Clemens' Side of the Story
On Dec. 13, former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell released a 409-page report on his investigation of steroid use by Major League Baseball players. Included in the report was an eight-page narrative of trainer Brian McNamee's allegation that between 1998 and 2001 he injected pitcher Roger Clemens with Human Growth Hormone and steroids. McNamee's confession was compelled by an agreement with federal prosecutors.
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StumbleUponThe Los Angeles Times made similar accusations against Clemens in October 2006 in connection with a federal search warrant affidavit concerning player Jason Grimsley. This document, too, was said to include accusations against Clemens (though names of the relevant players were redacted from a copy posted online by the Smoking Gun Web site). But after the Mitchell report was released, the Grimsley affidavit was unsealed, confirming that Clemens was not implicated. The Los Angeles Times apologized and printed a correction, but Clemens' attorney, Rusty Hardin, issued a statement (Page 2) hinting that his client would bring legal action over the claims: "Roger Clemens did not take steroids, and anybody who says he did had better start looking for a hell of a good lawyer."
Clemens declined to be interviewed for the Mitchell investigation, and he has not spoken to reporters since the report was released. Instead, he issued a written statement (below) that states, "I did not take steroids, Human Growth Hormone, or any other banned substances at any time in my baseball career." In addition, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner posted a video reply on his Web site and scheduled a televised interview with CBS's Mike Wallace, which will air in January on 60 Minutes.
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Remarks from the Fray:
When the San Francisco fans talk to the TeeVee news reporters, they say it doesn't matter whether or not Barry Bonds took steroids. He's theirs and they love him. They don't care. They'd care if Barry Bonds played for some other team. I'm sure fans of other teams think it's just horrible that Bonds' record may be tainted, but they'd defend their own sluggers' records regardless of any asterisks.
I don't understand fan motivation. How can they be disturbed by cheating on all other teams except their own? Shouldn't they be more upset if one of their own used steroids or HGH? How is this any different than Pete Rose or Shoeless Joe Jackson?
Oh, wait a minute. Betting on games and shaving points doesn't produce spectacular records. Steroid use results in new home run records and much excitement. If it feels good, do it.
--Arlington
(To reply, click here.)
(12/26)