Duel on the Hill

Age: 45. College: Texas. Hometown: Katy, Texas

Denied claims made by McNamee to investigators working for former Sen. George Mitchell that he had used steroids and human growth hormone. Clemens maintains he received injections only of vitamin B-12 and pain-relieving lidocaine from McNamee.

Could face perjury investigation if Congress or Justice Department officials come away unsatisfied with the legitimacy of his denials of drug use.

Quick facts

How he got here

The risks today

Before they met

Won four Cy Young Awards (1986, 1987, 1991, 1997) and compiled a 213-118 record in 14 major league seasons with the Boston Red Sox (1984-1996) and Toronto Blue Jays (1997). He led the Red Sox to the 1986 World Series and pitched in the playoffs in 1988, 1990 and 1995.

Money

Baseball earnings between 1998 and 2007 were $119.9 million, as he compiled a 141-66 record after meeting McNamee.

Family ties

After a McNamee attorney said the trainer felt betrayed by an audiotape replay, the New York Daily News reported McNamee told congressional investigators he injected the pitcher’s wife, Debbie, with HGH before her 2003 Sports Illustrated bikini shoot.

Odd moments

During his Jan. 7 news conference denying McNamee’s claims, Clemens became so agitated that his attorney, Rusty Hardin, handed him a note asking him to “Lighten up.” Minutes later, Clemens finished talking and left in a huff.

Legal teams

Hardin, a veteran attorney who defended Arthur Andersen LLP against charges that it shredded Enron documents, and once grilled Anna Nicole Smith about the sincerity of her love for late billionaire J. Howard Marshall II; Lanny Breuer, former special counsel to President Clinton who represented him in impeachment hearings.

Quotable

At Jan. 7 news conference: “I don’t need the Hall of Fame to justify that I put my butt on the line and I worked my tail off, and I defy anybody to say I did it by cheating or taking any shortcuts.”

Quick facts

Age: 40. College: St. John’s. Hometown: Breezy Point, N.Y.

How he got here

Entered into written agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s office in San Francisco to provide truthful statements to the government and Mitchell about his role as a performance-enhancing drug customer of former New York Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski, who pleaded guilty to distribution.

The risks today

If it’s established he’s being untruthful, he could face prosecution for lying to a federal agent and/or Congress, both felonies.

Before they met

Was a New York City police officer from 1990 to 1993, then had stints as the New York Yankees bullpen catcher and batting practice pitcher (1993-94), and as a private trainer (1995-98).

Money

He told Mitchell he was “always ahead [financially] with Roger,” receiving expense money from Clemens’ business representatives, along with training fees and “extra money.” Yet, he told Clemens in a telephone conversation that he was “broke.”

Family ties

In the Houston-area news conference that followed his appearance denying McNamee’s claims on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” Clemens played a tape recording of a phone call he’d had with McNamee after the pitcher said he heard McNamee’s young son was “sick and dying.” McNamee continually asked Clemens, “What do you want me to do?”

Odd moments

The New York Daily News reported last week that McNamee saved old syringes that he claimed to have used in his steroid injections of Clemens for several years, storing them in a Miller Lite can.

Legal teams

Richard Emery, civil rights attorney, formed New York law firm; Earl Ward, attorney in Emery firm; Mark Paoletta, senior White House official in investigations by the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Office of Special Counsel; David Miller, head of civil litigation law firm in Houston.

Quotable

In call taped by Clemens: “I don’t have any money. I have nothing. I’m not doing a book deal. I got offered seven figures to go on TV. . . . I didn’t take it. . . . All I did was what I thought was right.”