Editor’s Pick
AUGUST 30, 2010 4:30PM
Roger Clemens Pleads 'Not Guilty' to Felony Charges
The response from former star pitcher Roger Clemens was not a surprise. He entered a plea of "not guilty" to six counts of false testimony for statements made before a Congressional hearing:
"... Clemens, 48, entered a plea of "Not guilty, your honor" to U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton, after being arraigned on one count of obstruction of Congress, two counts of perjury and three counts of making false statements in his February 2008 testimony to staff investigators and a hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform."
Thus begins the judicial chapter of Clemens baseball career. At the heart of the matter is testimony that is contrary to Clemens' assertion that he did not use steroids and performance enhancing drugs. His former trainer, Brian McNamee, has given evidence that Clemens indeed did use these chemical assists to augment his baseball performance. Former team mate, Andy Petitte, also have given evidence counter to Clemens' testimony.
The ramifications of these proceedings will entangle baseball directly. At question is the integrity of the baseball itself. Are the records to be believed when so many baseball stars have admitted to using drugs to augment performance? Certainly, the actions (or lack of actions) by baseball commissioner Bud Selig will be called into question.
Roger Clemens has a tough battle in the court of public opinion. The examples of star athletes denying and then admitting to the drug use are numerous. Marion Jones, for example, served a prison sentence for false statements to investigators about her involvement with performance enhancing drugs.
Long time baseball fans will see the parallels between Clemens and former baseball star Pete Rose. For years, Pete Rose denied his involvement with gambling. Rose has been banned from baseball. He was not been acknowledged in the baseball hall of fame. Rose is not allowed any contact with major league baseball, although there is some discussion about Commissioner Bud Selig lifting the ban.
One wonders if Roger Clemens is following a similar career arc as Pete Rose. It may be that, no matter what the outcome of the judicial proceedings, Roger Clemens may not see induction into the baseball hall of fame during his lifetime. In effect, one of the star baseball athletes may be taking steps to becoming a 'persona non grata' in his sport.
History sometimes does repeat.
Catherine Forsythe
Roger Clemens - August 30, 2010
[photo credit: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst]
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Comments
Oh, yes, more often than we care to know. Rated.
As one who was born and raised in Cincinnati, I am well aware of the Pete Rose issue. In my heart, I want to believe he never bet on the Reds to lose when he was managing. He said he didn't, but who knows. I don't see Clemens in the same light. Pete holds many records, the most famous of which is total hits. He did that without drugs. He did it on talent,tenacity, and hard work. He played the game the way it was supposed to be played. OK, he was an idiot when he managed, but not when he played the game.
I believe that the whole "steroids era" should be wiped clean from the record books like the 1919 Black Sox scandal. Gone; over; fini. If not, people like Bonds, McGuire, Sosa, Conseco, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Petite, et al, do a disservice to Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Rogers Hornsby, Cy Young, Sandy Koufax, and all of the great players. It is just not right to use drugs to make you better, when so many before you did not. That is just the way I feel. It is a pox on baseball, and we will see if the Commissioner has the guts to deal with it. R-
But I have to admit that greats have cheated throughout Major League Baseball history. Ruth wasn't above using a corked bat on occaision. Cobb sharpened his spikes to do physical injury and put fear into infielders when running the bases. Numerous pitchers used the spit ball, the emory ball, etc. throughout the entire history of the post-legal spitball era. Gaylord Perry and Don Sutton come to mind, both 300 game winners in the Hall of Fame.
Pete Rose deserves to be in the Hall, and so do Bonds, Clemens, McGuire, Sosa and others. It may be sufficient and just to keep them out during their life times. But they do belong there. And that may be sufficient to deter ball players now and in the future from trying to grab that extra illegal edge. They all would like to one day stand before the crowd at the induction ceremonies and receive the acknowledgement and accolades given areal star for a superior lifetime performance. Posthumous inductions just don't match the thrill of actually experiencing and knowing that ones achievements have been recognised at the highest levels of honor in their chosen sport and profession.
Withhold that recognition from them during their lifetimes as punishment for their cheating and what they have done to the game, then recognise their real talents, their achievements and what they have done for the game as they should be, when they're gone. And that includes any prospective HOF members whose names might come up for voting on the basis of of service in their capacity of officials of the game during the time when baseball was looking the other way because of the renewed fans interest when baseball was benefiting from the steroid use of its superstars.
rated.
It was Notorious WES who brought race into the conversation.
Sorry for not making that clear.
Thanks for clearing that up. I did think you were aiming at me since the comment immediatly followed mine. Apologies for the old man remark.
Soft on war criminals.
Tough on retired baseball players.