ROGER'S PREEMPTIVE STRIKE

CLEMENS HAD PLAN BEFORE MITCHELL REPORT

By BRAD HAMILTON

January 6, 2008 -- Roger Clemens' next attempt to clear his name comes tonight on "60 Minutes." But well before the Mitchell Report accused Clemens of using steroids, the pitcher and his advisers were working on a battle plan to save his reputation.

Clemens knew the report would include scandalous allegations by his pal, Brian McNamee, who told investigators he injected the hurler with steroids and human growth hormone multiple times.

Some close to the pitcher advocated a full-out attack even before the report was released on Dec. 13. The idea was to leak news of Clemens' alleged steroid use - and use the opportunity to slam McNamee.

The result would have been to question whether the ex-trainer - who has had two drunken-driving arrests, was once accused of rape and faced federal drug charges - could be believed.

But Clemens' lawyer, Rusty Hardin, and his agent, Randy Hendricks, rejected that strategy and instead advised the Rocket to stay quiet and endure the fallout.

That strategy backfired when Andy Pettitte, Clemens close friend and training partner, came out two days later and admitted he twice took human growth hormone, supplied by McNamee.

Pettitte's statement was followed by a public appeal from Lance Berkman, Clemens ex-teammate, that the Rocket come clean - and by fresh steroid admissions from other players.

When Clemens finally denied the accusations on Dec. 18, five days after the report, it was far too late for some of the pitcher's friends and family members.

"He should have issued [his denial] the day the report came out," said a Clemens supporter. Some urged Clemens to dump his lawyer and agent, calling the two "Dumb and Dumber." Clemens' denials also drew the attention of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which has invited Clemens, Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch to testify on Jan. 16. Despite the turmoil, Clemens himself appeared unconcerned.

Interviewed by The Post near his home in Piney Point Village, Texas, on Dec. 18, Clemens smiled and claimed, "I feel great!"

Asked if he took steroids, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner told the reporter and a photographer, "I'm not talking to y'all about it. We'll handle this our way."

The public relations battle this week saw McNamee's side threatening to sue Clemens and both camps claiming to have launched private investigations of the matter.

Neither apparently found anything.

Hardin's partner wouldn't say if he had uncovered new evidence and McNamee's lawyer, Richard Emery, asked what he had done to prepare for a possible suit against Clemens, answered, "nothing." Clemens will follow his interview tonight with a news conference in downtown Houston tomorrow. A spokesman for Clemens' attorney said the meeting with the media will go on as planned, despite Congress' new involvement.

Meanwhile, Newsday reported today that Clemens and McNamee had an "emotional" phone conversation Friday, their first since the Mitchell Report was released. It was not known who initiated the phone call.

News source：http://www.nypost.com/seven/01062008/sports/yankees/rogers_preemptive_strike_149153.htm