Gibbons has said he has passed every test administered by baseball.

“I’m as shocked as anybody else,” he said.

Roberts derided the accusations as “ridiculous.”

“We’ve had steroid testing, and I’ve taken all the tests,” he told The (Baltimore) Sun. “There is no point in getting into verbal wars.”

Novitzky also was the lead investigator in the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative probe. Two BALCO officials and Barry Bonds’ personal trainer, Greg Anderson, served jail time after guilty pleas in that investigation.

Grimsley has complained to friends, the Times said, that federal agents attributed statements to him that he did not make.

Randy Hendricks, who represents Clemens and Pettitte, told The Associated Press he questions the conduct of the federal agents.

“I’ve grown weary of having to defend (Clemens) from innuendo and conjecture about every six months for the last several years when he’s complied with all of the rules and regulations,” Hendricks said. “Andy is just surprised and stunned, and has no knowledge of any such activity.”

Atlanta Braves star Chipper Jones called Clemens and Pettitte “iconic figures” and is convinced of their innocence.

Giants manager Felipe Alou was asked how he thinks Clemens will be treated compared to Bonds.

“I’ve got to say, Rockets are hard to catch,” he said. “I was shocked to see those names on television this morning. Some big names. I said, ’Here we go again.”’

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Cuban ‘not on prowl’ for Dodgers, or any team   Sosa’s skin undergoing color change Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay Damon, Matsui and Pettitte all could return Yankees’ Jeter, Teixeira win Gold Gloves Scully to broadcast in 2010, then decide future Baseball GMs pass on expanding instant replay Martin, Herzog, Murtaugh and Mauch on Hall ballot Free agents Circling the Bases: Blogging on news, rumors, buzz Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: