MLB roundup: Clemens takes issue with new book

? Roger Clemens tried the silent treatment for more than a year and saw where that got him.

With many fans believing allegations that the seven-time Cy Young Award winner used performance-enhancing drugs, he’s now attempting a different strategy. Clemens hired a firm that guides high-profile figures through public relations crises, and Tuesday he broke his silence with a radio appearance.

Clemens again denied that former personal trainer Brian McNamee injected him with performance-enhancing drugs in a phone interview on ESPN’s “Mike & Mike in the Morning.”

“He’s never injected me with HGH or steroids,” Clemens said of McNamee’s assertions to baseball investigator George Mitchell.

About three weeks ago, Clemens met in Houston with representatives from Washington-based Levick Strategic Communications. Levick senior vice president Gene Grabowski said Clemens was referred by his lawyers and agents.

“Because of the litigation, he felt obligated on advice of counsel not to speak,” Grabowski said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “What he learned in that year was that by not speaking no one was going to tell his story.”

Recalled Clemens, “They came in and said, ‘You need to get your story out about all this garbage that is being said.'”

Clemens said he chose to speak out Tuesday because it was the release date of a book about his alleged drug use.

“It’s important for me to do that,” he said. “I’ve seen excerpts of the book and they’re completely false. … You know, guys, it’s piling on. It’s hurtful at times. But I’m moving on.”

Yankees monitoring wind

New York — The Yankees are monitoring the wind and home runs at their new ballpark along with the empty seats close to the field, but they plan no changes. Chief operating officer Lonn Trost said Tuesday more wind studies will be done at the $1.5 billion stadium, but the weather during the first two homestands might have been unusual.

Sox closer Jenks fined

Cleveland — Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks has been fined for throwing a pitch behind a batter. Major League Baseball imposed the penalty Tuesday. It did not disclose the amount. Jenks sailed a fastball in back of Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers on Saturday. Jenks later said the pitch was intentional because he was tired of watching White Sox batters getting hit with no retaliation.

Peanut-free area offered

Camden, N.J. — Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack … except for fans sitting in suite 319. The minor-league Camden Riversharks have designated a peanut-free section at Campbell’s Field to accommodate fans with food allergies.

The special section went into effect Tuesday night when the Riversharks played host to Somerset in the independent Atlantic League.

No peanuts or foods containing peanut products or oils will be offered in that suite, which holds about 25 people. Tickets in that section don’t cost any extra.