Jack Clark’s career as a radio broadcaster on WGNU 920 AM in St. Louis sure didn’t last very long, but it did get him and the radio station in a load of legal trouble in the process.
Clark started hosting a pro sports talk show on the radio station on Thursday and came out swinging, accusing former St. Louis Cardinal, and current Anaheim Angel Albert Pujols of using performance enhancing drugs. This despite the fact that Pujols has never tested positive for any substance, nor ever been linked to any doctor, medical professional, trainer, clinic, or other person involved in PED scandal.
Clark stated that he “knew for a fact” that Pujols takes PEDs and stated that he had been told such information by Chris Mihlfeld, Pujols’ off-season trainer in Kansas City.
Mihlfeld vehemently denied the report, saying:
I haven’t even talked to Jack Clark in close to 10 years. His statements are simply not true. I have known Albert Pujols since he was 18 years old and he would never use illegal drugs in any way. I would bet my life on it and probably drop dead on the spot if I found out he has. As before once again both Albert and myself have been accused of doing something we didn’t do.
The accusation also set off a fire storm for Pujols who has always denied using PEDs, and threatened legal action against Clark and WBNU AM. Pujols released the following statement:
“I’ve said time and time again that I would never take, or even consider taking, anything illegal. I’ve been tested hundreds of times throughout my career and never once have I tested positive. It is irresponsible and reckless for Jack Clark to have falsely accused me of using PEDs. My faith in Jesus Christ, and my respect for this game are too important to me. I would never be able to look my wife or kids in the eye if I had done what this man is accusing me of.
“I know people are tired of athletes saying they are innocent, asking for the public to believe in them, only to have their sins exposed later down the road. But I am not one of those athletes, and I will not stand to have my name and my family’s name, dragged through the mud. I am currently in the process of taking legal action against Jack Clark and his employers at WGNU (920 AM).
“I am going to send a message that you cannot act in a reckless manner, like they have, and get away with it. If I have to be the athlete to carry the torch and pave the way for other innocent players to see that you can do something about it, I am proud to be that person.
“I have five young children and I take being a role model very seriously. The last thing I want is for the fans, and especially the kids out there, to question my reputation and character.”
As a result, the station has terminated the employment of Clark and his co-host Kevin Slaten. The station is clearly trying to distance themselves from Clark and his statements.
Where this legal action goes is anyone’s guess, but the fact remains that even in today’s world where suspicion of PED use in baseball is at an all-time high, the media can not be reckless in the information they report, and the accusations that they make. Clark shouldn’t be stating that he “knows for a fact” that Pujols has used PEDs without the concrete evidence to back up such a claim.
Yes there are a lot of PED users in baseball, and yes, MLB has probably not caught all of them, and many have slipped through the cracks. However, it is not acceptable to tarnish the reputation of Albert Pujols with fantastic and unsupported claims. Such move could amount to slander, and has cost Jack Clark his job, and maybe a lot more.
And thats the last word….
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