One Tejada Lied While Another One Died

Tough day in the Tejada household. First, Houston Astro's shortstop learns that Congress has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether or not Tejada may have lied during a 2005 interview regarding Rafael Palmeiro's steroid case.

Next, he learns that his older brother Manuel Tejada died in a car crash.

According to Enrique Rojas, of ESPN Deportes;

"Freddy Manuel Tejada, 37, died Tuesday afternoon when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a sport utility vehicle in Bani, a city in the southern part of the Dominican Republic."

It was a rough day for the former American League MVP. If the Justice Department finds evidence that proves he lied, Tejada could be in a world of hurt. In an intial interview during the first Congressional Steroid Hearings, this encounter (according to a letter to the US General Attorney obtained by ESPN.com News Services) between Tejada and the panel took place:

"Has there been discussion among other players about steroids?" a committee staffer asked, according to the letter.

"No, I never heard," Tejada replied.

"You never knew of any other player using steroids?" Tejada was asked.

"No," he replied.

"Have you ever taken a steroid before?" he was asked at another point.

"No," he said.

Tejada also answered "No" when asked whether he had ever taken any illegal performance-enhancing drugs, andro or any other steroid precursor.

However, according to the Mitchell Report, ex-Athletic teammate Adam Piatt recalled conversations with Tejada regarding Performance Enhancing Drugs.
The report also contains two checks from Tejada to Piatt (for $3,100 and $3,200) as evidence that such encounter/transaction occured in the past.