Tejada gets probation for lying

Houston Astros baseball player Miguel Tejada makes a tearful apology to fans and others during a news conference at Minute Maid park in Houston February 11, 2009. Tejada apologized to his fans on Thursday and received a sentence of one year of probation and a $5,000 fine for lying to Congress about his knowledge of other players using steroids.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - All-Star baseball player Miguel Tejada apologized to his fans on Thursday and received a sentence of one year of probation and a $5,000 fine for lying to Congress about his knowledge of other players using steroids.

Tejada, the Houston Astros starting shortstop and a native of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty last month to a single misdemeanor count of making misrepresentations to congressional staff members in 2005 when he said he never knew of any other player using steroids.

Tejada, 34, had faced up to one year in prison.

The American League's Most Valuable Player in 2002 while with the Oakland Athletics, Tejada said at his sentencing hearing, "I'm here to take full responsibility."

"I apologize to Congress, the court and all the fans of baseball and all the kids," he said while standing before the judge. "I learned a very important lesson."

U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Kay also sentenced Tejada to 100 hours of community service. He said Tejada, who is seeking to become a U.S. citizen, cannot possess a firearm or an illegal drug and cannot commit any crimes while on probation.

The judge said he would not require that Tejada undergo drug testing while on probation and that he would not impose any travel restrictions.

Tejada's sentencing was the latest development in a series of blows for Major League Baseball's image over steroids.

Last month, New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, the game's highest-paid player, admitted he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001 to 2003.

Home-run king Barry Bonds faces charges in San Francisco that he lied to a federal grand jury about taking steroids, while pitching great Roger Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young award winner, is under investigation in Washington on whether he lied to Congress when he denied using steroids.

Tejada, who also played for the Baltimore Orioles during his 11 full major league seasons, pleaded guilty as part of a deal with federal prosecutors.

Kay said he hoped Tejada would talk to young people, telling them to avoid conduct that violates the law. He said Tejada also has a new opportunity to be a role model for young baseball players.

Tejada has admitted he told staffers from the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in 2005 that he never used illegal performance-enhancing drugs. He was not accused of lying about allegations concerning his own steroids use.

Prosecutor Steven Durham urged the judge to give Tejada probation, describing it as a fair punishment. He said Tejada had accepted responsibility and understood that it was wrong to not tell the truth to Congress.

(Editing by Bill Trott)