Clemens, McNamee asked to testify (AP/FOX Sports)

From the Associated Press:

Roger Clemens and the former trainer who said he injected the seven-time Cy Young Award winner with steroids and human growth hormone have been asked to testify before the House Oversight Committee at a Jan. 16 hearing, The Associated Press learned Friday.

It’s the same congressional panel slated to hear the day before from baseball commissioner Bud Selig, union leader Donald Fehr and former Senate majority leader George Mitchell, the author of last month’s report on doping in the sport.

Oh, what fun!

***UPDATED at 5:22PM ET***

The Associated Press has updated their story to include that Andy Pettitte will also be appearing.

News and notes while Britney continues to self-destruct…

49ers linebacker Willis wins AP defensive rookie award (AP/ESPN) The beast of a linebacker nabbed the AP Award in a landslide, garnering 48 votes in a national vote.

Gators’ Harvey skipping senior season to enter draft (AP/SI.com) Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey plans on skipping his senior campaign to test the NFL Draft waters.

Sweden downs Russia in WJC semis (CP/TSN.ca) Mikael Backlund scored at 6:18 of overtime Friday to give Sweden a 2-1 victory over Russia in the WJC at Pardubice, Czech Republic.

Hansbrough is all hype (I’m Writing Sports) An interesting take on North Carolina Tar Heel stud Tyler Hansbrough from I’m Writing Sports.

Top 11 future excuses for Roger Clemens (EpicCarnvial.com) The guys at Epic Carnival take a stab — no pun intended — at the top excuses for PEDs user “The Rocket.”  Our favorite: After years of hitters getting all the good drugs, someone had to be a pioneer — yes, dammit, a pioneer.

Jags can’t overlook banged up Steelers (MVN.com/Jaguars Journal) Our colleagues at MVN.com take a look at the wildcard match-up that pits the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend.

Cubs will add 70 ‘bullpen box seats’ at Wrigley (ESPN.com News Services)

In their never-ending quest to milk as much money as they can out of a dilapidated ballpark, the Chicago Cubs announced that they have received permission to add “bullpen box seats” along the third base side and install digital signage, too.

City Hall approved the changes because “landmark buildings aren’t frozen in time, need to be maintained and can be improved while respecting their history,” said Peter Scales of the city’s Department of Planning and Development.

“These will be great seats and, just like the seats behind home plate, will blend in with the architecture and history of Wrigley Field,” said Mike Lufrano, the Cubs’ vice president of community relations.

Fantastic news! But hey, Lee Elia had it right — it’s still a playground for cocksuckers (audio link).

Hingis banned for two years (AP/SI.com)

Five-time Grand Slam tennis champ Martina Hingis was given a two year ban from tennis competition after testing positive for cocaine use at Wimbledon last year.

The 27-year old tennis queen, who abruptly retired at the time of the news’ release, denied using the substance and went as far as going to the tennis tribunal contesting the results.

Hingis has three weeks to appeal her suspension and had to forfeit any prize money and results following Wimbledon.

News and notes while 49ers coach Mike Nolan names names in his OC search…

Sources: SMU offers job to June Jones (DMN.com) Kate Hairopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports that SMU has offered their vacant head coaching position to Hawaii’s June Jones.

Kansas gets by Virginia Tech in close duel (AP/USA Today) Kansas’ defense — not their vaunted offense — came up big with three interceptions to down Virginia Tech 24-21 in the FedEx Orange Bowl.

Sources: NHL told DiPietro to change pads (TSN.ca) Sources tell TSN.ca’s Darren Dreger that New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro was told to change his pads during the first intermission of Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers at Nassau Coliseum.

Warren Sapp tells Raiders, fans he’s done (AP/ESPN) Citing declining skills, the former All-Pro defensive tackle told the Oakland Raiders — and visitors to his website — that he’s done.

Bucs-Giants tickets still available (Tampa Bay Online) In this report on ticket sales for the upcoming wildcard tilt between the Giants and Buccaneers, the attorney general for the state of New York called Ticketmaster to raise cain over a new policy that would only allow ticket sales for residences of Florida to procure tickets.  Shortly thereafter, the rule was reversed.

…and finally…

Hall of Fame menu should include Goose (Y! Sports) National baseball writer for Yahoo! Sports Jeff Passan makes a compelling case for closer Rich “Goose” Gossage inclusion into the National Baseball Hall of Fame for 2008.