The dispute between Albert Pujols and Jack Clark has ended, with Clark retracting his accusation that Pujols used steroids and Pujols dropping his defamation suit against Clark, according to a spokesman at the office of Pujols’ attorney.
In a statement first released today to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Clark apologized for saying on his St. Louis radio show last year that he knew Pujols had used steroids:
“I would like to address Albert Pujols’ pending defamation lawsuit and re-confirm that I have no knowledge whatsoever that Mr. Pujols has ever used illegal or banned PEDs. I publicly retract my statements that Albert Pujols used such substances. During a heated discussion on air, I misspoke and for that I sincerely apologize.”
Pujols then released a statement:
“I have accepted Jack Clark’s retraction and apology to resolve my lawsuit against him and clear my name.”
Clark, a former major leaguer, had said on his radio show last August that one of Pujols’ former trainers had told him Pujols used PEDs. Pujols responded by filing a suit in October against Clark for defamation of character.
Pujols is set to begin his third season with the Angels after spending the first 11 years of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals.