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Today's Poll: Do you think Roger Clemens used performance enhancing drugs?

By Howard B. Owens
Billie Owens

I don't get it. Why would you not care if an athlete who gets all these accolades is actually a phony? I heard somebody at the ballpark say that this sort of thing has gone on well before there were designer performance-enhancing drugs -- that in the old days they juiced with cocaine. I don't believe it. Cocaine is not only addictive, its continued use diminishes physical performance.

It seems to me that Roger benefited from some mighty good lawyering and the holes they blew into the testimony of key witnesses. OK, so he won in court. That doesn't make him squeeky clean magically, it's just the limit of the law. Ditto, Barry Bonds, who should be the poster boy for this type of thing. Shameless, in my humble opinion.

One day, science will catch up with this behavior and expose it plainly.

"Where have you gone, Joe Dimaggio?"

Jun 19, 2012, 1:08pm Permalink
Billie Owens

I think some athletes feel compelled to dope because some American sports these days at the elite level is about the lucre and sponsorships, pushing the limits helps fuel ticket sales.

Jun 19, 2012, 1:24pm Permalink
Ed Gentner

Billie, Roger Clemens never once tested positive for steroids or any other "performance enhancing drugs" as a player. The whole nonsense is due to the unsubstantiated claim that he used steroids and that he provided false testimony before a Congressional Committee while under oath when he denied that unsubstantiated claim. It would have been nice to see that same group of sanctimonious blowhards apply the same standards to the long list of Wall Street bankers who ruined the economy or the poltroons who lied the country into a nine year war in Iraq.

Jun 19, 2012, 1:32pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

For most of Clemen's career, there was no testing. He retired in 2007 and random testing didn't start until 2004, the same year Clemens put together his last substantial season.

Jun 19, 2012, 1:45pm Permalink
Billie Owens

I too wish the "long list of Wall Street bankers who ruined the economy or the poltroons who lied the country into a nine-year war in Iraq" would have had tough standards applied to them -- the consequences of their actions are far worse than problems in sports.

Jun 19, 2012, 2:44pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

The litany of reasons for "I could care less" is lengthy. The primary reason is that Clemens has been out of MLB for years. Secondly, it is a major distraction (excuse) for Congress to dilly-dally on some issue far less vital to this country. Thirdly, performance enhancing drugs are not going away; there is too much on the line NOT to use them. And last on the short-list: MLB has its own governing body and enforcement; the commissioners should be dealing with this.

There are 750 players in MLB; 1200, if you count those on deck in the minors. Anyone over age 16 can tryout for MLB. With two continents (at least) dreaming of a place on a major league team, hundreds of thousands must be vying for a spot in the line up. With an average salary of over $3 million, average career length of less than six years- PEDs could only be considered 'cheating' if they were the exception to the rule. There are more than 50 types of anabolic androgenic steroids, more than 30 types of stimulants, HGH, synthetic insulin, erythropoietin, diuretics and masking agents, anabolic agents and hormone modulators, gonadotrophins, and hundreds of bio-chemists developing new strategies including the use of ADHD medication or methods to mask PED use.

A recent survey revealed 6% of HS senior males use steroids. 80% of those using steroids connected the use to ambition to play pro sports. 65% considered the chance to become a professional athlete out-weighed the risks to health. 57% asserted they would use PEDs even if it shortened their life. 60% profess pro athletes have a right to use PEDs and acknowledged that use by pro athletes influenced their own involvement with PEDs.

We live in a medicine cabinet culture and presume life ends at 30. None of this should come as a surprise- except for those who cling to Olympian myths.

Jun 19, 2012, 10:57pm Permalink
RICHARD L. HALE

For the life of me, I can't understand why Roger just didn't admit to it in the first place. Countless others admitted to using....and life went on..no problem.

They could put a stop to all of this tomorrow if they wanted to. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT USING ANY ILLEGAL DRUG, YOU ARE BANNED FOR LIFE FROM YOUR RESPECTIVE SPORT....PERIOD !!! As someone said earlier, there are only 750 players in the majors. Its a privilege and an honor to play baseball..it is not a right.

Why they won't do that....too much money on the table.

To answer the question, yes he probably did...proving it is a whole other deal.

Jun 19, 2012, 11:59pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

How many people would admit to anything that can't be proven, maybe Roger doesn't want his legacy to have the same asterik as Barry Bonds, or Mark Maguire.
I can't say whether Rocket is protecting himself, or the integrity of the game, after all, it's not like anyone can take away the millions he made.
I agree with Richard, lifetime ban if caught using PED's, or any illegal drugs.

Jun 20, 2012, 5:19am Permalink
Jason Crater

Clemens probably thought he still had a shot at the HoF if he could avoid the accusations. The HoF voters have repeatedly stated that those connected to steroids will not be voted in. His ego doesn't allow him to admit it. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on which side you stand on, the drama that his trials have caused will likely prevent his entrance to the HoF anyway.

Billie - There are many many cases of MLB players using cocaine before/during/after games. Its addictive qualities rarely deter those that use it.

Jun 20, 2012, 9:49am Permalink

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