Congress calls Clemens, Pettitte, McNamee
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jan 04, 2008 
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Let the circus begin.
The House Oversight Committe has called Roger Clemens, Brian McNamee, Andy Pettitte and Kirk Radomski to testify on Jan. 16. Bud Selig, Donald Fehr and George Mitchell will testify the day before.
The most interesting aspect of this is that Clemens will likely be asked on the record whether he used PEDs. Calling Pettitte is just piling on. He admitted it and apologized. Let him live his life.
Undoubtedly you’ll hear that steroids are bad, that baseball has a tough testing program and that, really, steroids are bad. It’s political grandstanding. Tell you what, fix the 1,000 other problems the country has and then you can work on pro athletes taking PEDs.
First comment!
sorry pete i couldnt help myself please dont report me i love the blog
I agree that cleaning up the sport is of paramount importance, but really, do we need to strip down heroes to nothing?
It should be an all or nothing deal, given the scope and magnitude of the problem.
Let’s see what kind of vomit that McNamee’s attorney spews between now and the hearing.
Let’s see what kind of vomit that McNamee’s attorney spews between now and the hearing.
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Pretty, pretty funny Mel!
Call me naive, but I think a Henry Waxman-run hearing will be a little tougher than a Tom Davis-led autograph session?
And I don’t know the rules, but could Pettitte be asked, under oath, what he knows about Clemens, possibly contradicting him?
It seems to be there could be a little more squirming in those chairs than the last time, especially since the committee members came off horribly the last time.
Mel: LMAO
Talk about problems, if we’re dealing with President Huckabee, I might have to move a little north of Syracuse…[/end soapbox]
Agreed on Pettitte. Why don’t they just call everybody in the Report?
Put it this way, if Congress did that, at least they wouldn’t have the time to screw up everything else…
That’s what politicians do and it doesn’t matter what end of the political spectrum we’re talking about.
Politicians from both parties always stick their noses where they don’t belong because they can’t solve the real problems in the world.
It’s always been that way.
Rebecca -
Oh, please, no! I know it’s not nice, but his name is more reminiscent of a collectible doll/toy!
And not to be partisan about it, but Obama’s not the greatest name goin’, either. (Not to mention the unfortunate rhyming relationship it has to another name.)
The above statements are apolitical in nature, and not a statement on whether or not the above persons would be competent presidential material.
I just tend to agree with Pete. The Congress really does hav bigger fish to fry right now.
Also, unless they call more than Clemens and Pettitte to testify, how can any of this be taken seriously? And yet, those involved absolutely must take it seriously.
Doreen: I need my man Bloomberg to run!
Chuck Knoblauch will also be there.
As I understand it, Clemens, etc, were “asked” to appear, but are under no obligation to show up. I think Clemens MUST be there, and needs to answer every single question they ask.
It’s easy to post web videos, release statements through attorneys and handpick friends to to interview you on 60 Minutes…but if he’s as innocent as he claims, why wouldn’t he testify? That will tell me far more that Sunday’s interview.
Hmm, it would be an election year wouldn’t it (of course, isn’t it an election year every other year?)
Rebecca –
Now, THAT’S a solid name!
(Despite what he’s recently said, I would not be surprised if he jumps in if the situation becomes just right.)
Pete, I feel the “Congress should focus on other things” argument is nonsense. Ever watch C-Span, and see the House and Senate in session? They don’t exactly sit around and talk about steroids 24/7.
Congress can do their part to alleviate the PED problem (which also impacts hundreds of thousands of young people) while doing other work (healthcare, taxation, Nat’l security, etc.). Lets’ not forget that expressing the political will of 300 million people gets a little messy, so congress is always an easy target.
Pete, most sportswriters think that MLB and the MLB players union would never have moved as quickly as they have thus far without Congressional intervention. So it’s not just “grandstanding”, now, is it?
Just another dog and pony show to waste taxpayer money and attempt to focus some of the nation away from real issues.
Why isn’t Brian Roberts, Eric Gagme, Brandon Donnely asked to testify. Oh thats right they aren’t Yankees. This proves even more that this was and is a Yankee witch hunt. Do they have a testify?
plank
HMMM what a shock another Yankee. Aren’t there more important things going on in this country besides a Yankee witch hunt.
Doreen: If Huckabee wins the primary, I see Bloomberg jumping in as the moderate.
Ugh No to Bloomberg, the city has gotten dirter since he took over!!
Andy signed a minor league deal with the Reds. Good luck Andy! I hope he makes the team and proves all the haters wrong.
Stephen,
I could not disagree more. As a Barry Bonds fan I would love to see a perjury trap sprung on the greatest white player of our generation just like one was sprung on the greatest black player of our generation. But, as an American and someone who values his own freedoms and rights to privacy I hate what is going on. Why should anyone (Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, you, me, anyone) have to choose between risking be charged and possibly found guilty of perjury (even if actually not guilty) or confessing to the court of public opinion that one did something (used steroids and/or HGH without a perscription) that though a crime no one goes to jail for. To me this is a huge abuse of power first by the federal prosecuters against Barry Bonds and now potentially by the Congress against Roger Clemens. I just do not see a sufficent government purpose to justify trying to send Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens to jail or forcing a confession from either of them before the court of public opinion. This abuse of power is for political gain only and an example of a far worse and more dangerous form of cheating then the use of PEDs everyone is so worked up over.
Doesn’t Congress have enough problems to worry about say healthcare, Iraq, the economy, etc?
Doreen,
Now, THAT’S a solid name!
(Despite what he’s recently said, I would not be surprised if he jumps in if the situation becomes just right.)
..Just what we need Doreen, anther nanny state politician with the power of the Executive branch behind him. I can see the Executive orders now
1. Nationwide ban of trans-fats
2. Nationwide ban of smoking in public
3. National weight control program with mandatory fitness sessions
and of course…. Mandatory national health insurance.
Sorry but I lean towards Libertarianism and people who want to take away my freedoms make me crazy.
This deal with Congress is such a crock. Henry Waxman is another publicity seeking creep who couldn’t wait to get back in power. Why did they pick the people they did? Because it is political theater. They can get the most attention from trying to put Clemens under oath and on the record re PED’s. And it’s all about the attention. Disgusting!
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo....._book.html
Horse and pony show or not, guilty is guilty. Let’s lance this boil. If Clemens and Bonds are shamed and ultimately excluded from the Hall, oh well, they knew the risks going in. The game is what matters.
Chuck Knoblauch? As if he was one of the most important players on the list. Who cares about Knoblauch. He was a 5’7″singles hitter. They could have picked a more important player or ex-player from the list to be there.
Eeeps, didn’t mean to start a political thingie…
Is there a mock congress for politician wannabees funded by oil companies vs. tax payers in this country I didn’t know about?
Rebecca,
Not to go off on a tangent, but Huckabee is fairly moderate. He’s not your typical Evangelical candidate.
With that being said, I happen to like Bloomberg too.
Enough about roids. Pete, can you tell us which spring training games you’ll be attending?
Clay Buccholz: He connected the assassination of Benazir Bhutto to illegal immigration.
Sorry, but that doesn’t work.
War in Iraq, 45 million uninsured Americans, veterans going homeless – DO YOUR JOB CONGRESS!
why not ask the entire Yankee team to speak in front of Congress. What a joke.
Grant add to the list, oil at over $100 a barel. Oh that is right, they are in the oil companies pockets so that doesn’t matter to them.
Matt DeSalvo signed with the Braves.
Good luck Matt!!
Good luck Matt
Andrea is going to be crushed…
Yanksrule57 –
If you read my prior post regarding Huckabee and Obama, you would see that my reference to Bloomberg being a solid name meant just that, a solid name. I keep my political views relatively non-specific in this arena, and do not actively support or disparage the qualifications of any candidate or could-be candidate.
STUPID BRAVES!
but I’m glad Matty has a job…
Maybe we can trade for him. Jeter for Matt DeSalvo? Anyone?
Doreen,
Sorry about the rant.
Some politicians just push my buttons if you know what I mean.
I will remember we’re all Yankee fans here in the future.
“And not to be partisan about it, but Obama’s not the greatest name goin’, either. (Not to mention the unfortunate rhyming relationship it has to another name.):
Wow, someone watches toooo much Fox News.
Yanksrule57 =
Not a problem – I’ve done the same.
(Rant when a button’s been pushed, that is.)
Marc -
Actually, I don’t watch Fox News at all. Boy, I sure stepped in it, didn’t I? I only meant to comment on the sounds of the names, not the qualities of the people. I thought that I was very clear with my disclaimer. Anyhoo, for the record, I’m a conservatively liberal independent.
I’m sorry Doreen, but what you said about Obama’s name rhyming with Osama’s name is racist and highly offensive.
Doreen,
Actually you did step in it this time and I’m sorry I reacted that way. I just feel very strong that the man is his own man and has been slandered way too much in the past for his name rhyming with that scumbag. Lets stick with baseball and the Yankees.
Peace?
plank: I’m not really sure that’s racist at all. Someone might be offended by it, as people have a right to be offended by what they wish, I guess, but the fact that Obama rhymes with Osama has nothing to do with race.
Unless Congress issues a supeona they are under no obligation to appear and to be honest it would suprise me if they did and if congress went so far as to issue a supeona. Radomski as he is under criminal investigation and has a deal unless he gets some assurances would doubt he would be advised to appear either.
The other thing I find interesting is that the 3 players that were asked to testify are all Hendricks Brother clients.
Plank,
It rhymes. That’s an unfortunate fact. I am sorry to have offended you or anyone else. Frankly, I do not see how it is racist, though, as I did specifically say I was in no way commenting on the quality of the person.
gayle who is the third? I only heard Pettitte and Roger.
I have no problem with Congress being involved. Given the broad scope of their Commerce power, it is a legitimate Congressional function. The issue is whether or not they will handle the situation properly. Based on their failure to stop the war or Bush’s extremist agenda, I am not optimistic.
Plank and Marc –
No slander was meant. I was making, apparently, a very unoriginal observation. I should have known better. Sorry.
Why is no one else mourning the loss of Matty? Am I the only one devastated over this?
The Osama/Obama thing isn’t racist, but it is ignorant.
Hey Doreen,
I said peace? It’s a new year and there’s plenty of baseball on the way. Let’s enjoy that.
“I would love to see a perjury trap sprung on the greatest white player of our generation just like one was sprung on the greatest black player of our generation.”
Wrong. Nobody sprung a perjury trap on Bonds.
1) The Feds targeted Victor Conte and BALCO, the producers and sellers who made money from illicit sales of steroids. They didn’t conduct the whole long, difficult, involved, money-laundering/steroids investigation as some ultra-elaborate cover just for the chance to get Bonds for perjury in the Grand Jury instead of BALCO and Conte.
2) Bonds had a real immunity agreement, not a fake one, the same one Giambi got. Bonds’ testimony before the grand jury wasn’t procured by trick, misrepresentation or fraud on the part of the Prosecution. The deal was: tell the truth and you don’t get prosecuted. Period. The Feds explained in painful detail what they were looking for from Bonds in exchange for the grant of immunity. His attorneys even advised him on the subject. There were no surprise questions put to Bonds the day he lied under oath.
3) There was no reason to call Bonds as a Grand Jury witness at all unless he was going to testify that he purchased or used Steroids he obtained from BALCO. Bonds – - and his lawyers – - knew and fully understood that. Thus asking Bonds whether he obtained, used, purchased received, etc., steroids from BALCO or Conte or someone connected to BALCO was clearly part of making the case against BALCO and Conte. It was not meant to trap Bonds. Bonds just decided to be a smart@ss and got caught. Two different things.
4) I try to keep up with current events, and maybe I missed something, but Bonds’ current defense to the perjury charges isn’t that he was tricked into a perjury trap, a species of prosecutorial misconduct that might require dismissal of the charges regardless of the evidence of perjury. No, Bonds’ defense is that he did not lie and that the Government can’t prove he did. Don’t you think that if his lawyers thought he was tricked by the Feds into a perjury trap it might have come up by now? But even if it does eventually come up, out of Bonds’ lawyers’ desperation, it’s going nowhere. The BALCO investigation and Bonds’ immunity agreement were not shams contrived to get Bonds for perjury.
Marc -
Peace.
hope nobody asks knobby to toss them a pen!
Jennifer – Save Phil Hughes! – very true, I could probably add big-pharmaceutical’s undo influence on our legislative process as well
Will they make Mitchell testify under oath?
Andrea
He was never going to be anything more than a spot starter for the Yankees. This is what is best for him. He has a much better chance of playing a larger role there.
Alan, now that I’d like to see. I’d like them to ask him if he looked for any suppliers in Boston, Chicago or LA. And why did he only use the NY source? Is it because it fell in his lap and he was lazy?
i miss paulie too
January 4th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
ive been saying all along that this is just what the clemens team is looking for. i think they are practically baiting mcnamee to sue them for what he says on 60 minutes, bacause its much easier to defend a suit against clemens then to sue mcnamee for slander. at the hearings, after all the congressmen have asked rocket for his autograph, it’ll be he said/ he said and who do you think is gonna come out looking better rocket or this weasel?
rockets plan
#1 60 minutes interview
#2 congressional hearing vs mcnamee
#3 beat mcnamees slander suit in court
#4 pass the olympic drug test in Beiging
none of these things would actually prove rocket correct but in the court of public opinion right doesn’t mean much
“Will they make Mitchell testify under oath?”
Q: How do you know when a politician is lying?
A: When his lips are moving.
I miss paulie-
As others have said it is a lot easier to prove someone did something, than someone didn’t.
murphydog-
Thats a good one.
My personal feeling is that congress should be tested for drugs and alcohol. Why just single out athletes?
With Pete 100% Please, can we just move on now? We got the point. Do they not have anything better to do? Meanwhile, my neighbor is slowly dying of cancer and cannot afford health insure because she lost her due being hit head-on by a drunken postal worker who still has a job because his employer(goverment) said his drunkeness is a disease. She wishes she would have saved all those Canadian pennies she used to get for change and threw out because they are now worth more than the American Dollar. I would have been able to help her out if I would have saved the remaining oil I left in the can when I change my own oil (I do this because they double tax Jiffy Lube) and sold it back to the Middle Eastern country it came from. Since a barrel of oil is around $100, thats a couple hundred easy. I would have given her my bonus check this year, but it got taxed at 63% and the rest went into the gas tank so I could make it home from the bank after I cashed the check. No matter what side of the aisle you stand, I think we could all agree that our representatives have better things to do! Henry Waxman, if it will help I will donate(I have to donate because giving it to would case me to pay tax on it’s worth) my signed Clemens ball to you if that will help you stop all this!
Born in da Bronx -
I’m sure alot of them would test positive. Heck the people in good ole’ Mass keeping voting in Teddy.
It’s not racist but it is culturally insensitive and ignorant.
What if I said:
Pat is running for president. Too bad their name is only one letter away from pot (the drug). Nothing against them. I’m just saying. . . Too bad.
Also, there is a strong ethnic component to surnames. Insulting someone’s last name can be seen as insulting their ethnicity.
Suppose I said:
“DiNunzio, Russo, and Esposito would make a great team to run things. I think Hirsch, Mandelbaum, and Tishman would be too greedy and ruin things.”
Paul Byrd and the Cleveland Indians manager should be the first 2 people in Congress–if anyone. Paul Byrd refused to deny shooting up HGH throughout the 2007 post season. Where is the mentality of the Yankee front office to not have seen this political farce coming years ago? This outrage is only what Mike Lupica and countless others passionately fought for. The “steroids era” is a misnomer. It’s the HGH era–he who controls the language controls the culture. Fans should be prepared for much worse to come. The Yankees don’t appear prepared for anything and many will profit from this.
Jennifer– Chuck Knoblach was/is also a Hendricks client
Plank -
I apologized. Twice. Already. I did not mean to be insensitive. It’s interesting to me though, that while you are telling me that I am insensitive, you have ignored my sincere apology and the fact that I said I should not have made the comment. Not only that, but, I said I was not speaking to anyone’s ability or qualifications for the presidency. Mr. Obama has brought much passion, positive passion, to this presidential campaign.
It’s funny how Congress is too cowardly to perform its constitutional duties by impeaching Bush & Cheney for allowing various forms of torture, violating habeas corpus, lying the US into a war, outing the identity of a CIA agent – etc. tons of evidence of that; no-brainer for any unbiased person of good conscience.
But when Mitchell drops a few names sans any tangible evidence, these cowards are all over that. I guess they like to bully someone around the way Bush has bullied them around.
Since it is an invitation, can Rocket decline on the basis that it is a witchhunt?
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Great post … I love this site…Thanks