Associated Press
NEW YORK ó Roger Clemens apologized Monday for unspecified mistakes in his personal life, a statement Brian McNameeís lawyers intend to use to attack the pitcherís credibility at trial.
The Daily News reported last week Clemens had a decade-long relationship with country star Mindy McCready that began when she was 15 and an aspiring singer. The newspaper also linked the seven-time Cy Young Award winner to former Manhattan bartender Angela Moyer and Paulette Dean Daly, a former wife of champion golfer John Daly.
Clemens denied having an affair with a 15-year-old but didnít specifically address whether he had a romance with McCready.
iEven though these articles contain many false accusations and mistakes, I need to say that I have made mistakes in my personal life for which I am sorry,î Clemens said in a statement issued by spokesman Patrick Dorton. iI have apologized to my family and apologize to my fans. Like everyone, I have flaws. I have sometimes made choices which have not been right.î
The apology was first reported by the Houston Chronicle.
McNamee, Clemensí former trainer, accused the pitcher in Decemberís Mitchell Report of using performance-enhancing drugs in 1998, 2000 and 2001, before players and owners agreed to ban them from baseball.
Clemens, a 354-game winner, has repeatedly denied using steroids and human growth hormone. The defamation suit is being contested in federal court in Houston.
NBA
PHOENIX ó The Phoenix Suns granted permission for coach Mike DíAntoni to talk to other teams, with the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks apparently the leading suitors.
General manager Steve Kerr confirmed Monday that DíAntoni can speak with other NBA teams about coaching vacancies but indicated he still wants to persuade the coach to stay with the Suns.
NFL
CHICAGO ó Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson believes officers used excessive force against him and plans to fight charges he operated a boat while intoxicated and resisted arrest on a Texas lake over the weekend.
iHe denies that he was intoxicated,î attorney Brian Carney said Monday. iHe denies that he resisted arrest.î
n ATLANTA ó Atlanta Falcons linebacker Michael Boley was charged with battery after his wife accused him of becoming iphysicalî after an argument.