Roger Clemens Testifies

Today during lunch I had the opportunity to watch CNN's coverage of the fabled pitcher's testimony. Mr. Clemens apparently places a great deal of importance in how the public perceives his stature in history of baseball. Otherwise there would have been little for him to gain be speaking before Congress.
Here is what we know....

• Roger Clemens pitched for the Boston Red Sox from 1984 through 1996, in that time winning 3 Cy Young awards.
• At age 34, the pitcher left Boston and signed with Toronto, where he won 2 more Cy Young awards in 1997 and 1998.
• At age 37 he was traded to the Yankees where he won the Cy Young award in 2001 at the age of 39.
• At the age of 42, Roger signed with the Houston Astros where he won his seventh Cy Young award in 2004.
• Former outfielder and Blue Jay teammate, Jose Canseco has published a book which includes the suggestion that Roger Clemens possessed expert knowledge of steroids.
• Former Yankee teammate Jason Grimsley named Roger Clemens, and Andy Pettitte, as users of performance enhancing drugs. Grimsley admitted to investigators that he obtained amphetamines, anabolic steroids and human growth hormone from someone recommended to him by former Yankees trainer Brian McNamee.
• Brian McNamee was a personal strength coach for Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte. Hired by Clemens in 1997, one of Clemens best seasons, including a Cy Young award. Brian McNamee now has testified that he has supplied the star with human growth hormone. Furthermore, the trainer claims to possess physical proof in the form of syringes.

Back to my lunch....

It seems plain that public opinion that is very important to the accused. This will affect sportswriters in their consideration for admission to the Hall of Fame. Of this there is little doubt, nearly all sportscaster opinions that I have heard indicate the feeling that Roger Clemens had achieved enough acclaim before 1997
It seems plain that public opinion that is very important to the accused. This may affect sportswriters in their consideration for admission to the Hall of Fame. Of this there is little doubt, nearly all sportscaster opinions that I have heard have indicated the impression that Roger Clemens had achieved enough acclaim before 1997 to deserve admission to the hall of elite. Sportscasters in their fearful need to maintain relationships with their subjects will not risk taking a negative position. Sportscasters are cowards for not speaking enough out on this subject. Short of Clemens going to jail for perjury, sportscasters will vote the man in. The odds of Clemens going to jail are even less than his chances of getting into the hall, politicians are even less effective than sportscasters at toeing the line. To the pre 1997 “loophole” that sportscaster plan to administer, what about Pete Rose, he was caught gambling after his playing days were over, and his desire to win was never questioned?
The real issues in Clemens’ mind is probably, how does this impact may family? For his family I am sorry, but he has only himself to blame. He made an unethical choice for profit. Unethical behavior when uncovered is either punishable by diminished prestige or worse criminal punishment.
I have no doubt that the pitcher has used steroids and HGH, his consistently high performance at ages above 35, despite his legendary workout ethic are not nearly consistent with normal age progression. If his work ethic was so successful at age 34, why did the Red Sox think he was done and let him go off to free agency with little to no resistance. The reason is because the organization had first hand knowledge of his natural decline. By his unethical use of these drugs Clemens performance improved, his salary increased commensurately, this is the reward that sought and achieved.
Now he is fighting for his reputation, to late, he already made that choice.
Like Bonds, if the sportswriters vote him in, they cheapen the hall

Unethical Behavior = Financial Reward
Unethical Behavior ≠ Prestige Reward