The Sports Truth

Hey, he’s gotta do something with his time - and he’s got skills!

Dogged by allegations of HGH use and throwing Debbie Clemens under the bus (not literally, of course), the Rocket demonstrated a knack for acting during his recent appearance before Congress. Seriously, you couldn’t write better stuff.

Here’s a few movies we’d like to see Roger Clemens featured in… we think the titles are certainly appropriate and they should really roll out new editions …

Coming in 2008: Roger Clemens in Liar Liar and There Will Be Blood. 

Here’s a passionate denial from Roger Clemens about his alleged steroid use:

Do you believe him?

The Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association has removed Roger Clemens as the keynote speaker at its state convention next month, citing Clemens’ inclusion in the Mitchell Report for having allegedly taken steroids and human growth hormone from 1999-2002. The association concluded that Clemens “was an inappropriate influencer to baseball coaches and students alike.”

Ironically - and certainly not coincidental to his dismissal from the state convention - the topic of Clemens’ speech was to be “my vigorous workout, how I played so long [in professional baseball].” Considering that Clemens’ alleges that his continued success in the twilight of his career is due to his work ethic when the Mitchell Report claims it is due to steroid and human growth hormone use, it is not surprising that he will no longer be speaking.

To view the Mitchell Report click here

Roger Clemens
During the Radomski investigation, federal law enforcement officials identified Brian McNamee as one of Radomski’s customers and a possible sub-distributor. After McNamee began working for the Blue Jays in 1998, he and Clemens both lived at the Toronto Sky Dome [hotel]. McNamee and Clemens became close professionally while in Toronto, but they were not close socially or personally.

Jose Canseco was playing for the Blue Jays in 1998. On or about June 8-10, 1998, the Toronto Blue Jays played an away series with the Florida Marlins. McNamee a lunch party that Canseco hosted at his home in Miami. McNamee stated that, during this luncheon, he observed Clemens, Canseco, and another person he did not know meeting inside Canseco’s house. Canseco [said] he had numerous conversations with Clemens about the benefits of Deca-Durabolin and Winstrol and how to “cycle” and “stack” steroids. Towards the end of the road trip which included the Marlins series, or shortly after the Blue Jays returned home to Toronto, Clemens approached McNamee and, for the first time, brought up the subject of using steroids. Clemens said that he was not able to inject himself and he asked for McNamee’s help.

Later that summer, Clemens asked McNamee to inject him with Winstrol, which Clemens supplied. McNamee knew the substance was Winstrol because the vials Clemens gave him were so labeled. McNamee injected Clemens approximately four times in the buttocks over a several-week period with needles that Clemens provided. Each incident took place in Clemens’s apartment at the Sky Dome. McNamee never asked Clemens where he obtained the steroids.

During the 1998 season (around the time of the injections), Clemens showed McNamee a white bottle of Anadrol-50. Clemens told McNamee he was not using it but wanted to know more about it. McNamee told Clemens not to use it. McNamee said he took the bottle and gave it to Canseco. McNamee does not know where Clemens obtained the Anadrol-50.

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To view the Mitchell Report click here

Lenny Dykstra
Dykstra reported to spring training in 1989 [and] “his increased size was noticeable.” When [Kirk] Radomski asked him about his increased size, Dykstra admitted to taking steroids. Radomski also recalled that Dykstra’s weight fluctuated during that spring training. He stated that members of the Mets’ management discussed Dykstra’s weight fluctuations with the team’s athletic trainers and that “the trainers would just laugh.”

After the Phillies lost the 1993 World Series, Dykstra called Radomski and asked whether Radonski could get Dykstra steroids. Radomski…recalled providing Dykstra with Deca-Durabolin, Dianabol, and testosterone.

David Segui
In 1994, while Segui was playing for the Mets, he and Radomski became friends. According to Radomski, Segui admitted to him that he used steroids during that season. Radomski recalled that either at the very end of Segui’s time with the Mets (1995) or shortly thereafter, Segui showed him a bottle of anabolic steroids he had recieved from Mexico. In a subsequent meeting, Radomski gave Segui without charge a bottle of Deca-Durabolin and told Segui to try it.

Deca-Durabolin was Segui’s steroid of choice in the 1990s because it was safe, did not expire for three to four years, and was thought to help alleviate joint pain. Radomski said that Segui paid for the steroids by check although Radomski never asked him to pay for them.

Toward the end of his career, Segui told Radomski that he had a growth hormone deficiency and was getting human growth hormone from a doctor in Florida.

Segui is the only player who called Radomski after news of his plea agreement was reported in the media. Segui asked Radomski if there was anything he could do for him. Radomski told Segui that he likely would have to tell the government about Segui’s steroid and growth hormone use and Segui responded that he did not care.

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CNN has leaked the names of the players, both current and former, who were identified by the Mitchell Report as having used steroids…sometime in the past. By identified, the Mitchell Report means rumored to have used steroids based on unconfirmed testimony from “various sources” including reputable clubhouse attendants personal trainers

To view the Mitchell Report click here

The names identified are:

Brady Anderson, Manny Alexander, Rick Ankiel, Jeff Bagwell, Barry Bonds, Aaron Boone, Rafael Bettancourt, Bret Boone, Milton Bradley, David Bell, Dante Bichette, Albert Belle, Paul Byrd, Wil Cordero, Ken Caminiti, Mike Cameron, Ramon Castro, Jose and Ozzie Canseco, Roger Clemens, Paxton Crawford, Wilson Delgado, Lenny Dykstra, Johnny Damon, Carl Everett, Kyle Farnsoworth, Ryan Franklin, Troy Glaus, Rich Garces, Jason Grimsley, Troy Glaus, Juan Gonzalez, Eric Gagne, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Giambi, Jeremy Giambi, Jose Guillen, Jay Gibbons, Juan Gonzalez, Clay Hensley, Jerry Hairston, Felix Heredia, Jr., Darren Holmes, Wally Joyner, Darryl Kile, Matt Lawton, Raul Mondesi, Mark McGwire, Guillermo Mota, Robert Machado, Damian Moss, Abraham Nunez, Trot Nixon, Jose Offerman, Andy Pettitte, Mark Prior, Neifi Perez, Rafael Palmiero, Albert Pujols, Brian Roberts, Juan Rincon, John Rocker, Pudge Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Scott Schoenweiis, David Segui, Alex Sanchez, Gary Sheffield, Miguel Tejada, Julian Tavarez, Fernando Tatis, Maurice Vaughn, Jason Varitek, Ismael Valdez, Matt Williams and Kerry Wood.

Interestingly, Gary Matthews Jr. is not on the list.

Lenny Dykstra may have a hard time finding work after being identified in the Mitchell Report.

Gary Matthews Jr. apologized to the Los Angeles Angels for causing a distraction to the team during spring training.

Well, his agent did at least.

Matthews allegedly was sent human growth hormone in 2004 from a pharmacy that’s part of a widespread steroid investigation, and Angels owner Arte Moreno has asked Matthews to publicly address the issue, a stance baseball commissioner Bud Selig backed Saturday.

“Gary regrets the distraction this story has caused the Angels front office, the manager and his staff, teammates and fans,” Matthews’ agent, Scott Leventhal, said in a statement. “However, given the ongoing investigation, he simply cannot discuss the matter until appropriate to do so. Gary sincerely apologizes for this distraction and is determined to resolve this issue in a timely manner.”

That sounds sincere. An apology for causing a distraction - not for illegally taking performance enhancing drugs - read by your agent is sure to quell the issue.

We don’t claim to be legal minds here at The Sports Truth … but if you didn’t take HGH, and your name is connected with taking HGH, we’re pretty sure you’re allowed to come out and say you didn’t take HGH.

In related news, Barry Bonds recently invited Matthews over for brunch.

As reported by Sports Illustrated, Evan Fields picked up three vials of testosterone in June 2004 from a doctor in Georgia. The transaction was documened through SI.com’s probe into The Palm Beach Rejuvenation Center.

Later that month Fields also obtained five vials of Saizen and three months later returned for treatment of hypogonadism, a condition whereby sex glands produce little or no hormones. Now, here’s the truly shocking part:

Investigators noted that Fields shares both the birth date and home address of former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. Moreover,, when SI called a phone number on a Post-It note attached to the Fields patient file, Holyfield answered.

The staff at The Sports Truth isn’t shocked that Holyfield uses steroids - at this point, we’d only be shocked if Tim McCarver was busted for HGH - but we’re aghast at the moniker he chose to use.

Evan Field?!? Come on, Evander. We knew you weren’t the sharpest glove in the ring by the fact that you’re still fighting in it at age 44, but you couldn’t have asked Michael Vick (aka Ron Mexico) for nickname advice?

In less surprising new, John Rocker is also accused of using HGH. He doesn’t like gay people.

They’ve given $126 million to Barry Zito, but the coming weeks will really show us what the San Francisco Giants are made of.

They have a chance to make a statement, to stand up for what’s right. To preserve the integrity of Hank Aaron and what little Major League Baseball has left.

What do they need to do? Nothing.

That’s right, cut off negotiations with Barry Bonds. Issue a statement that the club is beginning a youth movement and has decided to go in a new direction. Then watch with delight as no team in the league picks him up and the steroids era meets its bitter (if only symbolic) end.

Okay, that’s wishful thinking. It take serious cojones to bid adieu to any franchise player - much less a man that has spent 14 years with the team, won countless awards, obliterated records and surpassed all but one on the all-time home run list.

It seems insane to walk away from their one-year, $16 million verbal deal with Bonds now, with him needing just 22 home runs to pass Hank Aaron and become baseball’s all-time home run king. But would anyone be upset? Does anyone argue it would be better for San Francisco?

Granted, I live 3,000 miles away from McCovey Cove. Perhaps there are half a dozen Bonds sympathizers lurking somewhere, or casual fans who just want to witness the record being broken. But I speak for the majority of fans when in saying I hope this contemptible prima donna never plays again.

When Bonds missed all but the final weeks of the 2005 season, I prayed that was it. I let myself believed that the game dodged a bullet. But he made his way back, and now it’s up to the Giants to pull the plug on a career that is perhaps the game’s most accomplished - and definitely its most heartbreaking.

Seriously. This is a gift - a chance to bail without shame. The Giants could blame it on Bonds’ failed drug test, after it was revealed last week that during the ‘06 season, the lefty tested positive for amphetamines. Or, they could cite the high injury risk he poses. Or the circus effect. Or the fact that there are far better uses for $16 million, even in this inflated market.

There’s also, you know, the perjury charge he’s being investigated for. In the BALCO case, dating back to the grand jury in 2003. Really, whatever route they want to take, it’s there. Just do it. Please.

Because if the Giants let Bonds go, there’s no way another team signs him. No one will cough up the kind of money he wants, agree to play him in left field, or want to deal with the headaches. He’ll be forced to retire and end his career on the most sour note imaginable - appropriate, given his unquestioned place as one of the most boorish, abrasive and disgraceful figures in sports history.

San Francisco - and any other team contemplating signing Bonds for a box office boost in the event he hits the open market - needs to consider its place in history. Hank Aaron earned his place in history and should hold the sport’s most cherished record until he’s surpassed by someone worthy.

The all-time home-run king can’t be a joke. He just can’t. We’ve already seen the demise of Roger Maris‘ single-season record 61 to Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire. Legends of the game shouldn’t have their records broken by individuals who changed their bodies with the aid of illegal, performance-enhancing substances. Not any longer.

If the events of last week are any indication, the writers might be able to keep Bonds out of the Baseball Hall of Fame. But records matter, too, and the all-time home-run mark will be his if the Giants don’t walk away. Bonds’ name won’t be expunged from the history books. It all comes down to you, San Francisco. Do what’s right. Do it for all of us.

One was the iron man who played in 2,632 consecutive games.

One was the hitting machine who won eight batting titles.

Both were voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this week, but their achievements were overshadowed by a man who wasn’t: A slugger who shattered Roger Maris‘ single-season home run record, and who many credited with saving the game in the late 1990s, but later fell from grace because of suspected steroid use.

The name of Mark McGwire was included on just 128 of the 545 ballots (23.5 percent) cast by baseball writers who took part in the voting. Far short of the 75 percent needed for induction, McGwire’s rejection is an encouraging sign that writers will not look the other way regarding the sport’s steroids era - even if the league itself will.

McGwire, 43, retired after the 2001 season, his 583 career home runs good for seventh all-time. As concern over steroid use grew, McGwire came under increasing suspicion in retirement. It came to a head when he refused to answer questions about steroid use during Congressional hearings in March 2005.

McGwire repeatedly stated he would not discuss the past, a silence overwhelmingly viewed by baseball writers who take part in the Hall of Fame voting as an admission that he took steroids while playing. The fact that he would not publicly acknowledge doing so, at the hearing or since then, only made matters worse.

New inductees Tony Gwynn, the perennially prolific hitter, and Cal Ripken, Jr., the shortstop who broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played streak in 1995, offered differing opinions on McGwire.

“The fact that Mark didn’t get in, I think it’s more of people making a statement about the Congressional hearings than it is what he was able to do on the baseball field,” Gwynn said. “I don’t mind saying I think he’s a Hall of Famer. I do.”

“When I sit and look at myself, I don’t think it’s my place to actually cast judgment,” Ripken said. “I honestly believe the truth will be known. It saddens me that baseball as a whole had to go through this process and had the integrity of the game be questioned because of steroid use.”

A vague indictment - and one that may prove telling. It remains to be seen whether the verdict on McGwire has a trickle-down effect on Hall of Fame chances of others linked to steroids:

• Rafael Palmeiro, one of four players with more than 3,000 hits and 500 homers, who failed a drug test in 2005.
• Sammy Sosa, whose home run battle with McGwire in 1998 entranced much of the nation, but who has also been linked to steroid use and offered unrevealing testimony at the 2005 hearings.
• Barry Bonds, who eclipsed McGwire’s single-season record with 73 home runs in 2001 and needs only 22 homers to pass career leader Hank Aaron, but who. remains under investigation by a federal grand jury in connection with the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) steroid-distribution case.

One can only hope that all three are stonewalled by the writers, who appear willing to protect the integrity of the game and the Hall of Fame. Cooperstown should be a shrine to the elite, and if evidence exists that a player would not qualify without the aid of performance enhancing drugs, he cannot in good conscience be admitted.