Tejada update

by Scott Christ on Jan 16, 2008 6:43 AM EST in News & Rumors Comment 19 comments

Miggi's case isn't perjury -- it's that, according to ESPN legal analyst Roger Kossack, he spoke with a federal agent in 2006, and the agent believes he lied. He compared it to the case of Martha Stewart, and as we all know, she wound up in prison.

Tejada could face 15-21 months in prison if he's found to have lied to the agent. The sports fan in me immediately thinks, "Boy, we traded that guy just in time."

But the human being in me sees Tejada as a somewhat unfortunate cautionary tale. Do I really think Miguel Tejada deserves to wind up in court and face prison time? No, I don't. Outside of speaking with a federal agent and maybe lying when doing so, he's (allegedly) done nothing that hundreds of other players haven't.

But it goes without saying: If you speak to a federal agent, you sort of have to tell the truth. If he didn't, it's his own fault.

Having his brother pass away on the same day as all of this coming down on him is just horrible, and we again send our best wishes to our former shortstop.

And good luck, Astros fans.

Tejada links: Richard Justice at the Houston Chronicle is enraged, but Houston owner Drayton McLane isn't so quick to judge Miggi. Of course, McLane is the owner that seems least willing -- of those saying anything -- to acknowledge PEDs being the problem that they are.

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Poor Miggi

I hate for all of this to be coming down on him. I mean, he did sort of bring this federal stuff on himself. Still, though, it's no good. And to add his family tragedy to that, I feel for the guy.

by Stacey on Jan 16, 2008 9:27 AM EST reply actions

"least willing to acknowledge"

Anyone remember this: Padres GM thought Caminiti was using steroids.

Buster Olney mentioned it last night and how Bud Selig and his office took Towers to the woodshed for admitting the truth. Any surprise others had "no idea" what was going on?

by drj on Jan 16, 2008 9:44 AM EST reply actions

Not good.

It does not look good for Miggi at all.

From the Sun:

In a previously unreleased transcript, Tejada replied "no" when asked by the committee staff in 2005 whether he had ever taken steroids, androstendione or any other steroid precursor or whether he heard discussions among other players about steroids.

That is a pretty broad statement, and I doubt it will be difficult to disprove. It's pretty tough to believe he never even heard other players talking about steroids. And, as we know, there is pretty compelling evidence he took them.

I feel bad for the guy, and I've felt for a while that the steroids issue was turning into a witch hunt. On the other hand, the integrity of our judicial system depends on people telling the truth under oath, and it sure looks like Miggi lied.

I suspect Miggi is going to find out the hard way that no one other than politicians are above the law in America. It's important for the occasional celebrity or sports star to be publicly crucified in order to maintain the illusion that the judicial system in the U.S. is fair. The politicians want their pound of flesh, and they're going to take it out of Miggi's hide.

by rebop on Jan 16, 2008 10:50 AM EST reply actions

I feel for Miggy

Like SC said "The sports fan in me immediately thinks, Boy, we traded that guy just in time."

But my heart goes out to Miggy and his family. I can't even imagine what he's going through right now.

Geaux Eaux's

by NawlinsOriole on Jan 16, 2008 11:13 AM EST reply actions

Was it under oath?

If not, lying to federal agents is just fine by me. Free speech, and all. If they want the truth, they ought to get a subpoena.

"Baltimore? That's like being hit in the head with a crowbar once a day."

by spike2131 on Jan 16, 2008 11:28 AM EST reply actions

You must be kidding...

Were you wearing a "Stop Snitchin'" shirt when you typed those words? Lying to federal investigators (whether under oath or not) is a crime--it's called obstruction of justice. I've been a member of the ACLU for a decade or more, but lying to federal agents is not a matter of free speech--it's clearly a crime. I don't want to pile on Miggi or anything, but the law is clear on this.

by rebop on Jan 16, 2008 11:42 AM EST up reply actions

Meh

Lying to a judge I have a problem with, lying to George Bush's justice department, not so much. Federal police powers ought to be limited, and I don't think insisting on judicial oversight (i.e., getting a subpoena) is too much to ask.

"Baltimore? That's like being hit in the head with a crowbar once a day."

by spike2131 on Jan 16, 2008 12:02 PM EST up reply actions

I believe it depends on the circumstances.

For instance I'm not aware of any federal investigation other than the Balco case. If he lied to investigators interviewing him in relation to that case, then yes, he's subject to charges of obstruction. Otherwise I don't believe so.

Even then the government has to prove that he knowingly and intentionally mislead investigators. In Tejada's case could plausibly claim he didn't understand the questions clearly.

I'll have to check with my brother. Up until a few months ago he was a US Attorney. (Although he didn't handle stupid shit like this. He was responsible for violent crimes.)

by timg56 on Jan 16, 2008 7:43 PM EST up reply actions

Doesn't have to be.

It's one among many bullshit rules out there that it's illegal to lie to a Federal Agent. Saying nothing or that you can't recall thus becomes the standard response if you've got something to hide. Why Tejada was not made aware of this by his legal counsel is a little troubling.

Friend of the Working Man

by Jonnypops on Jan 16, 2008 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

Cuz his legal counsel was not Alberto Gonzales

Miggi didn't lose his memory 68 times (or 72 or 81, depending on who's counting) in the course of an afternoon's sworn testimony. And that was a mistake.

And speaking of whom, here's hoping the Speedster at least goes on trial, although the likelihood of that has been dimming daily: the investigation of his (alleged) perjury is not being conducted by an independent prosecutor but by, erm, the Justice Department-- yeah, that Justice Department, the one he was recently head of and in which key individuals, naturally, owe him their jobs.

Also, remember that the general counsel of the Ford Motor Co. has organized the Alberto Gonzales Defense Fund, the client-beneficiary of which is, of course, not guilty of any wrongdoing but nevertheless needs the best corporate-supported legal defense money can buy because, well, he just does, OK?

It will be a very, very sad day for America-- I mean, another very, very sad day for America -- if/when Miggi goes down for perjury and Speedy doesn't. Or an even sadder one if they both do, and Speedy simply Scooters outta there before his sentencing while Miggi rots after his.

It's enough to drive you to drink. Or Russia. Or drinking in Russia. Where's that bottle, Vanya?

p.s. Anybody else see "Cheney's Law" on PBS Frontline last night? Yikes, in the large and diverse cast of constitution shredders on display there, the Speedster looked really, really pathetic. I mean, you want your villains to be evil and menacing -- see Cheney, Addington, Yoo -- but Gonzales is just, well, a dimbulb miscreant and pathetic enabler, a "lightweight", as one analyst put it, in the executive branch crime cartel. Sheesh.

p.p.s. Hey, who let Martha Stewart out of jail? And more to the point, why?

Forget it, Jake. It's Birdland.

by Titov on Jan 16, 2008 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

I was going to make the same comment.

by timg56 on Jan 16, 2008 7:37 PM EST up reply actions

I was about to make a comment

About how much I love Jonnypops' new sig.

"It would behoove the Orioles to play better." - Jim Palmer

by 2632 on Jan 16, 2008 7:43 PM EST up reply actions

Wow.

What a horrible convergence of events for Tejada.

Hang in there, Miguel.

"It would behoove the Orioles to play better." - Jim Palmer

by 2632 on Jan 16, 2008 11:48 AM EST reply actions

re:

Does anyone sense that the tide may be turning, just a little? Is the Congress involvement now the tipping point? Do you know anyone who thinks this round of investigations will be of any use?

Yesterday was the first time I've heard the talking heads on ESPN discuss the fact that the players are taking the rap, while MLB and the player's union were all willing partners. A couple of the somewhat useful commentators (Olney, Kurkjian) gave examples of how Selig and MLB front officed, owners, and the players union at the very least covered their eyes and should, as the Mitchell report explains, share the blame. Olney cited an example where front office personnel allegedly notified a player (or players) of upcoming drug tests. Then I ran across this article Has anyone 'boughten' all this rhetoric?

I'm hoping that ESPN's current reporting is an indication that a growing audience realizes how ridiculous this entire affair has become.

I don't think it does much for Tejada. He's probably gong to get whacked because the grandstanding politicians need to extract their blood.

by drj on Jan 16, 2008 12:33 PM EST reply actions

yeah

Mike and Mike talked about all this stuff. "Bud Selleck," "Mr. Palmeiri and his 300th hit" -- look, if the up-in-arms Congressfolks don't know fuck all about the subject, why are they involved? I'm with Greenberg. I'm not saying they have to be baseball fans, but research this shit. Bud Selig was the most famous guy in the room and they don't know his name?

Thanks for the time that you've given me...

by Scott Christ on Jan 16, 2008 5:01 PM EST up reply actions

How 'bout "Doug" Fehr?

So identified by a network correspondent. Where do they get these people?

Forget it, Jake. It's Birdland.

by Titov on Jan 16, 2008 8:57 PM EST up reply actions

Not to knock Congress or anything

but like hey assholes, fund alternative energy sources, get the troops out of Iraq, pay off debt so the fucking dollar isn't so weak, work on illegal immigration and fix health care.

Baseball is not your concern.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Jan 16, 2008 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

Sure it is...

...the job of Congress (both parties) and all our other scummy politicians is to distract us from the truly pressing issues in this world so that the folks who make the real money, and fund politicians, can keep their profits steady. Baseball is a perfect distraction.

"Indeed"

by Jonnypops on Jan 16, 2008 6:32 PM EST up reply actions

i can't find it in me to feel bad for Tejada

except for his brother passing.

if he did PEDs, lied to a federal agent, obstructed an investigation, lied to all of us, gave Raffy tainted vitamins, failed to run out ground balls, etc., then he gets what he deserves.

and we all saw what Martha got for lying and obstructing justice. that's the going rate these days.

FUCK MASCOT MILLAR and HORSESHIT HUFF

by Dave at Bottomfeeder Baseball on Jan 16, 2008 6:48 PM EST reply actions