Nationals 1B Ryan Zimmerman for the first time since the Al Jazeera report on PEDs yesterday "publicly commented on the accusation, unequivocally denying that he has used PEDs or had any relationship" with the documentary's original source, pharmacist Charlie Sly, according to Todd Dybas of the WASHINGTON TIMES. Zimmerman said, "I've never met that guy. I've never heard of that guy. The guy that supposedly helps me train in the offseason. So, yeah, none of that stuff is true. ... We're taking the right steps to ultimately clear my name, which is the most important part." He "decided the defamation lawsuit -- notoriously difficult to win -- would be the strongest statement of his innocence." However, Zimmerman also "lamented the challenges of resurrecting a reputation once it's publicly tainted." Zimmerman said that he "spoke briefly" to Phillies 1B Ryan Howard, who "was also named in the documentary and has filed a suit." Zimmerman said that other people "may not have the financial benefits he enjoys," one reason he feels the suit is important. Dybas notes Zimmerman is "trying to set two standards," including pointing out that many people have "claimed their innocence of past accusations, but have not taken the same emphatic steps he is to clear his name." He also "hopes that the lawsuit will be a marker for future reports" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 2/24). Zimmerman: "I'm not Peyton Manning (in terms of fame). The percentage of people who heard about me being accused will be much bigger than the percent that will hear the end of the story. Everyone that knows you knows that this stuff is not true, so they say, 'Don't worry about it.' Which is true. But a lot of people in the public, no matter what happens in the end, maybe some of them have already got their opinions made for them and won't change their opinions, which, you know, sucks" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/24).
