Roger Clemens will swear on CBS's 60 Minutes that he was only injected with B-12 and Lidocaine (joint pain killer). Brian McNamee, a former strength coach for the Blue Jays and Yankees, told George Mitchell he personally injected Clemens with steroids in 1998 while they were with Toronto, and with steroids and human growth hormone in 2000 and 2001 while with New York. Someone is lying and everybody is so sure that it's Clemens. Why? I think it's the skepticism of the whole "steroid era" in baseball. McNamee could sue Clemens for defaming him on national television and Clemens has claimed he'll be suing McNamee. Again, both parties will have to testify under oath at some point about what they know. With no concrete evidence, it's a he said/he said thing. But, Clemens has way more on the line than McNamee. His reputation and career are on the line. It's likely that even if he's somehow exonerated that the holier than thou baseball writers will convict Clemens in the court of public opinion and deny him the Hall of Fame. I find this whole thing compelling and frustrating. I generally don't watch 60 Minutes, but I'll be watching on Sunday. I want to believe Clemens. I've always appreciated him as my generations greatest pitcher. I never once thought he was enhancing his performance through banned substances. He always worked hard in the weight room and conditioning. His work ethic was great. His style was phenomenal. Right now I'm standing by Clemens until I see otherwise. I hope others do too.

I heard Bob Costas come up with a great explanation of how to handle steroids in baseball and I think it's sound. In the baseball history book, put a chapter (maybe even a plague at Cooperstown) talking about the Mitchell Report, etc. Then leave the records as is, no asterisk. Let those who visit and the baseball fans judge how they see fit. But, I think Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, Clemens, et. al., should be Hall of Famers, without a doubt. 

MLB clemens, steroids