Prominent players

RICK ANKIEL

* 2007 team: St. Louis Cardinals

* On the field: Left-hander was a rookie phenom on the mound in 2000, but wildness and injuries derailed his pitching career. So he switched to the outfield a few years later and began long climb back to the big leagues. Called up from minors in August, he batted .358 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in first 23 games.

* Off the field: Just as his unique comeback was making Ankiel the feel-good story of the season, the New York Daily News reported he received eight shipments of prescription human growth hormone in 2004. Ankiel admitted he used HGH, saying any drugs he took were prescribed by a doctor as part of his recovery from elbow surgery. Baseball recently concluded there was “insufficient evidence� to determine he committed a doping violation.

DAVID BELL

* 2007 team: Out of baseball

* On the field: Steady third baseman played very well for San Francisco in 2002 NLCS and World Series. Spent 12 years in the majors, batting .257 with 123 homers. Hampered by chronic back problems, Bell made his last big league appearance in 2006 with Milwaukee.

* In the report: According to a Sports Illustrated article, Bell reportedly purchased six packages of human chorionic gonadatropin (“HCG�) from Applied Pharmacy Services of Mobile, Ala., in April 2005. The article reported that Bell acknowledged to reporters that he received the drugs but explained that he had received a prescription for them.

BARRY BONDS

* 2007 team: San Francisco Giants

* On the field: He hit his 756th homer on Aug. 7, breaking Hank Aaron’s career record, and finished the year with 762. He also holds the season mark of 73 set in 2001. The 43-year-old Bonds, who spent the last 15 seasons with San Francisco, is a free agent and is interested in playing again next season.

* Off the field: Home run king pleaded not guilty this month to perjury and obstruction of justice charges after a grand jury indicted him for allegedly lying under oath about using steroids. If convicted, legal experts say Bonds could spend up to 2 1/2 years in prison. “I know that when all of this is over, I will be vindicated,� the seven-time NL MVP said in a statement on his website. The case also might jeopardize his potential election to the Hall of Fame. . . . In 2003, Bonds testified before a federal grand jury that he hadn’t knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs, even though prosecutors say he flunked a private steroids test in 2000. In his testimony, Bonds said he thought his personal trainer, Greg Anderson, was giving him flaxseed oil and an arthritic balm. Authorities suspected those substances were actually “the clear� and “the cream,� two steroids linked to BALCO. . . . Bonds went from a skinny, speedy outfielder early in his career to a bulked-up slugger in his mid-to-late 30s.

KEVIN BROWN

* 2007 team: Out of baseball

* On the field: A veteran starter, Brown pitched for six teams between 1986 and 2005, including the Rangers, Padres, Marlins, Dodgers, Orioles and Yankees. He played in six All-Star games, was the Padres’ player of the year in 1998 and the Dodgers’ player of the year in 1999.

* In the report: Brown was put on the disabled list in June 2001 because of a neck injury and in July 2001 because of an elbow injury. After Brown got hurt, he called Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski and asked for human growth hormone. Radomski sent HGH to Brown and in return received a package containing $8,000 in cash. According to Radomski, over the next two or three years he sold performance-enhancing substances to Brown five or six times. Radomski recalled that Brown usually purchased multiple kits of HGH, paying with cash. At one point, Brown asked Radomski for Deca-Durabolin to help with an ailing elbow, and Radomski sold it to him.

PAUL BYRD

* 2007 team: Cleveland Indians

* On the field: Soft-tossing pitcher went 15-8 with a 4.59 ERA this season and 2-0 with a 3.60 mark in two playoff starts.

* Off the field: Before Game 7 of the ALCS in Boston, he acknowledged taking human growth hormone after the San Francisco Chronicle reported he spent nearly $25,000 on the banned drug between August 2002 and January 2005. Byrd, expected to be interviewed by the commissioner’s office about the report, said he was prescribed HGH to medicate a “pituitary tumor.� The Indians picked up his $7.5-million option for 2008.

JOSE CANSECO

* 2007 team: Out of baseball

* On the field: An admitted steroids user, the power-hitting outfielder won the 1988 AL MVP award with Oakland after becoming the first major leaguer to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases in one season. A six-time All-Star and ’86 AL rookie of the year, Canseco played his final big league season in 2001. He finished with 462 homers and 1,407 RBIs.

* Off the field: In his 2005 book “Juiced,� Canseco said he injected Mark McGwire with steroids and introduced several other players to the drugs, leading to a March 2005 congressional hearing on the issue. One of several players who testified at the hearing, he also implicated Rafael Palmeiro, Juan Gonzalez and Ivan Rodriguez. Canseco has said he spoke with George Mitchell as part of the former Senate Majority Leader’s investigation.

ROGER CLEMENS

* 2007 team: New York Yankees

* On the field: One of the game’s greatest pitchers, he ranks eighth on the career wins list with 354 and owns a record seven Cy Young Awards. The 45-year-old right-hander was 6-6 with a 4.18 ERA this season, his 24th in the majors. A free agent, he hasn’t said if he plans to pitch next season.

* Off the field: In October 2006, the Los Angeles Times reported Clemens’ name was included in the affidavit of a federal agent who said former big league pitcher Jason Grimsley implicated several players in the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Players in the report denied using steroids. Clemens, who played with Grimsley on the Yankees in 1999 and 2000, called it “dangerous and malicious and reckless.� Clemens’ agent, Randy Hendricks, said he was told Grimsley denied making the statements attributed to him in the affidavit of IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky. Kevin Ryan, then the U.S. Attorney in San Francisco, said the Times report contained “significant inaccuracies.�

* In the report: According to former Yankees major league strength and conditioning coach Brian McNamee, from the time that McNamee injected Clemens with Winstrol through the end of the 1998 season, Clemens’ performance showed remarkable improvement. During this time, Clemens reportedly told McNamee that the steroids “had a pretty good effect� on him. McNamee told investigators that “during the middle of the 2000 season, Clemens made it clear that he was ready to use steroids again. During the latter part of the regular season, McNamee injected Clemens in the buttocks four to six times with testosterone from a bottle labeled either Sustanon 250 or Deca-Durabolin.�

JACK CUST

* 2007 team: Oakland Athletics

* On the field: An outfielder, Cust began his major league career with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, and has since played for the Colorado Rockies, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics.

* In the report: Cust asked teammate Larry Bigbie at Baltimore’s triple-A affiliate in 2003 whether Bigbie had ever tried steroids. Bigbie acknowledged he had, and Cust said that he also had tried steroids.

BRENDAN DONNELLY

* 2007 team: Boston Red Sox

* On the field: A free agent after the Red Sox non-tendered his contract, Donnelly was selected to play in the All-Star game in 2003. He also played with the Angels.

* In the report: Radomski recalled that Donnelly called him in 2004 looking for Anavar, an anabolic steroid. Radomski made one sale to Donnelly of Deca-Durabolin for which Donnelly paid $250 to $300. In considering whether to trade for Donnelly in 2007, Red Sox baseball operations personnel internally discussed concerns that Donnelly was using performance-enhancing substances. That conversation is detailed in an e-mail to vice president of player personnel Ben Charington dated Dec. 13, 2006, from Zack Scott of the Red Sox baseball operations staff.

LENNY DYKSTRA

* 2007 team: Out of baseball

* On the field: Nicknamed “Nails� for his daring play, the three-time All-Star was runner-up for NL MVP in 1993, when he led Philadelphia to the World Series. A productive leadoff hitter, he went from a skinny speedster with the New York Mets to a muscular outfielder with the Phillies.

* In the report: According to Radomski, when Dykstra reported to spring training in 1989, “his increased size was noticeable.� When Radomski asked him about his increased size, Dykstra admitted to taking steroids. After the Phillies lost the 1993 World Series, Dykstra called Radomski and asked whether Radomski could get Dykstra steroids. Although Radomski does not remember the exact time frame, he recalled providing Dykstra with Deca-Durabolin, Dianabol and testosterone.

JASON GIAMBI

* 2007 team: New York Yankees

* On the field: A five-time All-Star and the 2000 AL MVP, the first baseman has been hampered by injuries and batted .235 with 14 homers and 39 RBIs this year.

* Off the field: Under threat of discipline from Commissioner Bud Selig, Giambi became the first active player known to have spoken with George Mitchell when he interviewed on July 13 after he appeared to admit using steroids in a USA Today report. “I will address my own personal history regarding steroids. I will not discuss in any fashion any other individual,� Giambi said in a statement issued by the players’ association. Testified to the BALCO grand jury in December 2003 that he used steroids obtained from Greg Anderson and used HGH, the San Francisco Chronicle reported in December 2004.

TROY GLAUS

* 2007 team: Toronto Blue Jays

* On the field: MVP of the 2002 World Series and a four-time All-Star, Glaus batted .262 with 20 home runs and 62 RBIs in 115 games this year. The third baseman’s season was limited to 115 games because of foot and leg injuries, including a damaged nerve that was operated on in September.

* Off the field: Also in September, SI.com reported Glaus received steroids from Signature Pharmacy between September 2003 and May 2004. On Dec. 6, MLB said it found insufficient evidence to discipline Glaus.

JOSE GUILLEN

* 2007 team: Seattle Mariners

* On the field: A veteran of 11 major league seasons, the 31-year-old batted .290 with 23 homers, 99 RBIs and 28 doubles for the Mariners this year.

* Off the field: The San Francisco Chronicle reported in October that Guillen bought nearly $20,000 worth of steroids and HGH from 2003 to ’05. Guillen was suspended Dec. 6 for the first 15 days of next season for violating MLB’s drug agreement, and the players’ association filed a grievance four days later to overturn the penalty. On the day he was suspended, Guillen agreed to a $36-million, three-year contract with the Kansas City Royals.

JERRY HAIRSTON JR.

* 2007 team: Texas Rangers

* On the field: He is the son of Jerry Hairston, grandson of Sammy Hairston, brother of Scott Hairston and nephew of Johnny Hairston -- all major leaguers. Currently a free agent, the utilityman batted .189 last season for Texas.

* In the report: Radomski said that he sold human growth hormone to Hairston on two or three occasions during 2003 and 2004 and had one check from Hairston.

GARY MATTHEWS JR.

* 2007 team: Angels

* On the field: After signing a $50-million, five-year contract with the Angels, was slowed by injuries this year and batted .252 with 18 homers and 72 RBIs.

* Off the field: Was sent HGH by Applied Pharmacy in August 2004, SI.com reported in February 2007. “I have never taken HGH -- during the 2004 season or any other time,� Matthews said in a statement. On Dec. 6, MLB said there was insufficient evidence to discipline Matthews.

RAFAEL PALMEIRO

* 2007 team: Out of baseball

* On the field: A four-time All-Star, Palmeiro batted .288 with 569 homers and 1,835 RBIs over 20 seasons in the majors.

* Off the field: He dramatically pointed his finger and told Congress in 2005 that he had never used steroids, then tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol about six weeks later, leading to a 10-day ban from Major League Baseball. He denied intentionally taking steroids, saying teammate Miguel Tejada gave him vitamin B-12 that might have been tainted with performance-enhancing drugs. Tejada denied any wrongdoing.

ANDY PETTITTE

* 2007 team: New York Yankees

* On the field: Went 15-9 with a 4.05 ERA this year, and has 201 career wins in 13 seasons in the majors.

* Off the field: The Los Angeles Times reported in 2006 that Pettitte was among the players former major league pitcher Jason Grimsley accused of using performance-enhancing drugs, according to a federal agent’s affidavit. Pettitte denied the allegations, and a federal prosecutor said the newspaper report contained “significant inaccuracies.�

* In the report: According to McNamee, the former Yankees strength and conditioning coach, he recalled injecting Pettitte in 2002 with human growth hormone that McNamee obtained from Radomski on two to four occasions. Pettitte was rehabilitating an injury at the time.

BRIAN ROBERTS

* 2007 team: Baltimore Orioles

* On the field: A two-time All-Star, Roberts batted .290 with 12 homers and 57 RBIs this year.

* Off the field: The Los Angeles Times reported in 2006 that Roberts was among the players former major league pitcher Jason Grimsley accused of using performance-enhancing drugs, according to a federal agent’s affidavit. Roberts derided the accusations as “ridiculous,� and a federal prosecutor said the newspaper report contained “significant inaccuracies.�

JOHN ROCKER

* 2007 team: Out of baseball

* On the field: Rocker went 13-22 with 88 saves and a 3.42 ERA in six seasons in the majors, last appearing with Tampa Bay in 2003.

* Off the field: Jeopardized his career by making disparaging remarks against several groups while pitching for Atlanta. SI.com reported in March that Rocker received two prescriptions for somatropin, a form of human growth hormone, between April and July 2003. In an interview on ESPN Radio, Rocker denied ever having an HGH prescription.

BENITO SANTIAGO

* 2007 team: Out of baseball

* On the field: Five-time All-Star catcher won three Gold Gloves and was the 1987 NL rookie of the year. Spent 20 seasons in the majors, finishing in 2005.

* Off the field: Santiago told the BALCO grand jury he got HGH and an injectable steroid from Greg Anderson, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

SCOTT SCHOENEWEIS

* 2007 team: New York Mets

* On the field: The left-hander was 0-2 with a 5.03 ERA in 70 games this season. Durable reliever helped the Angels win the 2002 World Series.

* Off the field: He received six shipments of steroids in 2003 and 2004 from Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, Fla., ESPN.com reported. Baseball recently concluded there was “insufficient evidence� to determine he committed a doping violation. Schoeneweis, who survived testicular cancer, told the New York Daily News he had never received shipments from Florida or even heard of Signature Pharmacy.

GARY SHEFFIELD

* 2007 team: Detroit Tigers

* On the field: Hit 25 homers this season. Nine-time All-Star has 480 career HRs after 20 years.

* Off the field: Told HBO he took the “clear� and the “cream,� two designer steroids distributed by BALCO, but said he didn’t know they were steroids. “Steroids is something you shoot in your butt,� he said. Once worked out with Barry Bonds, then had a falling-out with the star.

MIGUEL TEJADA

* 2007 team: Baltimore Orioles

* On the field: Four-time All-Star shortstop and former AL MVP.

* Off the field: In 2005, then-teammate Rafael Palmeiro implied his positive test for steroids might have come from an injection of B-12 vitamin provided by Tejada. Earlier that year, Tejada denied taking steroids. “I know I’m clean. I know who I am, and I know everything that I do is right,� he said.

ISMAEL VALDEZ

* 2007 team: Out of baseball

* On the field: Went 104-105 in a 12-year career that ended in 2005.

* Off the field: Valdez bought $11,300 worth of growth hormone and other performance-enhancing drugs in 2002 from the Palm Beach Rejuvenation Center after he was traded from Texas to Seattle, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

MO VAUGHN

* 2007 team: Out of baseball

* On the field: Plump slugger was a three-time All-Star and AL MVP before finishing up with the Mets in 2003.

* Off the field: In his last season, Vaughn told the New York Times he used supplements that contained ephedra. Vaughn said he did it to build energy, not to lose weight.

RANDY VELARDE

* 2007 team: Out of baseball

* On the field: Solid infielder for 16 years, turned an unassisted triple play for Oakland. Got 200 hits in 1999 -- never had more than 151 in any other season.

* Off the field: Velarde received steroids and human growth hormone from BALCO, according to information given to federal investigators, the San Francisco Chronicle reported in 2004.

MATT WILLIAMS

* 2007 team: Out of baseball

* On the field: Five-time All-Star won four Gold Gloves at third base. Retired after playing in 2003 with Arizona, now a Diamondbacks broadcaster.

* Off the field: Williams bought $11,600 worth of growth hormone, steroids and other drugs in 2002, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. He said a doctor advised him to try growth hormone to heal an injured ankle.