Albert Pujols Sues Jack Clark For Defamation

Albert Pujols sued Jack Clark for defamation related to his accusation that the Angels slugger used performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

The lawsuit isn’t surprising, considering Pujols warned Clark he would take legal action. Paperwork to follow through was filed on Friday in Missouri.

The Angels slugger accused Clark of disseminating “malicious, reckless and outrageous falsehoods” about him. The allegations were based on conversations Pujols had with Chris Mihlfeld, the MLB player’s former personal trainer.

On-air partner Kevin Slaten commented that he long-believed Albert Pujols was “a juicer,” to which Clark replied:

“I know for a fact he was. The trainer who worked with him, threw him batting practice from Kansas City, that worked him out every day, basically told me that’s what he did.”

Pujols disagrees. He contended in the suit that Jack Clark’s comments damaged his reputation and caused him to suffer from “personal humiliation, mental anguish and anxiety.”

The Angels’ player’s lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages that will be donated to charity if the court rules in his favor. It also asks for a determination and declaration that Clark’s statement about Pujols’ PED use are false.

The nine-time All Star released a statement after the lawsuit was filed, explaining, “My lawyers have told me that the upcoming legal fight will not be an easy one, and that in cases like this even a liar can sometimes be protected under the law.” He went on to say, “I have never shied away from standing up for the truth, and I believe that the principles at stake are too important to sit back and do nothing.”

Pujols’ lawsuit against Clark was filed one day after Alex Rodriguez filed a defamation lawsuit against Major League Baseball and Commissioner Bug Selig for alleged interference with his current and future business deals.

Albert Pujols denied he ever used PEDs in his career, and added in a statement that he has nothing to hide. Clark’s attorney announced that his client stands by his statement that Pujols juiced. The case will likely hinge on what Mihlfeld says during depositions.

[Image via Kevin Hill Illustration / Shutterstock.com]