Canseco Challenges A-Rod to a Fight

I'm sure nobody cares, but I found this story funny. Mainly because it's amazing how pathetic Jose Canseco has become.

Canseco, who has taken to the celebrity boxing matches in his post-baseball career, called out the Yankee slugger while in Springfield, Mass., to promote his match Friday night against Pittsfield, Mass., fighter Todd Poulton.

Canseco has long professed a dislike for Rodriguez, who Canseco wrote about in his 2008 book "Vindicated," the followup to his 2005 steroid tell-all "Juiced." In "Vindicated," Canseco said he introduced Rodriguez to a steroid dealer and that Rodriguez repaid the favor by coming on to Canseco's wife, Jessica, in the late '90s.

When Canseco was asked by Masslive.com at the weigh-in which baseball player he would most like to box, Canseco said: "Who I would love to fight the most if I could pick a baseball player - Alex Rodriguez get your ass into the ring, I'll beat you to a pulp."

...

Canseco ended his comments with a smile. "That lying little idiot," he said. "I'd like to get him in the ring."

I'm pretty sure the only ring A-Rod is thinking about right now is the one he just won on the field.

Canseco Says Manny Cheated

From Boston.com:

Jose Canseco said he is 90 percent certain that Manny Ramírez's name is on the list of 104 major league players who tested positive for steroids in 2003. Speaking at a forum Friday night at the University of Southern California, Canseco said he believes the reason Ramírez did not receive a long-term contract was because team owners know who is on the list and didn't want to take a chance on the Dodger slugger. "Why didn't Ramírez get a long-term deal?" Canseco asked. "Why were owners gun-shy about signing arguably the game's best hitter?" He said the lack of interest raised red flags, and he told the crowd that Ramírez's "name is most likely, 90 percent" on the list. Canseco did say that he has no way of knowing if Ramírez is on the list. In Sunday's Los Angeles Times, Ramírez said: "I got no comment, nothing to say about that. What can I say? I don't even know the guy."

Before anyone starts with the Canseco is lying dirtbag stuff, I must ask you, who has he accused that turned out to be innocent? Oh right, nobody.

He is a dirtbag, but he hasn't be proven to be a liar yet.

Canseco Warns A-Rod: "I've got the ace in the hole, and he knows it."

From the Daily News (hat tip to WasWatching.com):

It's been a week, of course, since an obscure blog first reported on the juicy parts of "Vindicated." It's been a week since fans learned of Canseco's claims that he introduced A-Rod to a steroid dealer, and that the third baseman returned the favor by trying to sleep with Canseco's then-wife. Canseco is still reveling in the discomfort he's caused Rodriguez. Every awkward "no comment" from A-Rod gives Canseco great glee.

The best part, Canseco says in an exclusive interview at the Omni Berkshire in midtown, is that Rodriguez can't do anything about it. If A-Rod threatens to sue Canseco or goes on "60 Minutes" to attack his credibility, Canseco will respond with "Max," the Canadian steroid dealer he claims to have hooked A-Rod up with in the late 1990s. If Canseco is sued or attacked, Max - up to this point simply known as an unidentified .steroids supplier - will go public with everything he knows about A-Rod, says Canseco. This, Canseco adds, is not a war that A-Rod can win.

"I've got the ace in the hole," Canseco says with a laugh. "And he knows it. So there's no way that he's going to fight me. He's trying to make it go away."

First things first, I believe A-Rod and Canseco spoke about steroids, I believe Canseco may have even introduced A-Rod to the steroid dealer, but I do not necessarily believe A-Rod used steroids. OK, just wanted to get that out of the way.

This is why I questioned A-Rod's "no comment" last week. Even though some Yankees fans thought that this would just go away because "nobody believes Canseco," that just isn't the case. Canseco was on ESPN and Letterman yesterday, and will be on Howard Stern and Keith Olbermann today, as much as people don't want to admit it, people are interesting in what he has to say. This will go on as long as Canseco wants it to go on, he has complete control of the situation.

There is always the chance that Canseco's "ace in the hole" doesn't exist, and that it's just a way for him to keep people interested. Either way it seems like it's working.

Why hasn't A-Rod denied it?

Am I the only person wondering why A-Rod hasn't denied the allegations that Jose Canseco introduced him to a steroid dealer? If I were accused of doing something that I did not do I would say “I didn’t do it,” not, "I really have absolutely no reaction." No reaction? You have no reaction to a someone saying they introduced you to a steroid dealer? Really?!? To me, that’s a very strange way to respond.

Wednesday, Rodriguez told reporters "It's over as far as I'm concerned, no further comment on the matter. I'm just excited to be playing baseball," again, no denials.

On last night's “Nightline,” Canseco said, "Let's see how Alex reacts. Let's see if they all call me a liar again. How's that for you? Let's see if all of a sudden they're going to call me a liar again."

Well everyone is calling Canseco a liar, everyone besides Alex Rodriguez.

Excerpts From Canseco's Vindicated

Earlier today I wrote about Canseco's claims in his new book Vindicated that he introduced Alex Rodriguez to a steroid dealer, and that Rodriguez tried to sleep with his wife. Here are the excerpts from the book that were posted on Deadspin.

When A-Rod was asked about the steroid allegations he said, "I really have absolutely no reaction."

He was also asked about the allegations regarding Canseco's ex-wife and said "I don't know how to answer that."

So he basically said nothing, which was probably the smart move.

Canseco Continues to Defend Clemens

Yesterday USA Today that Roger Clemens' lawyer Rusty Hardin, turned over evidence to congressional lawyers, including an affidavit from Canseco, which supposedly proves Clemens didn't attend Canseco's party.

On Tuesday the AP got a hold of the affidavit. Here are some of Canseco's quotes:

"I have never had a conversation with Clemens in which he expressed any interest in using steroids or human growth hormone. Clemens has never asked me to give him steroids or human growth hormone, and I have never seen Clemens use, possess or ask for steroids or human growth hormone."

"I have played on three teams with Roger Clemens and I have no reason to believe that he has ever used steroids, human growth hormone, or any other performance enhancing drugs."

About the infamous party at Canseco's house: "I specifically recall that Clemens did not come to the bar-b-que. I remember this because I was disappointed that he did not attend. I later learned that he had a golfing commitment that day and could not attend the party."

Canseco: McNamee is a Dirty Liar

From USA Today:

Retired slugger Jose Canseco says Roger Clemens' former trainer, Brian McNamee, lied in the Mitchell Report and is lying when he says Clemens used steroids and human growth hormone.

"Absolutely, he's lying and he's a dirty liar," Canseco said in a phone interview Sunday.

"McNamee is a point-blank liar because Roger never showed up at my house," Canseco said. "It's up to Roger's people to find out why McNamee is saying these things. I think he was pressured by someone into saying them. …

"I'm 1,000% sure Roger never showed up at the party. We didn't talk then."

Canseco, who was a teammate of Clemens with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998, told Mitchell investigators he had "numerous conversations" with the pitcher about Deca-Durabolin and Winstrol and how to use steroids.

Canseco wrote in his 2005 book, Juiced, that he didn't have knowledge of Clemens using steroids but that they discussed the subject.

On Sunday, Canseco said his book is accurate, but he only talked to Clemens jokingly about steroids.

"It was never in a sense that he was serious about using them," Canseco said. "It was very simple. Everyone knew I was on steroids, and when we played golf, I'd hit a ball 400 yards, and he'd say, 'Man, that stuff you're taking must be working.'

"I talked to him and a lot of players and coaches about steroids, but with Roger, it was never about how to seriously use them. It was always in a manner of fooling around."

Canseco said Clemens is a friend and he doesn't think Clemens took steroids. "If he had taken steroids," he said, "he would have gotten them from me, just like everyone else."

I find it very odd that Canseco would discuss Clemens with Senator Mitchell, knowing it would probably lead to Clemens being included in the report, yet now he's defending Roger after the fact. I wonder if Clemens had to pay Canseco off to say these things.... Nah he wouldn't do that, would he?

Then again you never know, Canseco could actually be telling the truth. I can't tell who is telling the truth anymore.

This story is making my head spin.

More From the Mess Known as McNamee V. Clemens

From the AP, via Yahoo:

WASHINGTON - A lawyer for Roger Clemens said Saturday the pitcher can prove he didn't attend a June 1998 party at Jose Canseco's home described by Brian McNamee in the Mitchell Report.

According to McNamee, Clemens first raised the subject of steroids not long after McNamee saw Canseco and Clemens meeting during the party.

Clemens' side has turned over evidence to congressional investigators, including an affidavit from Canseco, to support that the pitcher wasn't present at Canseco's home that day, the attorney, Rusty Hardin, said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

Hardin said video footage from telecasts of baseball games around the time of the party also were given to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. During the telecasts, Hardin said, TV announcers can be heard discussing Canseco's party and noting that Clemens wasn't there.

A person familiar with the committee's investigation confirmed to the AP the affidavit and video were turned over and are in Clemens' favor. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the investigation.

This whole thing has become such a joke -- wives accused, name calling from lawyers, McNamee's troubles with his family being broadcast to the world, seven-year old used rusty needles in Miller Lite cans, did Roger attend a party a decade ago, 60 Minutes, lawsuit/countersuit -- I could go on, but I'm getting a head-ache. I can't wait till this damn thing is over.

Thanks a lot Mr. Selig. Did baseball and its fans really need all this crap just before the new season? Couldn't you have continued to try to clean the game up without embarrassing yourself and the game in the process?

Jose Canseco: Dirtbag

When I heard about this a few days ago I didn't even want to post about it, but since nothing is going on today in Yankee-Land, I'm going to.

Publication of Canseco's second book, Vindicated, hit a snag last week after his original ghost writer Don Yaeger, as well as the original publisher, Berkley Books, withdrew from the the project. But all is well now for Jose, as he's found a replacement, and it seem he found the one person who work with just about anyone, no matter how reprehensible they may be.

From USA Today:

NEW YORK (AP) — Jose Canseco's sequel on steroids, entitled "Vindicated," will be released on March 31.

Canseco is working with Pablo Fenjves, the ghost writer of "If I Did It," in which O.J. Simpson gave an imaginary confession to how he would have killed Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

So you're working with the guy who helped O.J. write his infamous book about how he'd kill Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman if he did it (O.J. you did do it).

But it couldn't get worse, could it? Well sadly, yes it can. Now ESPN is reporting that he tried to extort money from Magglio Ordonez:

NEW YORK -- Jose Canseco offered to keep Magglio Ordonez "clear" in his upcoming book if the Detroit Tigers outfielder invested in a movie project promoted by Canseco, The New York Times reported Wednesday night.

Ordonez decided not to go forward with a complaint, so the FBI didn't open a formal investigation, the newspaper said. Ordonez spoke to Tigers president Dave Dombrowski, who contacted MLB.

"I didn't want to press charges against him," Ordonez was quoted as saying. "I don't want any problems. He is probably desperate for money. I don't understand why he is trying to put people down."

Ordonez, teammates with Canseco on the 2001 Chicago White Sox, said Canseco didn't specifically ask him for cash.

"One of Jose's friends was leaving me messages," Ordonez was quoted as saying. "I told Dombrowski because I didn't know why he was calling me."

Canseco told the paper that neither he nor any associate asked Ordonez for money in exchange for avoiding mention in "Vindicated," which is scheduled for publication March 31.

"Absolutely not," Canseco was quoted as saying.

Canseco said he unsuccessfully attempted to reach Ordonez. Canseco refused to say whether he would implicate Ordonez with performance-enhancing drug use in the book.

Scott Boras, Ordonez's agent, filed a complaint with the FBI after Canseco spoke with a Boras employee and said Ordonez would be "clear" if the outfielder invested in the movie project, the newspaper said.

Magglio may have done steroids, I'm not going say otherwise, nothing would surprise. Well, Jeter and Mo would surprise me. But even if Ordonez did cheat, this just show how much of a lowlife Canseco truly is.

Who knows who might have already paid him off to keep their name out of the first book?

If Canseco wanted to inform people about steroid users in the game, and get back at the game for what he feels is unfair treatment, I have no problem with that. But sadly that's not what this is about. This is only about Jose and his bank account. It's shameful that he would offer to keep a person's name out of his book for money, but then again, shameful is perfect way to describe Jose Canseco.

Isn't B-12 Code for Steroids?

Is Roger trying to pull a quick one over on us? In 'Juiced' Jose Canseco explains how B-12 is locker-room talk for steroids. Here are some excerpts from the book that I found over at the Baseball Steroid Era blog.

Page 211

It was so open, the trainers would jokingly call the steroid injections “B12 shots,” and soon the players had picked up on that little code name, too. You’d hear them saying it out loud in front of each other: “I need to go in and get a B12 shot,” a player would say, and everyone would laugh. (Of course, that was the kind of joke you really only made around other steroid users, because obviously they were in the same boat as you. What were they going to do, tell on you? Not hardly.)

Page 211-212

It was the pitchers that kept the “B12” joke going. For example, I’ve never seen Roger Clemens do steroids, and he never told me that he did. But we’ve talked about what steroids could do for you, in which combinations, and I’ve heard him use the phrase “B12 shot” with respect to others.

A lot of pitchers did steroids to keep up with hitters. If everyone else was getting stronger and faster, then you wanted to get stronger and faster, too. If you were a pitcher, and the hitters were all getting stronger, that made your job that much more difficult. Roger used to talk about that a lot.

Here is a link to audio of Canseco discussing Roger on WEEI's The Big Show the other day.

Problems with Canseco's "Vindicated"

From Christian Red of the NY Daily News:

Jose Canseco's sequel to his 2005 best-seller "Juiced" has hit its first snag.

As the Daily News first reported last weekend, former Bash Brother Canseco has finalized a deal to publish "Vindicated" with Penguin Books, with a planned release date to coincide with Opening Day. But former Sports Illustrated associate editor Don Yaeger, who was scheduled to collaborate with Canseco on the book, has passed on the project. Yaeger said Friday that Canseco does not have the goods on Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez that Canseco alluded to in media interviews last month.

"I'm passing," Yaeger told the Daily News. "I had a chance to review the Jose Canseco (material) that he provided me. I don't think there's a book there. I don't know what they're going to do. I don't think he's got what he claims to have, certainly doesn't have what he claims to have on A-Rod.

"There's no meat on the bones."

Robert Saunooke, Canseco's attorney, told the News that the plans to publish "Vindicated" are still going forward, with or without Yaeger.

This tells me the book won't have anything earth-shattering on A-Rod or any other prominent players in it. In other words the book is going to be pointless. Probably just another book about how ball players are wild men off the field, big deal, everyone already knows this.

Canseco to Pen 'Juiced' Sequel

From the NY Daily News:

It has been a most foul holiday season for Bud Selig and Major League Baseball in the wake of the Mitchell Report's release. But the 20-month investigation into the sport's steroid culture — which outed Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte as having used performance enhancers — may pale in comparison to what former Bash Brother Jose Canseco has in store for Opening Day, 2008.

According to his attorney, Canseco has finalized a deal to publish the sequel to his 2005 best-seller "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big," and is targeting the new book's release date to coincide with the start of next season. Happy New Year, Bud.

"We just signed the deal. ‘Vindicated' is still the working title. It's dependent on us delivering a manuscript by January 11. It's up to us now to finish up and get it to them," Robert Saunooke, Canseco's attorney, told the Daily News. Saunooke did not disclose the publisher, but said it would not be HarperCollins, which published "Juiced."

Sadly, I'm probably going to buy the book. Yes, Canseco is a dirt bag, but most of names he mentioned in 'Juiced' turned out to be steroid users, and just because some of the names haven't been verified yet doesn't mean they aren't users. So there's no reason to believe that this book will be filled with lies being that the first book wasn't.

As reported by ESPN, Canseco mentioned on Boston's WEEI a few months ago that in his next book he would be revealing dirt on A-Rod.

Canseco told WEEI-Radio in Boston on Friday that he has "other stuff" on the Yankees slugger, who he called a "hypocrite" who "was not all he appeared to be."

When asked if A-Rod had used steroids, Canseco told WEEI, "Wait and see."

"Jose has information about A-Rod and the Yankees that will be in the book. But, I am not sure if Jose is willing to disclose it at this point," Canseco's lawyer, Robert O. Saunooke, told The New York Times.

I'm hoping it's not steroid related and it just turns out that Alex cheats on his wife a lot. Not that cheating on your wife is a good thing, because it's not, but for A-Rod and the Yankees it would be better if there was nothing linking A-Rod to steroids in this book.

Does anyone else think that MLB regrets black-balling this guy?


By the way, the working title for the book is 'Vindicated'.