I used to be a die-hard Roger Clemens fan, and initially I gave him the benefit of the doubt concerning allegations made against him in the Mitchell report. After all, there were 80+ people named, so I wouldn't be suprised if there were one or two mistakes. However, the manner in which Roger has handled McNamee's allegations has caused me to take a harder look at things, and each day I become more and more convinced that Roger is guilty guilty guilty.

First off, we have the motive issue. Why would McNamee lie? A lie puts him at risk of perjury, the suddenly en-vogue offense for the Feds to prosecute. The whole idea of a plea deal is to get everything out there and off your chest while you have the immunity carrot dangling--what does he gain by naming Clemens? McNamee had done an excellent job pre-Mitchell Report at maintaining a low profile, and he continues to turn down book deals and movie rights despite his sick kid, so I doubt he was looking to cause a sensation, otherwise he would have taken the Canseco route.

Then we have Clemens' motive. He has every reason in the world to lie. Not only is he not under oath yet, so he isn't at risk or perjury, but he has a lot to lose if McNamee is speaking the truth. Hall of Fame, future speaking engagements, a career as an analyst, coach or scout. Roger has a lot to lose, a lot of motive to lie.

Second, everything else McNamee has said to this point has been substantiated. Andy Pettite, Roger's best bud, admitted that McNamee had in fact injected him with HGH. Whether you buy Andy's excuse for why he did it is irrelevant. He admitted that what McNamee said was true--he injected him twice with HGH as stated in Mitchell report. Why would McNamee tell the truth about some players, and then just throw in a lie about Clemens--the biggest name he would name. It just doesn't make sense to perjure yourself at that point. If McNamee was making crap up, wouldn't you expect other players he named to join in on Clemens' defamation lawsuit?

Third--Clemens' taped phone call. I lost every iota of respect I had for Roger Clemens when he taped and played that call at the press conference. To call the guy under the guise of checking up on his critically ill child when in fact you are secretly taping the call and looking to make him contradict himself is pretty low. It is interesting that despite the pressure that Clemens put McNamee under, he never did anything in the call to make someone doubt his allegations. And then Roger tells him not to come to Texas because his family is mad and he is afraid of what they would do to McNamee. Bush-league attempt at intimidation there.

Fourth Clemens' lawyers claim they were not aware of the allegations in the Mitchell Report previous to its being made public. Two days after that statement, the Congressional Committee asks his lawyers to surrender copies of taped interviews their investigators had with McNamee in the weeks prior to the issuance of the Mitchell Report. Oops. Seems their habit of taping interviews and phone calls blowed up on them here. Seems they hired investigators to research McNamee's claims two months before the Report was made public.

Fifth Clemens has claimed that he and his agent were also broadsided by the Mitchell Report and had no idea he was to be named. Today, MLB and Sen. Mitchell submitted to the Congressional Committee copies of letters issued by Sen Mitchell to the MLBPA stating which players would be named, with details of the allegations. All players were invited to meet with Mitchell to see evidence and to dispute or rebut allegations. A second letter was specifically mailed to the agents of all current players named.

So, what it comes down to for me is this: Clemens knew in advance what he was being accused of. He had his lawyers looking into it well in advance of the publishing of the Mitchell Report. Both he and his representation have made untrue statements publically about their knowledge of the allegations, and they have acted very surreptitiously in their efforts not to prove their innocence, but to besmear his accuser.

Guilty, guilty, guilty.

Roger Clemens is one of my biggest heroes, and everything that has surfaced hasn't changed that. His actions as of late have been very suspicious but I don't think he should be crucified based on what one former trainer said. McNamee is desperate and for any number of reasons may have named Roger Clemens.

Even if he was injected with HGH, I still wouldn't care. It wasn't a banned substance when he allegedly used it. If he, in fact used Deca-Durabolin and other illegal steroids he would be off my hero list. I am still on his side regardless of what McNamee has said.

It was an era of steroids, personally I think MCGwire, Palmeiro, Sosa, Clemens and Bonds would have all been better off to admit the truth before it was exposed and take their lashes like men. Considering Big Mac got a measly 26% of HOF votes (75% required), I'd say they're hurting themselves that much more by pulling a Pete Rose and not just being honest from day 1.
I personally understand why they took it and while I don't condone it, I certainly think they're exacerbating the situation by bringing congress, perjury, etc, into it.
Fess up...we still know you were one of the greatest pitchers ever, lying just makes your flaws look worse.

I saw Clemens with the Astros vs the Cardinals when Houston went to the world series. I honestly thought it may have been his last game ever. Just like taking steroids doesn't help you get wood on a ball. Steroids doesn't teach you how to pitch and where to pitch. It's a shame these extremely competitive guys (all hall of famers before they got messed up with roids) tarnished their great careers with roids. I can forgive that to the extent that it was rampant in the 90s and beyond. I have a harder time forgiving when these players lie to us about it.