Knoblauch subpoenaed in baseball steroids inquiry

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has issued a subpoena for Chuck Knoblauch as part of its wide-ranging investigation into the use of performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball.

Under the subpoena, the former Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees second baseman will have to appear at a deposition regarding allegations in former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell’s (D-Maine) report that examined the use of steroids and other drugs by baseball players.

{mosads}The report said Knoblauch acquired human growth hormone (HGH) through his former trainer, Brian McNamee. McNamee said he injected the player seven to nine times with HGH during the early portion of the 2001 season, according to Mitchell’s report.

In issuing the subpoena, the committee’s chairman and ranking member said they did so because the 1991 American League Rookie of the Year did not respond to their invitation to testify or appear at a deposition.

“The Committee has taken this step because Mr. Knoblauch failed to respond to the invitation to participate voluntarily in a deposition or transcribed interview and the Feb. 13 hearing,” said Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) in a joint statement.

Pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte are slated to testify at the Feb. 13 hearing as well, along with McNamee and former New York Mets clubhouse employee Kirk Radomski.

Last week, the committee released letters sent to Knoblauch and others inviting them to testify at the Feb. 13 hearing.