Sosa May Be Called at Clemens Trial

Former Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa could be among the witnesses called to testify in the perjury trial of pitching great Roger Clemens.

The two men have something in common: both vehemently deny using performance enhancing drugs during their time in the league.

Prosecutors and the defense, Wednesday, read the jury pool a list of people who may be called as witnesses or mentioned at the trial. The list included some of the biggest names in baseball, including others who have been at the center of the steroid scandal, such as Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco. The list also included baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman, former Yankees manager Joe Torre, former players' union director Donald Fehr and several other officials and teammates from the four major league teams Clemens played for.

Jurors were asked about their knowledge of those figures as well as their feelings about the case, baseball, Congress and principles of criminal law. They were asked whether they had scientific training, played organized sports or were baseball fans. One public relations consultant was not. "I can't imagine spending money to watch a sport where guys scratch themselves and spit a lot," she said, drawing a smile from Clemens, who otherwise sat expressionless through most of the proceedings.

The woman said she could still be fair to Clemens, quipping that she doesn't consider spitting and scratching crimes. She was qualified to serve along with five others Wednesday. In addition to Bradley, others excused were a woman with medical issues and another who said she couldn't be gone from work for the duration of the trial.

U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton said he hopes to wrap up jury selection Tuesday morning.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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