Roger Clemens gives 1st interview since being indicted on charges he lied to Congress

Roger Clemens gives 1st interview

BOSTON — In his first public comments in the media since being indicted on federal charges that he lied to Congress in 2008 about being injected with human growth hormone and steroids, former Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens told radio station WEEI in Boston that he is looking forward to having his say in court.

Clemens, who said he was “doing fine,” spoke with the station Friday during the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Telethon.

He talked extensively about his introduction into the Jimmy Fund, which he was first made aware of in 1984, before talking briefly about the news of his indictment.

“I’m not going to get into details,” Clemens said. “All I’m going to say is that I learned a lot through what happened, and what did not happen. We’re going to deal with it. I don’t know what else to say. We’re going to deal with it and have our day.”

Clemens was asked if he was taken by surprise by Thursday’s federal indictment.

“It wasn’t really a surprise,” he said. “I got my eyes opened up quite a bit … I sent it out in a Tweet, thought that was the best way to go about it.”

Clemens said that he wasn’t going to go into hiding, and kept reiterating, “We’ll get to have our say.”

Asked if he was worried about not making the Hall of Fame, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner said, “I didn’t play the game to go to the Hall of Fame. It’s a tremendous honor. I played the game because I was taking care of my family.”

Clemens said he does not talk to New York pitcher Andy Pettitte, his former teammate with the Yankees and Astros.