Check out our Clemens hearing live blog right here. We're just past the opening statements at McNamee-Clemens Fest 2008, and while the opening statements are usually the most innocuous part of any Congressional hearing, Roger Clemens just ceded some serious ground to Brian McNamee.
How? In his opening statement, Clemens repeated most of his usual press talking points about being unable to prove a negative, respecting the game, and so on, but added a new twist to his comments:
"If I'm guilty of anything, it's of being too trusting of everyone, wanting to see the best in everyone and being too nice to everyone."
That's a money quote right there. See, Roger Clemens is so convinced of his own innocence, his own deified status, that he probably genuinely believes saying he's been nice to people is going to get him out of the quicksand he's currently in.
In the meantime, Brian McNamee gave a pretty reserved, reflective statement. He apologized for sullying the game of baseball and rather convincingly explained why he turned on Roger Clemens, and why he kept the material evidence he gave last week. His reason: He never trusted Roger, feared that if steroids ever became an issue for Clemens that Clemens would "be looking out for No. 1," and that his experience as a former cop made him wary of ditching evidence that prevented his own scapegoating.
All in all, it makes sense. Considerably more sense than Roger's persecution complex.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-13-2008 @ 12:11PM
bet the super bowl said...
Couldn't McNamee just have kepy his mouth shut to begin with?
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2-13-2008 @ 12:58PM
Richard Sanders said...
i think it is more likely that if he did actually keep this stuff and Roger did actually use hgh or roids that McNamee was planning on black mailing him with it. There is no other reasonable reason to hang on to it.
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2-13-2008 @ 1:08PM
Iron Mike said...
Mcnamee thinks its better to ask beg forgiveness than keep his mouth shut.
Peace...Iron Mike
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2-13-2008 @ 1:27PM
Darrell said...
Does it really matter? There is no actual proof of anything at present. I would believe that both of them are lying to some degree. And I also believe that Congress has much more important issues at hand, rather than listening to he said, no he said business. Can you believe these are our elected officials? Correct me if Im wrong, but isn't the economy in a bad state. And, oh yea, isn't there presently a War going on. But, I can see where investigating steriod accusations in baseball would be more important to the welfare of the American Citizens. You go Congress, I'll see you in November.
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2-13-2008 @ 2:01PM
Phil said...
ALL U PEOPLE R CRAZY. U KNOW WHAT, NO ONE SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY WHEN BOND WAS CHARGE WITH LYING. THERE U HAVE THE RACIST ATTITTUDE OF AMERICA. WHO THE HELL SIGNS BALLS AND DIFFERENT THINGS BEFORE A CONGRESSIONAL HEREING, BS
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2-13-2008 @ 2:53PM
Virg Linebrink said...
M. Jones loses her medals! Rose is BANNED from Hall. Bonds, Clemens, get a free pass. Explain the balance of justice please!
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2-13-2008 @ 3:09PM
david gray said...
Who friggin cares about a meaningless dog and pony show
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2-14-2008 @ 11:34AM
Zo said...
Hell no. If Bonds goes down for perjury then so does Clemens. He was lying so bad that he stuttered during every answer. No because he is seen as the great white hope he is able to escape the perjury charges. Thank you #5 who signs autographs before you are sworn in to give testimony. That was a circus. The republicans seem to defend Clemens. It wouldn't be the first time the believed liar (Bush).
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