Canseco got $300,000 advance for book

Piedra says painkillers led to positive on steroid test

From Wire Reports

April 13, 2005

Jose Canseco got a $300,000 advance for his book claiming several high-profile players used steroids, it was revealed in court yesterday in Miami.

The amount came out of a pretrial hearing for a civil suit by two men claiming they were beaten by Canseco and his twin, Ozzie, in a fight at a South Beach night club four years ago.

Christian Presley and Alan Cheeks are seeking damages for their alleged injuries. The trial is to begin Monday with jury selection in Florida Circuit Court.

Lawyers for Presley and Cheeks contended that they were entitled to know Canseco's net worth and other financial information.

Attorney Katherine Ezell told the judge that Canseco was "paid an advance $300,000" by his publisher for the book, Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big.

Canseco's attorney, Robert Saunooke, said the slugger has set up a trust for his daughter that will be funded by money he makes from the book. As of now, the trust is unfunded, he said.

Saunooke said he had no information about his client's net worth or other financial statements, and said Canseco had "inflated his net worth to secure a bank loan."

STEROIDS: Rockies outfielder Jorge Piedra, the second player identified under the major leagues' tougher new steroid rules, told the Rocky Mountain News he took prescription painkillers to ease sore hamstrings and ankles.

"It is what it is," Piedra said. "In the offseason, I had a few injuries and I took some pills. I didn't know the ingredients would make me test positive, but here I am. ... I apologize to my family and the Rockies. It happened to me, but I embarrassed them."

Piedra began serving a 10-day suspension with Monday's game at Arizona, the commissioner's office said.

"I'll take my 10 days and move on," Piedra said. "I know it's a hot topic. I'll deal with the scrutiny."

DEREK LOWE: A day after participating in Boston's World Series celebration, Derek Lowe expressed surprise at the fuss he caused by wearing a Red Sox jersey.

"The jersey was made for that ceremony," Lowe said yesterday before the Dodgers played their home opener against the Giants. "It was just part of it."

His sartorial choice was a subject of debate on sports talk radio and television. Lowe was handed the jersey shortly before the celebration began, and gets to keep it or give it to charity.

Lowe, who won the last game of all three postseason series, flew to Boston to be part of the ceremony honoring the franchise's first World Series champion since 1918, as did outfielder Dave Roberts, a former Dodger who plays for the Padres but is on the disabled list.

Lowe said he believes the 34-minute ceremony offered closure for him and the Red Sox.

"Absolutely, 100 percent, and it's good," he said. "The guys on the 2005 team, they don't want to see us around. I'm happy it's over with. The main thing is, no one on our team, they didn't care."

RED SOX: Curt Schilling will make his first start of the season tonight against the Yankees.

Schilling pitched in just one major league exhibition game after undergoing ankle surgery in November.

Now he's eager to get started.

"Good," he said Monday when asked how he feels. "Ready to go."

TWINS: First baseman Justin Morneau, who was hit in the head by a pitch in a game against the Indians last week, was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

DEVIL RAYS: Former Orioles catcher Charles Johnson rejoined the team after leaving for five days to handle a personal matter.