The steroids super-investigator, Novitzky is the special IRS agent who initiated the government's probe into the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) in 2002. He is widely credited with bringing down Marion Jones, and getting Barry Bonds indicted on perjury charges, and he would likely lead any criminal investigation into Clemens' steroid history. His potential presence at these hearings has already sparked controversy. Clemens' lawyer, Rusty Hardin, doesn't want him there, and has basically implied that Novitzky badgers witnesses — such as McNamee — for a living. But could Roger Clemens, who has made quite a living scaring the bejesus out of batters, really be scared of an IRS guy? Given Novitzky's track record of taking down athletes, perhaps he should be.
— by Sean Gregory