Baseball star in drug probe pleads guilty

WASHINGTON – Miguel Tejada became the first high-profile player convicted of a crime stemming from Major League Baseball’s steroids era by pleading guilty in federal court on Wednesday to misleading Congress about doping.

Under a plea agreement with the same prosecutors pursuing a perjury indictment against pitching great Roger Clemens, Tejada admitted he withheld information about an ex-teammate’s use of steroids and human growth hormone when questioned by a House committee’s investigators in August 2005.

Tejada – the 2002 American League MVP with the Oakland Athletics and a five-time All-Star shortstop now with the Houston Astros – also acknowledged he bought HGH while playing for the A’s, but said he threw the drugs away without using them. Prosecutors said they have no evidence to contradict that.

Later at a Houston press conference, Tejada fought back tears as he apologized for what he called a mistake. He did not take questions.

The misdemeanor can lead to as much as a year in jail. Federal guidelines call for a lighter sentence, and one of his lawyers Mark Tuohey said he expects Tejada to receive probation.

Federal Magistrate Judge Alan Kay set sentencing for March 26, during MLB spring training.

Kay asked more than once whether the Dominican Republic player understood this could affect his immigration status in the United States. “Yes, your honor,” Tejada replied.          (AP)