Today marks my departure for spring training, although I won't actually see a ballpark until Thursday. I'll arrive in Washington, D.C. late tonight and cover Congressional hearings the next two days. Tomorrow will be this hearing, which hasn't received much attention. That'll be a mere warmup for Wednesday's Roger Clemens-Brian McNamee showdown, with supporting roles filled by Chuck Knoblauch, Andy Pettitte and Kirk Radomski.
Clemens has been working Capitol Hill like an expert lobbyist, meeting with nearly half the members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. As Jim Baumbach reported, it's pretty gross, these Congressmen and -women allowing themselves to be charmed by The Rocket.
But what Clemens' critics should realize is, Clemens is merely following the lead of his commissioner. Bud Selig, after all, chose George Mitchell to lead the steroids investigation because he knew how well that would play on Capitol Hill. And as we've learned, in real life and fine films (not really) like "Evan Almighty," our Congress leaves much to be desired regarding its behavior.
The Committee members didn't care that Mitchell carried four conflicts of interest into the investigation. They didn't care that Mitchell regarded due process as an inconvenience. As displayed last month, the members worshipped Mitchelll, his accomplishments and his star power.
So really, it would be irresponsible of Clemens to NOT utilize his star power in fighting the charges against him in the Mitchell Report. Selig is the one who turned his steroids investigation into a popularity contest - and to be clear, that wasn't an altogether horrible decision, either. Thanks to that move, after Wednesday, Congress will probably leave baseball alone for a while, even with Jose Canseco preparing his next masterpiece.
This Clemens-McNamee battle is beyond nasty at this point. It's funny how Selig wanted the Mitchell Report released during the offseason so as not to take away from on-the-field action. Yet this week, with pitchers and catchers reporting. Clemens will dominate industry conversation.
I believe that McNamee is telling the truth. But Clemens has every right to defend himself, even if he is guilty. And he might as well resort to the same tactics that got him in trouble in the first place.
Comments (8)
Bismarck was right. People with queasy stomachs should not watch how sausage and laws are made. Which channel and when will this be televised?
I am not so sure "that McNamee is telling the truth." The guy repeatedly obtained and administered drugs illegally. The police report on what happened in that St. Petersburg, FL hotel is creepy to say the least. If half of that story is true, I wouldn't believe anything this guy says. I don't think we have heard the last of that story. The Yankees fired him for good reason. The fact that Clemens and Pettitte continued to be associated with him is a blemish on both of them, in and of itself. I don't think we know the truth yet.
An ex-cop who got involved with drugs is the witness against Clemens....he could be right, but..I am with Jim on this. I need a little credibility check here, and it can only be provided in a real court, not by the simpletons on DC.
McNamee's actions start to look like a shakedown gone out of control as opposed to simply being squuezed by the feds. Let's swear in Mitchell and Jeff Novitzsky for good measure.
Ken - please ask Waxman about DSHEA and his support of it in 1994 wh9ich unleashed the supplenets surge (including amdro and DHEA).
Great column, good luck in god's waiting room!
Clemens is playing this right, the congressmen pimping themselves are a disgrace.
If Clemens changes his tune under oath and uses the Sheffield defense, he might still be ok legally but not legacy-wise, I suppose. Of course, I'm talking about the scenario in which McNamee told Clemens that he was injecting the harmless stuff. I mean, can anyone know for sure what is in a needle despite what a semi-reliable source tells you? But maybe it's too late now, anyway...
Jon, Roger has given a depo under oath. If he changes his story this week he will face criminal lying to congress sanctions. That die is cast. Interesting development, Pettite has asked that his testimony be moved to closed chambers. I'd guess that bodes poorly for Clemens, but we will know soon enough.
Clemens can always pull a Sammy Sosa by saying he doesn't understand the question !