by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright Feb. 14, 2008
All Rights Reserved.

even-time Cy Young winning pitcher Roger Clemens faced his accuser trainer Brian McNamee, who implicated the 45-year-old baseball legend in using steroids and Human Growth Hormone. Since the long-waited Mitchell Report Dec. 13, 2007, the baseball world was rocked by Clemens' alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. “It's hogwash for people to even assume this,” Clemens told veteran CBS reporter Mike Wallace Jan. 6 on “60 Minutes,” denying the controversy that damaged his reputation, potentially keeping him from the coveted “Hall of Fame.” Like the greatest hitter to every play the game San Frncisco Giant single-season and lifetime homerun king Barry Bonds, Clemens' place in Cooperstown is now in doubt. Clemens stared-down his accuser, former trainer Brian McNamee Feb. 13 in the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

      Committee Chairman Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Beverly Hills) tried to contain the media frenzy and hubbub inside the committee, where members appeared loyal to party lines. While some Republicas had their doubts, most used their time to rehabilitate Clemens' image and reputation. Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Ct.) accused McNamee of “drug dealing,” insisting his testimony was not credible. Clemens protested his innocence only mildly, accusing McNamee of misrepresenting. He didn't show the emotion of false accusation, leaving Waxman and his GOP counterpart, ranking minority member Tom Davis (R-Vir.) dubious. “Someone is lying,” said Davis, unable to say who was telling the truth. Clemens admitted under oath that McNamee injected him with B-12, an immunity and energy-enhancing vitamin. McNamee insisted he never injected anyone with B-12.

      Giving some clues into what really happened, Clemens didn't forcefully deny McNamee's allegations. “I have never taken steroids or HGH. No matter what we discuss today, I am never going to have my name restored,” said Roger, putting the onus back on his accusers. When Clemens says he's “never took steroids or HGH,” he's talking about ingesting or injecting himself. He hasn't technically taken anything if someone else performed the injection. Whether Clemens' damage control works or not, has nothing to do with the question of whether anyone, knowingly or unknowingly, injected him with steroids or HGH. Diverting attention to his reputation doesn't answer the $64,000 question: Did McNamee inject Roger with steroids and HGH? “I have strong disagreements with what this man says about me,” said Roger, not denying the charges.

      Waxman must weigh carefully whether there's enough evidence to proceed with perjury against baseball's most dominating pitcher. In naming Clemmons last December, Mitchell's team conducted exhaustive interviews with multiple sources to finger Clemens. Clemens' good friend New York Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte verified to Mithcel's team that Clemens used HGH in 1998. Clemens denied admitting anything about HGH, calling it a legitimate misunderstanding. “I told the investigators I injected three people—two of whom I know confirmed my account,” said McNamee. “The third is sitting at this table,” referring to Clemens. Clemens testified that his wife Debbie, reportedly consumed with beauty and anti-aging, took HGH only once. Yet Clemens told committee lawyers that he didn't know any family members taking HGH, creating a glaring inconsistency.

      No matter how impeachable McNamee as a witness, it defies credulity to believe Clemens never received steroids or HGH. He testified that McNamee injected him with B-12, admitting, if nothing else, that he was injected with something. McNamee confessed to injecting Winstrol or stanozolol, testosterone and HGH. He said he never injected anyone with B-12. Given Clemens inconsistency about his wife and admitting McNamee injected him with something, it strongly supports steroid or HGH use. His attorneys advised him to deny the allegations, pitting McNamee, a cooperating government witness, against his good name and reputation. McNamee's attorney Richard Emery believes there's no risk of perjury because, like Vice President Dick Cheney's former Chief of Staff I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby in the Valerie Plame affair, he'll get pardoned by President George W. Bush.

      Going before Congress, Clemens' attorneys wanted to introduce reasonable doubt into the court of public opinion. They know that McNamee is an impeachable witness vulnerable at trial to cross-examination. While court is always a roll of the dice, advising Clemens to deny the charges was the best possible strategy. If he admits to steroid use, he won't go the Hall of Fame without an asterisk. No matter what the evidence, denying the charges gives Clemens a way out. No blood tests exist to prove Mitchell's allegations. Clemens' testimony raised more questions but signaled to Waxman that McNamee won't hold up under cross-examination. Unlike Bonds, Clemens enjoys the fan support and goodwill, including in Congress, to get him off the hook. Trashing McNamee as a “drug dealer” impeaches the government's case and gives Clemens a perfect way out.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

©1999-2005 Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.
(310) 204-8300
All Rights Reserved.