Today in the Journal News
-
- February
- 13
Derek Jeter is disappointed it has come to this for Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.
Pettitte’s deposition appears to confirm that Clemens used human growth hormone. But there is confusion about it.
————
Don’t forget, WCBS Radio will offer streaming audio of the Congressional hearing tomorrow. Here is the link you want to go to. The hearing is expected to start at 10 a.m.
Also, LoHud.com plans on having columnist Rick Carpiniello live blogging the hearings over at his blog.
————
Let’s all move to North Carolina so we can vote for Rep. Patrick McHenry.
“This isn’t a hearing, it’s a show trial,” he told USA Today “And it is another reason why people are fed up with Congress. We’re facing huge challenges in housing, government spending, taxes and illegal immigration. Congress would be better served to focus on any of those issues instead of inserting itself into a name-calling, finger-pointing, school-yard brawl.”
We’re with you, Rep. McHenry.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 at 8:36 am by Peter Abraham.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Share and Enjoy: 
| 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Peter Abraham
Most of the time, drug users make deals with the authorities to expose their dealers. Why have things gotten twisted around so here unless the main goal is just political grandstanding?
Indeed. And why Arlan Specter has to talk with Roger Godell, I don’t know. Maybe he’s just jealous of the House getting all that time on ESPN.
Its real simple.
Congress has no business involving themselves in this thing.
If they want to create policy regarding steroids/HGH or any other health issue, fine. THAT’S their job.
But, to put on a show trial to determine the guilt or innocence of a baseball player is, as Rep. McHenry states, just a show and nothing more.
If the Government thinks they “got” Clemens, then arrest him and try him. At least then he gets his chance to fight the charges.
But this? Given where the country is today on much more important issues? Its a travesty and its a joke.
If people weren’t so lazy, they should make it their business to vote every member of this committee out of office for wasting tax money, and the public’s time, on this nonsense.
This isn’t “about the children” and any of that nonsense we will hear today.
This is about protecting one of their own (George Mitchell) for the piece of garbage he wrote as the “penultimate” report on PED usage.
The irony is, we will hear how all the Players Association has done during this stuff is protect their own. They get killed for it. Yet, Congress, DOING THE EXACT SAME THING, is praised for it.
It really is why the general public hates politics and hates politicians.
I’m so thankful that real baseball starts this week.
I believe Football and basketball should be brought in by the crime rate alone within the players.Football players commit more crimes than the National average.And Football has more Steroids user.How did three 2003 Superbowl Panters players and Rodney Harrison of the Patriots.get away with this stuff.
Forgive me, I posted this on the earlier thread regarding just what Pettitte’s affidavit adds to this whole mix.
A little more legal nonsense:
Doesn’t the Government have to prove ultimately that the substances they are talking about were in fact “controlled substances” as defined in the law prohibiting their possession, or as defined in MLB’s prohibited use list? You would need a chemical analysis of the substances in question in order to prove that which Rocket allegedly possessed was in fact a substance which Roger was prohibited from possessing. But there’s no substance to analyze.
IMO, that’s also a real problem for any eventual perjury prosecution regarding whether or not Roger lied about using PEDs. (Assuming that the medical waste produced by McNamee tests positive for steroid or HGH, my guess it that it won’t pass a chain of custody attack, certainly not to the satisfaction of a unanimous jury). McNamee’s statements that he knew it was HGH or Steroids are meaningless. Is he a licensed chemical analyst and did he use a recognized method of testing the substance? No, he didn’t. What about the fact that he allegedly got the chemicals from Radomski? Same problem, prove that what Radomski had was HGH or Steroids and prove that those very same vials contained the stuff that was injected into Roger.
In the real world, the Government has the burden of proof. IMO they would have to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Roger knowingly used PEDs, then prove he lied about it. Roger doesn’t have to say or prove or disprove anything. Thus if the Government cannot prove that Roger used PEDs, they cannot prove perjury. I also do not think it’s legally sufficient to allege that Roger lied to Congress or anyone else based merely on what Roger said in a conversation between only Roger and Andy, especially if Roger says Andy was mistaken. The criminal standard is “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
I’m thinking that cooler heads in Congress and at DOJ will probably prevail and Congressmen like the Boston Red Sox own Lynch from Massachusetts will avoid further reckless statements or face problems of his own.
Pete, when are you heading down to where the yankees are practicing, and what do you think Girardi is going to talk about?
Pete you are so lucky to be in Fla now. IT is a mess in Jersey! My car was covered in 3 inches of heavy wet snow! Than I’m literly 10 seconds from the bus and he leaves and drives right by me! (he also left some guy standing at the bus stop, he was 2 steps from his door. Now I’m on hold or so I think with NJ Transit to complain, and I spill 1/4 of my bottle of water all over my desk and papers! UGH It is a day to stay home in bed!
The smell and sounds of baseball are in the air and thankfully, the pent up dog and pony show has come to another ludicrous final curtain. The politicians can go back to their “power lunches” and waste more of taxpayer’s money.
Why haven’t statements like that one from McHenry gotten more publicity? I, for one, am outraged that Congress is wasting time (and doubtlessly a good amount of money) on this whole “investigation” process when the economy is struggling and we are still at war in Iraq. Don’t these idiots realize they have better things to worry about?
Muph,
I think there are members of this committee who now realize this thing has gone in an entirely different realm than they ever thought it could go.
The problem is, there is no end game. They have no idea how to get out of it.
Jeff Novitzky will be there, taking notes, ready to push the DOJ to file perjury charges against Clemens.
I’m with you. I don’t think the government really wants to open the door on discovery in this case. Which they will have to do if charges are filed against Clemens.
But, Novitzky is an animal. He’s a complete wild card in this and if he is given the autonomy he has been given, not even Congress will stop him.
Unless something changes today, if Clemens sticks to his story, I firmly believe Novitzky will push for perjury charges against Clemens. Given the way even our Justice System has now fallen victim to the world of reality TV, it wouldn’t shock me if he is indicted.
Convicted? I don’t think there is a chance in hell Clemens would ever be convicted for perjury. I do however, think he will get indicted because this is what the Justice Department does under this Administration. Waste taxpayer money.
An interesting article regarding the hypocrisy of these hearings:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/11/AR2008021102271.html?sub=new
Something that I’ve been wondering is given the 24/7/365 exposure this and other stories get in the tabloids, the more traditional media, etc., it seems that we’ve become comfortable with people being tried, convicted and punished in the court of public opinion. And even if a case goes to trial and the public opinion has been proved wrong, there is no equivalent coverage of the mistake.
Is it indeed possible for anyone with any sort of celebrity at all to get fair trial in the U.S. anymore? Is it possible for anyone involved in a case of some notoriety to get a fair trial in the U.S. anymore?
new york times:
“Earlier Tuesday, the committee held a two-hour hearing on growth hormone and vitamin B12. Four medical experts testified that H.G.H. could be harmful if used for illegal uses like bodybuilding or so-called anti-aging. Side effects may include diabetes, joint pain and cancer.
“Doctors who are prescribing the drug to enhance performance or to reverse aging are actually breaking the law,” Waxman said.”
i think waxman is wrong about this. i may be wrong ,but think that doctors can use any legal pharmaceutical drug that they think will help a condition they are treating.
why members of congress are expanding their probe of whether the mitchell report is accurate into other questions of health is curious to me. i’m still annoyed that congress banned ephedra in a knee jerk reaction after the tragic oriole pitchers death . he also had water in his system. maybe they should have banned that too.
if they really want to get to the heart of a health related problem in the united states, i think it’ll take a little more time than a two hour brush up on what hgh is. having a committee that is so ignorant about health passing judgement on how a doctor prescribes a drug is ridiculously simplistic.
Yeah here is my question: Where exactly does Congress derive its power to conduct hearings on steroids in baseball? Necessary and Proper? No. How about Interstate Commerce Clause? No. So pretty much CONGRESS is overstepping its bounds and poking its nose in places it doesnt belong.
I woke up this morning to hear the President on tv clamouring for the House of Representatives to “Just pass good law, the Senate passed it, youre getting no more time you better pass it now!” More of the same type of nonsense.
Like §J said, pass some PED laws, and move on. The pubic is more concerned with the deficit than “Celebrity Survivor DC”.
“But, Novitzky is an animal. He’s a complete wild card in this and if he is given the autonomy he has been given, not even Congress will stop him.”
sj44-
do you really want to bash an irs agent in a public blog? think about it.
I’ve written my representative to complain about the Government investigators, paid for by our tax dollars, being used by Mitchell for a private report that he was paid a large amount of money to produce.
I want to know why the government provided Mitchell with these investigators, why the government investigators used their threats of legal action against Radomski and McNamee to aid Mitchell in his investigation. Mitchell received millions of dollars for this report, yet the bulk of the report rests on what the Federal Government investigation gave him.
I also want to know why reporters aren’t asking these questions. Why is Mitchell being given a pass for getting special favors from our Government to help line his pockets?
The PED laws have already been passed. Otherwise there wouldn’t have been a 4-5 year investigation being done by the Federal Government on illegal distribution of steroids and HGH.
I love the idea that if Congress wasn’t debating steriod use they’d be stopping world hunger, solving the immigration problem , and bringing peace to the Middle East. Check out C-Span some day and you’ll see what they usually do: jackbone. Why else do you think that 3% of our senators (Clinton, Obama and McCain) are able to spend all of their time kissing babies and gladhanding in backwater greasy spoons without the country coming to a screeching halt.
I’m sorry, it is their job to regulate billion dollar businesses. Without their involvement in this, there would be no real drug testing in baseball, and that’s a fact. So for once they’ve actually accomplished something, and if Clemens gets exposed for the phoney that is in the process, more the better.
Next week they can go back to endless debates about nothing and stealing money for pork projects in their local districts.
I just read that Andy’s son is still recovering from his head injury. This is going to be a tough year for Andy. Hopefully all fans will stand firmly behind him.
doreen-
the link you provided is an example of what libertarians have thought about drug use for over thirty years. i would agree with that approach. but control is the way of congressional committees and not personal freedom. i don’t take steroids because i think they are bad for me, not because there is a law against them. i’d rather make that choice than have a nitwit like wxman make it for me.
i think peter is right that we are about to see history in a few minutes, but i don’t think it’s going to be the kind of history that we are proud of.
Baseball has an anti-trust exemption and baseball recieves government subsidies in the billions , so you may not like the hearing but you cant deny congress has every right to ask questions of baseball.
Jennifer - I read that about Andy’s son. I also read that Andy may report late for spring training and when he does report the Yanks are not sure what kind of shape he will be in mentally and physically.
Fortunately spring training starts and the media can focus on something other than thieving politicians who themselves will be prominently seen sitting in luxury suites of a new venue in Washinton D.C.
And who will pay for these luxury accomodations ? Ultimately the taxpayer most certainly. Who can imagine a politician reaching in his or her pocket for cash to pay for tickets ?
Hey anyone know if any radio stations in NY are caring the hearings? I can’t bring it up on my computer since I don’t have speakers.
SJ:
The “out” for Congress, if I were advising them, is to preach and posture about PEDs and kids and all the rest and then defer to the forum already chosen by the parties to litigate their differences, the defamation action pending in Federal Court between Roger and McNamee. Why? Because Congress will say they are very sensitive not to usurp the fact finding process of the courts. It’s actually a time-honored Government excuse for avoiding sticky prosecutions when there is a civil lawsuit pending that would decide the same issues.
you can watch the live video feed at c-span.org
just watched steve philips on espn say he has no doubt that hgh improves eyesight for hitters dramatically. and then have his co anchor imply that would be cheating because it gives unfair advantage.
i hate to ask a dumb question, but wouldn’t that be an argument against eye glasses or contacts?
one thing that is getting clear to me is that the issue of steroids and hgh must be separated to get the arguments down to something that can be understood. everything is so all over the charts, the arguments get absurd.
this whole thing is too unfocused.
Too bad they don’t burn at the stake anymore. I mean, this isn’t all that different from the Salem witch trials, but its minus the light show.
I guess the next thing to be banned for Baseball players will be lasik surgery.
here we go . showtime. the hearings are live.
I predict Clemens will take the 5th but play it off not like he is defending himself but because he cannot be compelled to testify against his wife. His wife will be the key factor in all of this. Just watch.
Why isn’t Steven Phillips there? He happened on his watch. I also heard some idiot call up the radio and say it was all Yankees (he was a Met fan). Never mind the fact that there were a lot of mets on the list.
jmo:
Sure, they can ask whatever they want, but shouldn’t it still make sense in terms of national and international priorities and the mission of the committee? Not to belittle your argument but Congress also has jurisdiction over littering and jaywalking in the District of Columbia. I’m not criticizing you, I’m criticizing Congress.
My point is that these guys do not sit on “The House Committee on Who’s Lying, Roger or Brian.” It seems an extraordinary waste and a complete farce to use their precious time to grandstand on a comparatively unimportant issue: Truthfulness in Baseball.
Jennifer - the hearings are on WFAN and WCBS radio that I know of.
i agree this hearing has gotten out of hand, but those that argue that congress has no buisness here are just plain wrong.
McNamee claimed to give David Justice steroids and Justice refuted it. WHy wasn’t he called to testify?
Come on people!
You had the players association as well as baseball executives and the commissioner in high denial that all was not on the up and up. And until they were brought before Congress to testify they were unwilling to do anything about the rampant cheating that was going on. Who else was going to put their feet to the fire?
Let’s face it baseball wasn’t interested in protecting it’s reputation and the records of the players that came before the rampant injection of drugs into the game. I am ashamed for the present day players who didn’t have the courage to call out the cheaters and I am embarrassed for players from other era’s that have seen their records fall to present day cheaters.
MLB continued to enjoy increased revenues while looking the other way and players that couldn’t compete without cheating signed big contracts that they otherwise wouldn’t have gotten.
And the fans took the hit both in the pocketbook and in their faith that what they were seeing was real; the result of hard work and not purchased from a lab.
From what I am reading on here it’s now the turn of the fans to be in denial. Let’s just forget all about the cheating and play ball. If only it were that simple.
As Michael told Carlo…”You have to account for Sonny, Carlo”.
MLB should have to account for Barry, Roger, Mark, Sammy etc…
At the very least there should be a roll back in ticket prices to compensate for money earned under false pretenses. That would penalize both the owners and the players. Why shouldn’t they have to give back some of what they took by cheating?
Andy used it more than twice. Used it with the ’stros.
Well now Knoblauch and Pettitte have corroboated McNamee’s version. So the only one he lied about was Clemens?!
They were very pleased with Andy. Andy must fully back up what McNamme said.
Great, now Andy lied publicly with the “just those 2 times.” Good job Andy. you could have admitted to both times, both to get over injury, and it would have made no difference (’02 vs. ‘02 and ‘04). Now he’s less credible.
Is there anybody out there who actually thinks everyone else is lying and only Clemens is telling the truth.
Plus, I’m further disappointed to read that PEDitte also cheated in 2004.
Geez Clemens wanted hearings. Does is either very innocent or very stupid.
You’re all moving to North Carolina anyway, sooner or later.
What a frickin’ ridiculous circus this is. Poster children for term limits, live.
Pettitte has admitted now to using hGH more than just in 2002. Not all that surprising. He lied about his use when he was first implicated, so it shouldn’t be all that surprising that he lied again when his name showed up in the Mitchell Report. Looks like it wasn’t just the one time mistake that he was making it out to be.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Andy Pettitte admitted using human growth hormone in 2004, saying it was supplied to him that time by his father, The Associated Press learned Wednesday.
After the Mitchell Report was released, Pettitte said he used HGH for two days in 2002 while with the New York Yankees. Last week, the pitcher was asked to discuss drug use in both a deposition and affidavit before a congressional committee.
”In that affidavit, Andy informed the committee that in addition to the two shots a day of HGH he took for two days in 2002, he also took HGH for a one-day period in 2004, shortly preceding season-ending elbow surgery,” his lawyers, Jay Reisinger, Thomas Farrell and James Sharp, said in a statement.
Pettitte pitched for his hometown Houston Astros from 2004-06 before rejoining the Yankees last year.
Excused from testifying before a congressional committee focusing on Roger Clemens’ alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs, Pettitte issued a statement through his lawyer minutes before the session began.
”Andy had not previously mentioned this usage because he acquired the substance from his father, who had obtained it without Andy’s knowledge in an effort to overcome his very serious health problems, which have included serious cardiac conditions,” the statement said. ”Andy did not want his father, whom he deeply respects and loves, to be brought into this matter and sought to shield him from publicity. In both cases, Andy used HGH in a misguided effort to recover from injury.”
The lawyers said Pettitte would speak with reporters when he arrives at spring training with the Yankees. Pitchers and catchers were due to report Thursday, but it was unclear whether Pettitte would be on time.
Randy l -
To me it’s simply about the hypocrisy of the messages that are put out there. We expect our teams to win at all costs, but then get all indignant when they do exactly that.
There are so many mixed messages in today’s world, and perhaps it’s always been that way, human beings being what they are, and human nature not having changed much in the history of the world. And it gets more and more difficult to think for oneself anymore, because it is more and more difficult to get unbiased information on almost any subject. But I digress.
And though I wish Congress was spending more time on the more important and pressing issues of the day, I do believe they have the right to delve into this issue because of the baseball’s anti-trust status. However, I’d feel a lot better about it if I knew exactly what is was they were hoping to accomplish here. And I really don’t understand why the Government can’t just tell MLB and the Players Association that as a condition of their anti-trust status they must institute more stringent drug testing by an impartial entity. It seems clear to me that the first round of hearings did not get the message across and baseball has had plenty of time to clean up its own house. Going after individual players who may or may not have even used PEDs is not going to accomplish anything outside of destroying one man’s career and reputation.
And not that I’m crying for Roger Clemens. It’s just not right that one person gets single out for a systemic problem. Those who were not caught in this particular net are not going to change what they’re doing - at least most of them won’t. They’ll figure they’ve got it made until the next sweep and take their chances.
I don’t see how Pettitte is not distracted this year. The steroids story is a Yankee story. Sure, other teams are affected too. But the fact that Pettitte has now admitted that he was lying just a few weeks ago is troublesome. He’s supposed to be a clean, wholesome Texas guy. It’s clear he’s now a cheater and a liar. And his increasing lies bother me, as a Yankee fan, more than Clemens’.
Everybody’s lying to a degree, including Waxman about why he is doing this. But if Pettitte held something back, even his credibility is suspect and that adds to the Clemens’ strategy of saying Andy is mistaken.
Oh please get off your horse.
It looks like Clemens is totally toast….he is being totally hung out to dry….
Mike - I agree. Can’t see how this doesn’t affect Andy this year. That is why supposedly the Yanks are looking into a trade for Joe Blanton.
Doreen - Roger may take the fall on this one for a much wider problem but unfortunately that happens more often than we realize.
Does anyone think Andy should retire based on all of this?
Roger is going to be in real trouble at home if he really did tell Andy that Debbie used HGH. Plus that also validates what McNamee said.
Folks, players don’t get distracted over this stuff. The media thinks so but its not how players are wired.
Pettitte will answer questions on the first day he reports and that will be it.
Sure, writers will write about it everyday. However, the Yankees will put a wall around Pettitte and he will go about his business.
He has a better chance of being distracted re: the condition of his son than he does about this stuff.
If some of you recall, his son broke his arm toward the end of last season (prior to the ATV accident) and Pettitte was very worried about him.
He actually pitched in the ALDS game while his son was being re-examined for complications stemming from the injury.
Now, his son is facing a long recovery from an ATV accident.
My point is, if Andy Pettitte gives up 4 runs in the first inning of his first start, it won’t have anything to do with this HGH talk. It will mean he hasn’t pitched well.
The media and fans always like to determine what “distractions” will affect players. However, players are a different breed of animal.
They are wired differently than we are. Their narrow focus is what makes them successful in their respective sports and why some are so flawed in other areas of their lives.
This is one of those things that will go away as soon as the games take place.
Between now and then, folks will salivate over it.
Why should Pettitte retire over this?
Do you think he is the only guy in baseball who has used, and is using HGH?
Please, he has no reason to retire.
im thinking roger had mcnamee inject debbie to use as a cover if he was ever accused of using it himself
Is Roger crossing his fingers?
Ugh,
I would rather listen to Joe Girardi talk about ST today at 11:30
Pettitte looks like an a$$ because he put his Choir Boy reputation on the line when he admitted to using HGH “only those 2 times” and now says there were 2 other times as well. How do we know there wasn’t, ‘oh year, plus this and this and this time….”
He looks like a jacka$$ but he’s still (if it was only these 4 injections) a choir boy compared to what a lot of other guys are doing/have done.
This is RIDICULOUS
An entire Congressional hearing for ONE player on PEDS !!
All to support George Mitchell’s good name.
Why don’t they hold a hearing on credit card interest rates or gouging ticket prices.
Shame on Congress, Shame on Congress!!
Uh-oh!
Lecture time from Roger and he goes right into playing the victim. What a POS.
For the record:
My brother was legally on HGH for about five years or so. He had low growth hormone–without HGH he would have been, at tallest, maybe 4′3″, 4′4″. Now he’s 6′2″. He’s got no ill health effects, apart from a weak stomach, but that runs in our family.
Of course, one person is not the entire world, but so far he’s okay.
On the other hand, my mother’s been legally on steroids multiple times, because of certain health issues, and she *has* had ill effects from them.
Anyway, happy day before Spring Training.
Is Rocket warming up the “plausible deniability” defense?
JMO -
I think Debbie was injected with HGH by McNamee because Roger’s success with PED’s led her to say “That can help me too”. I don’t think it was done as a cover.
Clemens sounds really mad.
Now Roger is making himself out to be a victim.
““Doctors who are prescribing the drug to enhance performance or to reverse aging are actually breaking the law,””
Did Waxman seriously say that?
The law doesn’t care as long as a licensed physician made a prescription in the first place. The congressman needs to review the CSA and FD&C Act.
Not looking good for the B-12 Rocket!
I don’t expect either Rocket or McNamee to come off well at the end of this.
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow, you’re only a daaaay awwwaaayy…
It seems to me that all three of them (Waxman, Clemens and McNamee) can barely read. Sounds like Congress should be investigating our public schooling systems.
Roger just called Andy Pettitte a liar.
Ugh, this is uncomfortable. I’m squirming in my chair.
The first questioner is incompetent. There’s a difference between lying and being mistaken.
Yeah, I’m not watching. I mean, the weather outside is gross enough to make me contemplate skipping class, but I’m going to save that for when there’s an actual baseball game.
No, he didn’t call Andy Pettitte a liar.
If you are going to give play by play, at least be accurate with it.
If not, I am sure there is a Red Sox board for you to play on today.
Overall, I believe Roger going in, as the committee is putting on a show for voters and gets better “ratings,” so to speak, if Rocket is guilty. It’s a trap for Roger and an effort to save face for Mitchell. That’s my opinion, for whatever it is worth.
That being said, how does a Yankees fan look at this on a visceral level if it turns out to be an Andy vs. Roger circus?
Roger is digging a hole. Holy Moly.
For the record, Clemens said Pettitte, “mis-remembered”.
A new word! lol
Roger is digging a hole. Holy Moly.
He sure is.
Uff, this is brutal.. Clemens is stuttering now..
How exactly should Roger saying he never working out with Grimley confirm that Roger never used HGH?
you know, Roger looks pretty collected, especially when you consider the circus like forum.
It wont be long till we see Roger in stripes again. That licking of the lips thing is a dead give away that he is lying, and not very well.
Mrs. Pettitte hits Roger in the gut too..
Oh boy..
The word of the days folks is misremember
“If he was knowingly knowing that I had taken HGH…”
Wonderful wordplay from Roger. He may be the next Keats.
What possible value is there to buttressing Pettitte’s testimony with an affidavit where his wife repeats what he said?
Sounds like this congressman thinks Roger is guilty as sin. He is trying to get Roger to call Andy liar.
This whole thing will ruin Pettitte’s season
I predict the stress of this causes him to go 6-8 before being shut down in mid-august
its really hard to believe that roger could lie in a congressional hearing if he really did do ped’s, but extreme hubris and ego are not uncommon among top atheletes (or politicians)
exactly the same traits that led our president to mislead Congress and the U.N. to justify going to war.
This is all about trying to get Roger to crack.
Just keep throwing little things onto the pile until he breaks.
The second Pettitte conversation amounts to Pettitte repeating a denial from Clemens. If Roger says he doesn’t recall, give Andy credit for the conversation. It’s still a denial from Roger.
Roger sounding shaky.
He is between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, he doesn’t want to totally sully PEDitte’s name, yet on the other hand, he doesn’t want to tell the truth about his own actions.
Debbie sure is cute. I better start injecting my wife with HGH - she’s turning 40 and I wanna roll back her “sell by” date.
jmo:
Oh, relax. Everything isn’t about Bush.
‘mis-remember’ is going to be a headline on tomorrow sports-pages.
Peter,
If you knew anything about McHenry slimming McCain, I would hope that you wouldn’t be making such a ridiculous comment.
GREAT line karma!
Clemens doesn’t sound very convincing but neither does McNamee.
Both have my BS meter pegged.
I never would’ve thought thatMacNamee would sound WAY more believable than Clemens.
Misremember is actually a real word. At least according to the American heritage dictionary.
Misremember is already a word; it shows up on both dictionary.com and merriam-webster.com
How long until this whole thing is a Saturday afternoon movie?
Looks like SJ misremembered that misremember is an actual word.
Where in the heck was all this public cross examination when we were arguing about WMD’s back in 2002? The only joke bigger than PEDS in sports is our congress.
Nobody is touching the fact that McNamee got a deal in exchange for his testimony. Must be coming up later.
Ah, yes.. Canseco…
I never thought I’d say this but I’m starting to believe Clemens didn’t take PEDs. Let the truth be told.
It looks like Jack Abramoff will be getting a new cellmate.
This is amazing. It’s two completely different stories..
I mean these aren’t even close..
“I never would’ve thought that MacNamee would sound WAY more believable than Clemens.”
Must be that thin blue line, eh?
As bad as Clemens looks, we always new he was an arrogant, self-serving phoney.
But Andy? Jesus, this is hard to watch. Not only is he a cheating liar who fraternizes with a bottom-feeding, date-rapist, he’s also a yellow-bellied rat.
Say it ain’t so, Andy. Say it ain’t so.
I wish Debbie was wearing something low cut.
In other news, its Spring Training!!
this is actually pretty riveting…probably wont provide a decent conclusion but its fascinating they are sitting 10 feet apart and telling two completly differnet stories under oath.
Does McNamee remember the hot nany, or his conversation roger asking about streiods
McNamee doesnt look like a trainer, he looks like the dorky kid from high school that couldnt get a date to the prom.
Ben-
what “hot nanny?”
And Clemens looks like he could use some hair plugs. I wonder if that is considered performance enhancing.
I have one question, WHAT IS THE LIAR THINKING?
I don’t see the big deal about Andy using HGH in 04. All it amounts to me is that when Andy gets desperate, his morals weaken and he looks for an easy way out, which I think is a quality of most people.
Clemens is an idiot, if he was going to lie, he should have admitted to HGH and lied about steroids. He looks like an absolute fool.
There stories are polar opposites.. It’s like the two of them are playing a game by trying to ome up with as different of stories as possable.
“misremembered”?
– Is that like how Arod “misremembers” how to hit in October?
It’s hard to believe. Who is the liar. Yeah yeah yeah, I know Clemens spoke to Pettitte about PEDs but did he take them. Yeah yeah yeah, I know McNamee sold drugs but did Clemens take them or told him no thanks. Yeah yeah yeah, it’s hard to believe a lying criminal that he’s not lying. Yeah yeah yeah.
Wow, is Roger throwing his wife under the bus?
Mcnamee said he remembers talking to clemens by canseco’s party cuz he saw a young women with a bikini running after a child and later learned that it was roger’s nany.
Busted!
UH OH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The good Senator from MASSACHUSETTS has Roger cornered.
Lucky Kid!!
Please don’t all of you take Peter’s advice and move down to North Carolina; we have enough Yankees (culture, not team) as it is. You seem like fine people, but too many Yankees ruins the mix don’t you know.
Southron
P.S. Besides, most of you wouldn’t like it. We talk slow, move slow and don’t really care what Operah Winfrey thinks.
I don’t know if roger did or didn’t take steriods but he should have his story a bit more straight.
LOL! That looks REAL good when Clemens’ lawyer has to cut him off, grab him and pull him away from the mic to tell him something before he continues talking.
senator?
NYPD
I think the correct term is “Ma s s hole”
““misremembered”?
– Is that like how Arod “misremembers” how to hit in October? ”
It’s actually like how the Patriots misremembered how to block 2 weeks ago.
Say, if it was a Red Sox player you’d sure have a problem with it. And it’s not just that Pettitte cheated, it’s that he lied about it on multiple occasions.
This questioner is much much better.
ok this is getting worse by the minute,
I think we better get someone in the bullpen warmed up!
Roger needs the hook.
This is a freakin’ train wreck. Roger ain’t getting into the Hall with this performance.
Raymagnetic
LOL, Great line, actually it is more like the Patriots “misremembered” how to tape the Giants walkthrough to gain a competitive advantage.
113:
It’s the House of representatives, he’s not a Senator.
And you forgot to mention that he first cracked Mcnamee in the head about being a liar too.
the chairman cut him off at a good time
I can’t help but shake my head at this entire thing..
OTG, don’t assume what I’d have a problem with. I haven’t thrown Brian Roberts under the bus, and he essentially said the same type of stuff Andy did. Red Sox, Yankees, it doesn’t matter. Rip him apart all you want, at least Andy isn’t sitting in front of congress lying right to these people’s faces.
rusty looks really worried
So Rogers wife and Andy both used HGH, But Roger didn’t. OKAY!
HE also didn’t allow alcohol on his property? WHat!
This reminds me curiously of Roger’s playoff performances with the Red Sox. Maybe he should have gotten himself thrown out of the hearing.
I have a feeling that Andy is going to have a horrible season this year. Too much stress and drama. Poor Andy.
Say, I do give him at least some credit for not being stupid enough to lie under oath (as far as we know).
Who’s that guy siiting between Roger and Mac. Guy’s btw it’s live CNN.com
“Gee wiz are you kidding me? My goodnes”
Hahaha.. Wow, thats a slap in the face.
now its mac’s time to shine
They’re both lying. It’s a tie. A perjury prosecution for Clemens based on this would be an embarrassment. And then:
“Gee whiz.. are you kidding me?”
Jennifier-
Andy used HGH for an injured elbow.
Debbie used HGH to lose some baby fat after her fourth pregnancy.
Roger never had arm trouble until his final year.
Mac just got grilled there!
Gotta give him credit though, he didn’t have to stop and have his lawyer tell him what to say.
These hearings are really a sad situation for all parties involved. Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson won’t be there, but would we be surprised if it ended up something like this …
A FEW GOOD ‘ROIDS
Late in the afternoon, February 13, 2008, Congressional hearings, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC ….
WAXMAN You took the illegal substances.
WAXMAN I’ll ask for the fourth time. You took–
CLEMENS You want answers?
WAXMAN I think we’re entitled to them.
CLEMENS You want answers?!
WAXMAN I want the truth.
CLEMENS You can’t handle the truth!
CLEMENS Congressman, we live in a world that has stadiums filled with millions of my fans. And those fields have to be played on by men like me. Who’s gonna do it!? You!? You, Congressman Davis?! I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for McNamee and you curse the MLB Players Association. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: That McNamee’s situation, while tragic, probably extended careers. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, puts fannies in the seats!
You don’t want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don’t talk about at closed door meetings, you want me on that mound! You need me on that mound! We use words like B12 and lydocaine …we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending America’s pastime. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very sports entertainment greatness I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it. I’d prefer you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a baseball and face a hitter in the box. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you’re entitled to!
WAXMAN Did you use steroids and HGH?
CLEMENS I did the job I was paid to do.
WAXMAN Did you use steroids and HGH!?
CLEMENS You’re damn right I did!!
WAXMAN Please the court, I suggest the session members be dismissed so that we can move to an immediate MLB cover up session. The witness has rights.
MITCHELL The Sergeant at Arms will take the jury to an ante-room where you’ll wait further instructions.
CLEMENS What the hell’s going on!?
CLEMENS Mitchell, what the hell’s going on? I did my job and I’d do it again. Now I’m getting on a plane and going back to Texas with Debbie to see the K boys.
MITCHELL Guard the prisoner.
CLEMENS What the hell!?
NOVITSKY Mr. Clemens, you have the right to remain silent. Any statement you do make can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right …
CLEMENS I’m being charged with a crime? I’m being charged with a crime!? I’m - that’s what’s happening? This– I’m- this is funny, you know that, this is–
(And CLEMENS lunges at WAXMAN)
I’m gonna tear your eyes out and puke in your dead skull! You messed with the wrong baseball legend!
CLEMENS You friggin’ people. You have no idea how to be a sports hero. All you did was weaken America’s pastime today, Waxman. You made my millions of fans sad. Sweet dreams, old man.
WAXMAN Don’t call me old man. I’m a Congressman of the United States of America. And you’re under arrest you son-of-a-@#$%&.
WAXMAN The witness is excused.
Later on …
HARDIN Mr. Knoblauch? What exactly was this guy gonna testify to?
WAXMAN Unless I’m mistaken he was gonna testify, under oath, that he had absolutely no recollection of anything.
HARDIN Strong witness.
NOVITSKY I’ve gotta go arrest Canseco.
SELIG (from the back row) Tell him I said “Hi”.
NOVITSKY Will do.
DMan you’re right both stories are fishy
The gentleman from Indiana is on a tear.
Both of these guys need to disappear off the face of the earth. And to think that brilliant Brian Cashman didnt go after Johan because of Andy’s return. What a mistake that will be. Cashman disgusts me.
Sounds like McNamee woke up one morning and decided to stop lying and telling only truth
McNamee is taking on major water…
May God Bless Dan Burton!!!
Wow looks like someone is pro Clemens.
how many balls did roger signed for that last congressman?
HE”S GOOD!!
This is really disgusting…(Wow!)
Here comes another Ma s s hole. I wonder whose side he will be on.
I guess he’s a season ticket holder.
what state was the “gee whiz” guy from?
Burton looks like a complete Clemens homer. Andy corroborates McNamee’s testimony to some extent so he can’t be lying about everything.
“Gotta give him credit though, he didn’t have to stop and have his lawyer tell him what to say.”
You’re getting desperate.
I think Clemens needs to bring McNamee’s brother in from Sicily and have him sit there during his testimony.
Then MacNamee will remember that it wasn’t HGH after but olive oil they used to import together during the old days
This is like watching The Talented Mr Ripley, it makes me cringe wondering how much deeper Roger’s gonna dig.
And I’m cringing even more wondering how Andy’s gonna pitch.
Burton should just stopped talking. So stupid.
So MacNamee admitted he lied in the past while Roger got tripped up and was advised by his lawyer to keep dodging the question until they moved on.
Two absolute gems up there.
I gotta do some work.. this is such a waste of time.
So Clemens DID have an abscess on his ass. Funny, didn’t he completely deny that?
This is gonna drive PEDitte to drink. Just don’t do a Leyritz Andy!
Jax just cuz you don’t like what someone says doesn’t mean he’s stupid
PATRICK MCHENRY FOR PRESIDENT!!!
www.bigapplesports.net
Wonder if Burton got his attention quota for the day.
I can’t believe we are listening to information about “palpable masses” on Roger’s butt. They sure went through a lot of effort here. Ridiculous. It would be “riveting” if it wasn’t reality and a complete waste of time.
Olde Twon,
He’ll babble, dodge, turn to his lawyers, and refuse to answer the question until the panel gets fed up with the hick and moves on to another question.
Ben, I think it was more the way in which Burton said what he wanted. LOL, Clemens is so buried his lawyer is trying to break the rules of the hearing in order to dig him out.
Ben the way he was acting and asking the questions was stupid. Not him personally being stupid.
Good one RonH.
This is all so confusing.
“So MacNamee admitted he lied in the past…”
Dude. Snap out of it. It’s not a video game. McNamee is the accuser. He needed to be about 100 times better than this in order to justify naming Clemens. Shame shame shame on Mitchell for producing this abortion of a report.
MM-
LOL!!
“I got a bad shot”
WOW
Clemens’ question dodging skills are better than most politicians!
This is more boring than a Dick Cheney speech.
LoHud’s headline writer, and the editor, must be unprofessional. the headline says “Pettitte says Clemens admitted HGH use”. The article indicates otherwise; Clemens actually told Pettitte - according to the article anyway - that he didn’t use it, his wife did.
kind of a big difference!
McNamee is heading for some Big trouble
McNamee is proof that a man will say anything to get out or not go to jail.
Yeah, this is boring. Some of these guys love Clemens, others are skeptical of him. Most of them have probably already made up their minds and are asking questions accordingly.
This is all powerfull, and somebody is lieing..
But..
We already knew that.. I don’t see much new here so far..
Whatever,
………and others will say anything, even if it means selling out a spouse & best friend, if it means trying to save their reputation.
George, the article is just trying to get your attention. Clemens admitted to HGH use BUT his wife’s that’s why they wrote that headline.
Olde Town Glory, I think you’re exactly right.
Macnamee is going down, they have him now!
What I don’t quite understand is why this breaking down along party lines? Why is this “our side” and “their side”? Will this become part of the party platforms for the Presidential election?
It’s not a surprise that a Congressman from Massachusetts bombarded Clemens with a previously unknown medical opinion
113th, ask his wife if he sold her out she’d probably say - Nope.
hey nypd, welcome back… how bout those Patriots. 18-1? they got schooled by the G-men! just gotta luv it!
Lori-
this whole show isn’t about Clemens, it’s about Mitchell. His friends are rallying around him. it’s not about party or policy.
Ok whatevered, I’ll go and ask his wife
Somebody is finally questioning the methods of the Mitchell Report.
Its good to see our rep’s are caring for the important issues in our country.
None of this changes the fact that the Pats choked in the Super Bowl.
why do they use injections of instead tablets.
I know PEDs do come in tablet form.
Sit down Rusty.lol
From SI’s David Epstein: “Souder and Cummings have told me previously that it’s a mistake to think this is all a waste of Congress’ time. They said that this is about public health and public education, so it shouldn’t be viewed as granstanding when they want to take on these issues publicly. The whole point, they say, is to educate the public about steroids and HGH, and to do that, they see the Mitchell Report as a document whose public credibility is important. They said that the public probably overestimates the resources they expend on this compared to other things because of the media attention, which is probably true. They’ve held a few hearings over the course of several years and it has caused a marked shift in baseball’s attitude toward drugs and drug testing.”