Lester’s place on the roster.
Footnotes.
Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said he was planning to use Joe Mauer at first base — for the first time in his major-league career — when the Twins play the White Sox in Chicago today.
• Rays designated hitter Johnny Damon left the game at Minnesota with a bruised left hand after being hit with a pitch by Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano.
• Indians first baseman Matt LaPorta was activated from the DL after missing more than two weeks because of a sprained ankle.
• Brandon Webb likely will not pitch for the Rangers this season after experiencing more pain in his surgically repaired right rotator cuff.
The Associated Press
