Rocket Refused to Address 'Roids Allegations: Mitchell

Roger Clemens twice declined entreaties by George Mitchell to respond to allegations that he had used steroids, USA Today reports. Mitchell said that last summer and fall, as his investigation developed, he sent the players union requests to interview players who faced accusations of drug use. Clemens never responded, Mitchell said.

Clemens said last week that he did not take Mitchell seriously because he was unaware of new allegations from trainer Brian McNamee. His lawyer says the pitcher thought the interveiw requests stemmed from an affidavit by acknowledged steroids user Jason Grimsley that ultimately made no mention of Clemens. "Obviously if I had known what McNamee was saying about me I would have been there,” Clemens said. (More Mitchell Report stories.)