Roger Clemens Stumbles through Congressional Hearings in D.C.

Roger Clemens is guilty of taking steroids. 

That’s Brian McNamee’s story and he’s sticking to it…for now.

For nearly five hours, Clemens and McNamee were bombarded before Cogress with questions aimed at their respective credibilities.   McNamee’s brief, unclear answers raised eyebrows, while Clemens occasionally fumbled his words. 

Each of the Representatives used at least their allotted five minutes to question Clemens and McNamee, with most surpassing the time limit to make their points.  Politics looked to play a crucial roll in questioning.  Most Republicans seemed to sympathize with Clemens, while the Democrats' interrogations were very harsh.

It's clear that McNamee has lied about his accounts of events in locker rooms and in training sessions.  Still, Clemens is the one with the cards stacked against him. 

McNamee has hard evidence in the form of blood-stained syringes used in injecting Clemens. “The Rocket” has admitted to being injected by McNamee, but with B-12 vitamin shots only.

Longtime friend and teammate, Andy Pettitte came clean, admitting he used human growth hormone (HGH) to recover more quickly from a mid-season injury.  He has also gone on record saying that Clemens was also guilty of using HGH, doing away with Clemens' last shred of credibility.

Although Pettitte received praise for admitting his guilt right away, the fact is he's still guilty. 

As if being accused by the two athletes closest you isn’t enough, Roger’s wife, Debbie Clemens, has also admitted to receiving shots of HGH obtained through McNamee.

Still, through all of this, Clemens has maintained his innocence. 

“It’s hard to believe you, sir,” said Rep. of Maryland Elijah Cummings.  “I hate to say that.  You’re one of my heroes, but it’s hard to believe.”

It is indeed hard to believe. 

For the seven-time Cy Young Award winner to prove his innocence, he will have to explain just why Pettitte would lie to Congress in a statement attesting to Clemens' use of HGH, which he was unable to do Wednesday afternoon.

The testimony of the Clemens’ family nanny will also stir the pot.  She allegedly was involved in the visit to Jose Canseco’s home in Florida where it is believed that steroids usage was discussed.  It is also believed that Clemens may have tampered with this witness, meeting with her prior to his hearing. 

It was clear that McNamee faced more scrutiny in front of Congress, even being called a “drug dealer” by Connecticut Republican, Christopher Shays.

Throughout the afternoon, the hearings were generally respectful until Rep. Shays took a shot at McNamee, which Chairman Henry Waxman later apologized for. 

During the Chairman’s concluding statement, Clemens interrupted, defending himself.   In response, the chairman slammed down his gavel and stated that it was not Clemens’ time to argue.

Though a good portion of the day was spent inside the House, the only new fact emerging was that the Representatives had a sense of humor.  One Representative brought up a previous Congressional hearing in which a player mysteriously forgot how to speak English, referring to Sammy Sosa’s appearance on Capital Hill. 

The session did not uncover anything new regarding the investigation and neither McNamee nor Clemens budged from their stance of mutual accusation.

Should Clemens be found guilty of perjury?

There is a good chance that he will stand trial.  Clearly, every little move he makes will be noticed by the watchful federal government.

Waxman has stated that Congress will not play as large a role in these proceedings from here on out, but it does not mean that investigation has ended.

Clemens is a statistical lock for the Hall of Fame.  With 354 wins in his 24 year career, he ranks at an all-time eighth.  He is second all-time in strikeouts with 4,672, and was an eleven-time All-Star. 

But these numbers will mean nothing with this scandal looming overhead.

Shades of Pete Rose emerge with every denial.  Roger, do the right thing and come clean.