ST. LOUIS - Former Cardinals slugger Jack Clark didn't hold back in his disdain for players onccected to performance-enhancing drugs.  Clark, who helped the Redbirds win a pair of pennants in the 1980s, told the "Post-Dispatch" he is disgusted with the whole steroids era and current Cardinals hitting coach Mark McGwire's now confirmed involvement in it.

He went on to call out players such as Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, Rafael Palmeiro, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, saying they're all creeps and liars and should be banned from baseball, including McGwire.  Clark said they don't deserve to be in the Hall of Fame and he is proud of the numbers he put up legitimately as a player.

FBI informant discusses McGwire steroids use

NEW YORK - An FBI informant disputes former slugger Mark McGwire's claim that he used steroids only for healing purposes.  The informant told the "New York Daily News" there was an arms race between McGwire and then-Oakland teammate Jose Canseco as tho whom could bulk up bigger.

The informant added that at the time drugs were available and cheap.  The paper first reported McGwire's alleged steroids plan in 2005, shich included doses of various types of testosterone on a regular basis, plus the use of veterinary steroids Equipoise and Winstrol V. 

The informant was part of Operation Equine, which generated 70 convictions.  Anthony Roberts, a trainer and steroids expert, told the paper Winstrol was one of the last steroids somebody would use to heal from injuries. 

McGwire was named the Cards' hitting coach this past October and admitted this week he had used steroids during his career in an effort to recover from and avoid injury.

Mets not pleased with Beltran

NEW YORK - The New York Mets and outfielder Carlos Beltran are giving different versions of what transpired prior to his right knee surgery.

The Mets are upset Beltran had the procedure Wednesday after the team asked him to wait while management discussed options with its medical staff.  Assistant general manager John Ricco held a conference call today, saying the center fielder had permission to be examined by Dr. Richard Steadman, who monitored the knee problem last summer.

However, Beltran says the team made their request to delay knee surgery only after the operation was under way.  He says any accusations that he ignored or defied the team's wishes are simply false.

Beltran's agent claims Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek and trainer Ray Ramirez approved the surgery on Tuesday.  Agent Scott Boras says Beltran notified Mets general manager Omar Minaya about the matter Tuesday afternoon.

The five-time All-Star can't participate in any baseball-related activity for 12 weeks.

Also in the majors today:

• Phillies closer Brad Lidge may not be ready for the start of the season after undergoing his second offseason surgery.  Team officials say Lidge had surgery Wednesday to remove loose bodies in his right knee, three months after he underwent elbow surgery.


• First baseman Adam LaRoche has reached an agreement on a one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.  The 30-year-old hit .277 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs for Atlanta, Boston and Pittsburgh last season.  He's a lifetime .274 hitter in six seasons.


• Floirda's ace Josh Johnson has agreed to a $39 million, four-year contract.  He was a career best 15-5 last season with a 3.23 ERA and is considered one of baseball's top young pitchers.


• Starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa, second baseman Clint Barmes and reliever Taylor Buchholz agreed to one-year contracts with the Colorado Rockies.  De la Rosa won 16 games for the Rockies last season while Barmes set a team record for second basemen with 23 homers.


• Closer Jose Valverde and the Detroit Tigers have reached a preliminary agreement on a $14 million, two-year contract.  Valverde saved 25 games in 29 chances for Houston last season.


• Baseball owners have unanimously ratified a five-year contract with its umpires.  The deal would remove a ban on umpires appearing in consecutive World Series.  Umpires are expected to ratify the deal on Monday.


• Major League Baseball says it is donating $1 million to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti.  Commissioner Bud Selig said in a news release that the contribution is being made on behalf of baseball and its 30 teams.  MLB is also encouraging fans to help in the relief efforts as part of its "Going Beyond" campaign to help those in need.