Liar, Liar

Roger Clemens was indicted for perjury yesterday, and could face many, many years in prison if found guilty. In 2008, Clemens appeared before Congress denying any use of HGH or steroids. He was not forced to make that appearance, but did so by choice. He tried to clear his name while others were burying it in the mud. Anytime an athlete's name is associated with enhancers, there is no exoneration. Barry Bonds and Clemens will learn that even if the court finds them innocent of perjury, and thus never enhanced, the public will still look at them warily, and the Hall of Fame voters may not change their votes.

Congress must have good reason to present this case. They wouldn't indict without a strong chance of proving guilt. Enough evidence and witnesses must be accounted for prior to indicting an innocent person. These athletes need to learn not to mess with Congress. The money and fame may get them out of jams, but Congress does not like being lied to. Clemens' maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison with a $1.5 million fine is proof of that.

The most damning aspect of the case against Clemens is the statements of Brian McNamee and Andy Pettitte. Both should be considered friends of Clemens, McNamee being his personal trainer, and Pettitte, his teammate. Both have spoken out against Clemens, saying he took enhancers, and speaking those words before Congress. Neither has anything to gain by lying against Clemens before Congress, which makes it seem Clemens is, in fact, the liar.

More than just words though, there needs to be evidence, proof that Clemens did enhance. McNamee claims to have kept vials containing DNA and steroids from Clemens' usage years ago. McNamee does seem odd, and creepy to keep such evidence, but if allowed by the court, the evidence could be the final straw.

It is sad to see the legends of this generation fall so low. So many stories are told of the legends of yesterday; Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, etc., but how will future generations judge the current one? What stories can be told of these tainted legends? The enhancing mess could just be a slippery slope of science staying ahead of sports, creating substances harder to detect. MLB still does not properly test for HGH, so players now could still be enhancing. Until the testing ensures there is no possible enhancement in sports, fans will remain jaded to accomplishments.

Unless Bonds and Clemens accept plea bargains, and admit to lying, they will remain in baseball exile. Bonds should be as loved in San Fransisco like Willie Stargell, or Willie Mays, but he is shunned by the team, as they have moved on to focus on their current young players, keeping the focus on their current roster, and off their tainted marvel. Clemens should be universally loved in Houston as Nolan Ryan is, instead, the town is split, as is New York over how he should be treated. These players let their ego get the best of them and felt untouchable. Now they're unlikely to make the Hall of Fame any time soon, and the teams that employed them don't really want them around. Their shining stars have quickly faded into black holes, and the only escape is truth.