Knoblauch Subpoenaed by Congress

WASHINGTON — Four-time All-Star Chuck Knoblauch was subpoenaed yesterday by a congressional committee investigating steroids in baseball after he failed to respond to an invitation to give a deposition.

Knoblauch, who played for the Yankees, Twins, and Royals, was asked to appear tomorrow, the first of five depositions or transcribed interviews scheduled by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee prior to its February 13 hearing.

Roger Clemens was asked to speak to committee staff Saturday, followed by Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte on January 30. Brian McNamee, a former personal trainer for Clemens and Pettitte, is due in January 31, with former Mets clubhouse employee Kirk Radomski asked to appear February 1.

They all had until close of business yesterday to respond to their invitations; Knoblauch's deadline was last Friday.

"The committee has taken this step because Mr. Knoblauch failed to respond to the invitation to participate voluntarily in a deposition or transcribed interview and the February 13 hearing," committee chairman Henry Waxman and ranking Republican Tom Davis said in a statement. As of yesterday, the House panel had at least made contact, if not actually scheduled interviews, with all four other witnesses or their representatives, a senior committee staffer told the Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because staff members were not authorized to discuss details of the deposition process.