Roger Clemens on 60 Minutes

In the wake of the Mitchell Report lies the reputation of first ballot Hall of Fame pitcher, Roger Clemens. Clemens has been accused of receiving both steroid and HGH injections while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees. A personnel assistant/strength trainer alleges that he gave Clemens these injections and the syringes were supplied by Clemens.

I say alleged because what we have here is the word of a strength coach that is facing jail-time and who has cooperated with the federal authorities in this investigation into what has turned into an eyesore for the game of baseball. Cheating at the major league level and by some of the greatest players of this era. An era that has been sullied by these reports and is now loosely termed " The Steroid Era".

Roger Clemens has always been an exceptional pitcher. A pitcher with a reputation of working extremely hard at his craft, a craft he excelled at. But one does have to wonder if Clemens used a little something to help his aging body get closer to 100% to make "his next start". As many so-called experts have mentioned about Barry Bonds getting physically bigger in his late 30s, the same happened with Roger Clemens. Clemens appeared to gain muscle mass and size as he got older. It wasn't as apparent as with Bonds. Bonds is/was an everyday player, while Clemens made his one appearance and then sat for 4 or 5 days before his next start.

But tonight Clemens faced perhaps his toughest opponent. Questions about injections and questions about his honesty. I've always admired Roger Clemens for his work ethic. He is truly a historian of the sport and a perfectionist at his craft. He worked very hard during the off season to remain fit and he was paid handsomely for his efforts. With rumors of hitters taking steroids, it would only make sense that pitchers could benefit from such illegal substances, if only to level the playing field.