President Bush unaware of steroid abuse while with Rangers

WASHINGTON -- President Bush was not aware of any steroid use by Texas Rangers players while he was a team executive, the White House said Monday.

In his upcoming book, Jose Canseco said he introduced Rafael Palmeiro, Ivan Rodriguez and Juan Gonzalez to steroids after being traded to Texas in 1992, the New York Daily News reported. Canseco said Bush, the Rangers' managing partner at the time, must have known about the drugs.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said he spoke to Bush about alleged steroid use.

"If there was, he was not aware of it at the time," McClellan said.

"He has recognized, for some time now, that steroids is a growing problem in professional sports, particularly Major League Baseball," he said. "That's why the president has made addressing the issue a priority in his administration."

Canseco's book, Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big, was scheduled for release by Regan Books on Feb. 21. Company spokeswoman Jennifer Suitor told the New York Times that the book's release was moved up a week to Feb. 14.

Rafael Palmeiro denies steroid use, in response to claims made by Jose Canseco. (Getty Images)

Suitor also told the newspaper in Tuesday's editions that Canseco's appearance on 60 Minutes, originally scheduled for Feb. 20, was moved up to Feb. 13.

Canseco, who has refused to publicly discuss the book or what it contains, told the Times he would address the media after the book is released.

"I will give a huge press conference, internationally and worldwide, when the book comes out," he said. "I'll answer any questions then."

Palmeiro, now playing for Baltimore, disputed Canseco's claim.

"I categorically deny any assertion made by Jose Canseco that I used steroids," Palmeiro said in a statement. "At no point in my career have I ever used steroids, let alone any substance banned by Major League Baseball.

"As I have never had a personal relationship with Canseco, any suggestion that he taught me anything, about steroid use or otherwise, is ludicrous. We were teammates and that was the extent of our relationship. I am saddened that he felt it necessary to attempt to tarnish my image and that of the game I love."

Gonzalez's agent, Alan Nero, said, "Our immediate reaction is we feel sorry for Jose, that he felt he had to do this for whatever reason. And we feel badly for everyone he implicated in this.