Baseball : Affidavit unsealed in Grimsley case
Jose Canseco, Lenny Dykstra and Rafael Palmeiro were among nine players accused of doping by former major league pitcher Jason Grimsley in a federal agent’s affidavit unsealed Thursday.
Roger Clemens wasn’t one of them, despite a published report last year that singled him out. He was, however, prominently mentioned in last week’s Mitchell Report on doping.
Grimsley accused Canseco, Dykstra, Glenallen Hill and Geronimo Berroa of taking steroids.
He also accused Chuck Knoblauch of using human growth hormone; David Segui and Allen Watson of using performance-enhancing drugs; and Palmeiro and Pete Incaviglia of taking amphetamines, according to IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky’s sworn statement.
All but Incaviglia, Berroa and Watson were mentioned last week in the Mitchell Report.
At the request of federal prosecutors, a judge in Phoenix unsealed the 20-page affidavit signed by Novitzky in May 2006 used to obtain a search warrant for Grimsley’s home in Scottsdale, Ariz.
When the affidavit first was released in June 2006, players’ names were blacked out.
The Associated Press asked a federal magistrate judge to make the complete statement public, but the request was denied this July.
In October 2006, the Los Angeles Times reported the names of Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts and Jay Gibbons were among those blacked out.
Tejada’s name was mentioned when Grimsley described a conversation he had with Baltimore Orioles teammates Tejada, Palmeiro and Sammy Sosa about how they would play after baseball banned amphetamines.
Segui said last year that his name was in the affidavit.
Just after the newspaper’s report was published, Kevin Ryan, then the U.S. Attorney in San Francisco, said it contained “significant inaccuracies.”
On Thursday, the Times said it would run a correction in today’s paper.
“We acknowledge the inaccuracies of the report and deeply regret the mistake,” Times spokesman Stephan Pechdimaldji said.
Tigers, Willis reach terms
Dontrelle Willis agreed to a $29 million, three-year contract with the Detroit Tigers, two weeks after he was acquired from the Florida Marlins in the most significant trade during the off-season.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to accomplish this and keep him a part of our organization for a lengthy period,” Tigers president Dave Dombrowski said.
Willis and All-Star third baseman Miguel Cabrera were obtained from Florida for six prospects, including outfielder Cameron Maybin and left-handed pitcher Andrew Miller.
“I want to thank you guys for believing in me,” Willis said. “I’m eager to join an already great ballclub, and hopefully I can help bring a world championship to the club.”
The 2003 National League Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, Willis is coming off a down season in which he went 10-15 with a 5.17 earned-run average.
His deal allows him to make an additional $1.5 million in award bonuses.
Willis joins a rotation that already included Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers and Jeremy Bonderman as Detroit tries to reach the World Series again after losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006.
Clearing the bases
Left-handed reliever Ron Mahay and the Kansas City Royals finalized an $8 million, two-year contract. The 36-year-old, who will earn $4 million annually, was 3-0 with a 2.55 ERA in 67 innings last season with Texas and the Atlanta Braves, who acquired him on July 31 with first baseman Mark Teixeira. … Outfielder Geoff Jenkins agreed to a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, giving the defending National League East champions a veteran to help make up for the departure of All-Star Aaron Rowand to San Francisco. The 33-year-old Jenkins hit .255 with 21 home runs and 64 RBIs in 132 games last season for the Milwaukee Brewers.