(4-28-08)

Report: Clemens had relationship with Mindy McCready

NEW YORK (AP) - Roger Clemens reportedly had a decade-long
relationship with country star Mindy McCready.
The Daily News of New York reports the relationship began when
she was a 15-year-old aspiring singer and the pitcher was a Boston
Red Sox ace.
Clemens' attorney, Rusty Hardin of Houston, confirms the two had
a long-term relationship but denies it was sexual.
According to the Daily News, Clemens was 28 and a married father
of two when he first met McCready.
The newspaper quotes several unidentified sources as saying
Clemens sent cash to McCready to help her with legal issues. They
also say Clemens reached out to her when she was in jail last year
in Tennessee for violating probation after allegedly hitting her
mother.
The revelation could undermine Clemens' reputation, which is
central to a defamation suit he has filed against former personal
trainer Brian McNamee. McNamee contends Clemens used
performance-enhancing substances during his major league career.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-04-28-08 1132EDT