Schilling Says Canseco’s Book Has Some Truth

Curt Schilling said he believed that Jose Canseco told the truth in parts of his book and that the slugger’s career was “a sham” because he used steroids.

The Boston Red Sox pitcher on Saturday spoke publicly for the first time since testifying Thursday at a congressional hearing on steroids and baseball.

He said he didn’t know if Mark McGwire was treated unfairly at the hearing. McGwire declined several times to say whether he had used steroids, while three other witnesses in Washington -- Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Schilling -- said they hadn’t.

“Mark is a friend,” Schilling said. “He made decisions based on advice and I can only speak about my situation and how I would have acted. It’s tough when you have a guy sitting there refusing to talk and the guy sitting next to him absolutely denying” steroid use.

In his book, “Juiced,” published last month, Canseco named several players, including himself and McGwire, who he said had used steroids.

“What you saw Thursday, unfortunately, was the result of someone who didn’t think a lot in a lot of different instances before he ruined some people’s lives,” Schilling said Saturday on the same day it was announced that he would not start Boston’s season opener and would possibly sit out the first two weeks of the season after recovering from off-season ankle surgery.

“That’s not to say that he lied. I don’t believe his book is all lies. I believe that there’s some truth in it, but that’s for each and every one of us to decide.”

Canseco’s lawyer, Robert Saunooke, responded by noting that steroids were not banned by baseball when Canseco used them.

Saunooke also questioned the credibility of Schilling, who backtracked at the hearing from his earlier claims of rampant steroid use in baseball.

“Curt’s inconsistencies indicate that he has no clue but supports baseball so he can keep his high-paying job,” Saunooke said.

*

As expected, second baseman Roberto Alomar, a 12-time All-Star, announced his retirement.... Houston outfielder Lance Berkman completed a six-year, $85-million contract with the Astros, keeping the three-time All-Star from becoming a free agent after the 2005 season.... Houston ace Roger Clemens is day to day after straining his right hamstring.