McNamee spouse testifies for pitcher
On a day in which the judge lost his temper twice with Roger Clemens’ lawyers, the defense turned Wednesday to Eileen McNamee, the estranged wife of Brian McNamee, who was the ex-trainer to former ace pitcher Clemens.
This was the woman who McNamee testified harangued him with the words “You’re going to go down! You’re going to go down! You’re going to go down!” — pestering him until he saved medical waste from an alleged steroids injection of Clemens so that he wouldn’t be the fall guy in any sort of drug investigation.
She said McNamee didn’t tell her back then that he was injecting Clemens, and that she wasn’t especially bothered by the time her husband spent away from home working with the seven-time Cy Young Award winner.
Clemens is charged with lying when he told Congress in 2008 that he never used steroids or human growth hormone. Brian McNamee is the only witness to claim firsthand knowledge of Clemens using those substances.
The government will get a chance to cross-examine Eileen McNamee today.
CURTIS HEARING SET
Former major league outfielder Chad Curtis will face a key court hearing in two weeks on charges he touched two female students at a Michigan high school where he was in line to become football coach.
Curtis, 43, is charged with five counts of criminal sexual conduct. He appeared Wednesday in Barry County District Court for a preliminary hearing.
A judge set aside June 22 as the date for the probable cause hearing that will determine whether the defendant is ordered to stand trial.
MOYER SIGNS DEAL
The Baltimore Orioles signed left-hander Jamie Moyer to a minor-league deal Wednesday, and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk.
The Colorado Rockies released Moyer, 49, late last month, a little over a month after he became the oldest pitcher to win as a starter.
Moyer is expected to start for Norfolk on Saturday against Buffalo.
Over his 24-year career, Moyer has pitched for Seattle, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, St. Louis, Texas and the Chicago Cubs.
SHORT HOPS
Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka is expected to start Saturday against the Nationals, one day short of a year after he had reconstructive elbow surgery. … Yankees closer Mariano Rivera said the blood clot in his right calf has cleared up and he will have surgery on his injured knee Tuesday. … The Diamondbacks have placed first baseman Lyle Overbay, from Centralia, on the paternity list and recalled outfielder A.J. Pollock from Triple-A Reno. … White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko was sidelined for a second successive game. … The Phillies have activated Jim Thome from the disabled list and sent infielder Pete Orr to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. … Tigers catcher Alex Avile was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain. … The Mets activated outfielder Jason Bay, from Gonzaga, from the 15-day disabled list. Bay had spent six weeks on the DL because of a rib fracture. The team also placed right-handed pitcher Chris Young on the paternity list.
