Clemens

A judge in Washington has set a trial date for next April for seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens.

The former pitching star entered a plea of not guilty Monday to charges of lying to Congress about whether he used steroids or human growth hormone.

Clemens made his court appearance just a few blocks from where he swore under oath to a House panel in 2008 that he had not used performance-enhancing drugs.

He got into a van and left shortly after his plea, without speaking to reporters waiting outside.

Clemens has vowed all along to fight the charges of making false statements, perjury and obstruction of Congress. Before he was indicted, he was offered a plea that he turned down.

If he's convicted, he would probably face no more than 15 to 21 months in prison under U.S. sentencing guidelines. But a conviction could ruin his future earning potential and his chances of getting
into the Hall of Fame.