He has a lot of guts to be able to go up there and say that. He has even more to go on 60 minutes and put on an interview (because, judging by Arod's, they're so high quality). But is this show of bravery undeniable proof that Clemens is innocent? Does this guarantee that he never took any form of PED in his life? Absolutely not.
Base argument: Why we can rule on Roger
There's this sect of Clemens loyalists who claim that we have no right to burn their man at the stake. After all, Senator Mitchell acknowledges that his report did not pick up on all of the violations, and thus many players are still running around out there like they're innocent. What right then, they ask, do we have to single Roger out? I have a two-part response. First, you didn't play that tune with Barry. And secondly, we have the right because he was caught. Let's face it: you don't break a rule unless someone catches you doing it; think of the "tree falls in a forest" analogy. Can you deny that claim? You have to admit that if no one ever knows about your actions, no one will care. Roger's downfall was that people did find out. Therefore he must face the consequences. Saying we shouldn't punish him because others are getting away with it pretty much invalidates speeding tickets, underage drinking charges, and other misdemeanors. Unfair as it may be, those other juicers are in luck as long as their secret remains concealed.
Statement the First: Eye Contact
When you're trying to be convincing, you should make eye contact at all times, especially during the strongest parts of your argument. Roger makes the mistake of having some REM going on throughout the entire statement. He looks uncomfortable if you ask me. And yes, I know he's defending his entire career which isn't a simple task, but for someone who is telling the truth and nothing but it, he sure looks hesitant before he says some things. I mean, come on; it's clear they did multiple takes, so why didn't he get it perfect?
Statement the Second: Deny Sooner
The day after Mitchell, Andy Pettitte's agent released a statement saying that they were working on a statement. Although empty at first glance, at least it showed that they acknowledged the findings. And then what do you know--he confessed the next day. But what about Roger? If he's so innocent, why did it take him so long to at least say something? There's no need for that. Unless, of course, you're preparing perfect ways to answer every question thrown your way on the subject...
Statement the Third: Too Many Facts
Certain parts of the Mitchell Report are sketchy. Others aren't. Unfortunately, Roger's entry is of the latter type. The language is too strong and too specific for McNamee to have made all of it up. And conspiracy theories don't hold, since other players have come forth and said that Mitchell's findings were dead on. I find it very hard to believe that the baseball world is out to get Clemens and put forth a false narrative to ruin him. Sorry.
This steroid business would ruin the legacy of the great Roger Clemens, so naturally, why wouldn't he deny it if it's his word against that of another guy? Without more proof, he'll keeping saying it's false it to his grave, just like his hitting counterpart Barry.
...just like Barry :-(.
(Yes, I clearly think Roger is guilty, and no, I am not able to forgive him. He was one of my baseball "idols" (for lack of a better word), and I seriously believed in his hardcore workout that kept him going for so long. I thought he was one of those rare amazing players who pops up every 50 years or so and can do superhuman things. I guess I was wrong. And it's a pretty crushing feeling.)
And to close this out on a lighter and more festive note:
Mars glows, no need for Rudolph's nose
By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer
Thu Dec 20, 11:17 AM ET
Mars will be unusually bright this Christmas Eve and the moon will be shining full — a development that might make Santa Claus rethink his need for Rudolph's red nose.
That idea, from Miami Space Transit Planetarium director Jack Horkheimer, made us wonder if retooling a certain reindeer song is the best way to explain it to the kids:
Mars is a red-tinged planet
With a very shiny glow
And if you look to see it
You will find the moon in tow.
The red planet will shine brighter because it will be directly opposite the sun, reflecting the most light, and fairly close to Earth, only 55.5 million miles away. The full moon will appear nearby, rising about an hour later, said Horkheimer, host of the public television show "Star Gazer."
All of the other Yuletides
Santa would have at his side
The shiny nose of Rudolph
Acting as his big sleigh's guide
Mars will outshine the brightest star and won't be as noticeable in the sky for nine more years, Horkheimer said. The Hubble Space Telescope took a picture of Mars, which came closest to Earth on Dec. 18, but it will be brighter on Christmas Eve because of its position opposite the sun.
But this very Christmas Eve
Santa came to say:
"Rudolph, now with Mars so bright,
You can stay at home tonight."
"It will be a brilliant red light," Horkheimer said. "It is so bright it knocks your socks off." He added that this would allow Santa to give Rudolph a pink slip, albeit a temporary one.
Then all the reindeer teased him.
And they shouted out with glee:
"Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
Outsourced to astronomy."
