Roger Clemens: Feds "went around the world" to convict me

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Roger Clemens pauses as he speaks to the media outside federal court in Washington, June 18, 2012, after he was acquitted on all charges by a jury that decided that he didn't lie to Congress when he denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

/ AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

(CBS News) Roger Clemens says federal investigators "went around the world" to try to dig up evidence that he lied to Congress about using performance-enhancing drugs.

In his first comments since being acquitted on all charges in his perjury trial, Clemens told CBS station SportsRadio 610 in Houston that he gave the government everything they requested, but they were relentless in their pursuit to convict him.

"We tried to do everything the government asked for. We opened up our arms, our house, everything they wanted," Clemens said. "They went around the world looking for people to tie me to. They came up with one guy who painted himself as my personal trainer."

Roger Clemens acquitted on all charges in perjury trial

Clemens was referring to Brian McNamee, his one-time strength coach and the government's star witness - the only person to testify that he witnessed the pitcher inject PEDs.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner said he couldn't "fathom" why McNamee turned on him.

"When you open up your house to people you never think that behind the scenes someone is planning or plotting something against you because they are either jealous of you or have an ax to grind," Clemens said of McNamee. "I can't fathom the situation that happened."

While the verdict may not sway the public perception of Clemens, many - including Dodgers manager Don Mattingly - think the trial itself was a waste of time and money.

"What a waste. I was thinking about it after all this time, what a waste of resources," Mattingly said Tuesday before his team began a three-game interleague series with the Athletics. "Then you hear about teachers and stuff who don't have paper and pencils for kids, and it seems like what a waste. What a waste of money. Really, I don't think anybody cares. At this point nobody cares, it's like, `So long."'

[betterusa]

How long are the taxpayers of this country going to allow our government carte blanche on these expensive and worthless trials? First it was Bonds, now Clemens and next they want Armstrong.

F--king lawyers; congress is full of them and they are in collusion to make money for each other. This is why trials last for years, especially when the taxpayer is footing the bill. In November let the voters say no more incumbents; vote these clowns out and send a message to all politicians.

[sdemaggie]

Congratualtions Roger!!! This is the end of EH's DOJ grinding an axe for you. What a waste of Our tax dollars. Well with any luck EH will be gone sooner then later.

[Ourdoc1]

The ones who went after him need to be FIRED. Thanks for wasting Taxpayer money. We don't need teachers, firefighters or police, but we need lawyers, and financiers right? Those last two are two of the biggest scumbag groups there are in the world.

[An-old-guy]

Roger - Your not a banker, only bankers get a free pass.....