THROWING KNIVES: SORRY ROG

by BD, Staff Writer

And to think I was already planning to write this before I saw that The Rocket elected to file a defamation lawsuit against Brian McNamee.

I'll admit that I didn't watch the majority of Clemens interview with Mike Wallace last night. More accurately I didn't watch any of it because I knew I wouldn't have to. All of the overnight sports shows were playing back damn near the whole thing and for awhile it came off as about what I expected. A last ditch effort to scoop up sympathy before he lies on Capitol Hill. Or better yet, Roger won't be interested in talking about the past either.

Then I heard it... (and don't expect an exact quote here) it was something like this: "don't I deserve an inch of respect after X number of years? Haven't I earned the benefit of the doubt?" Afraid not, chief. Not when all signs point to guilt on your part. Not when countless players named in the Mitchell Report have at least played the "I did it once, it was a mistake" game. Not a chance. Even worse, your lover best friend Andy Pettitte gave McNamee credibility when he confirmed his use of PED's.

Speaking of Pettitte, wasn't it interesting to hear Roger deny any awareness of what his boytoy was doing to his body? I know I try to be aware of what I'm sticking my "rocket" into. I'd sure as hell hope THE Rocket would be as well. I mean, if Pettitte was out there engaging in the many activities that can result in the contraction of diseases I'd hope Roger was aware. Case in point: these guys were just too close for Roger to have not known of Andy's PED use. No one's going to buy that line.

It annoys me a great deal that he thought we'd eat up his every word though. Just because he was a great player (or was he?) doesn't make him any more credible than Fernando Vina. Especially given how widespread PED use was (and is?) throughout the sport.

As far as Roger's offer to take a lie-detector test? He can say that he'd like to, but I think his demeanor alone within the interview as well as the clip on his Web site help indict him. He's guilty and even if he passed a lie-detector (after having convinced himself of his innocence, of course -- as Shanoff points out) it wouldn't change what I think is already clear to most of us. As Roger wears the face of a liar about as well as Barry does.

One final thought... Which do you figure bothered Clemens wife more? His recession to the bottle rocket? Or the funk coming from it after a "work out" with Andy?

National Title Game
LSU (-4) vs. Ohio State
My Pick: LSU
Though to bs honest nothing but a Buckeye blowout would really surprise me. LSU's no less overrated than the team they'll meet tonight in their backyard.

Question O' The Day: With Clemens almost certainly dirty, who was/is the best pitcher of the generation?
My Answer: Greg Maddux, consistently consistent. Can't ask for much more.