Peter Abraham Needs a Dictionary
After mentioning Roger Clemens’ upcoming appearance on 60 Minutes Yankee beat reporter Peter Abraham writes:
“Say this for Clemens, he’s not hiding.”
Really? While conducting his investigation George Mitchell contacted every player incriminated with a chance to respond. Roger Clemens refused to talk.
The Mitchell Report was subsequently released on December 13. Since then the Clemens’ camp has released several written statements, his attorney made a video appearance, and Clemens himself released a rehearsed video on his website.
On January 6 Clemens will appear on 60 minutes. Clemens chose 89 year old Mike Wallace, a Clemens friend and Yankee fan, to ask the questions. The interview will take place at Clemens’ home. The day after the interview Clemens will hold a press conference where (hopefully) reporters can finally ask him questions regarding his alleged steroid use.
Roger Clemens refused to talk to Mitchell when given the chance and has taken almost 4 weeks to make a public appearance not under his complete control. His insistence to face the allegations when ready is his right. But it begs the question: If innocent, why the need for so much time? Why the need to hide from a questioning public?
The obvious answer: Roger Clemens needed time to get his story straight.
The article’s comment section is, as always at LOHUD, comical. One comment from Kill-Schill(ing) — classy, I know — was especially ironic:
“It made me realize that if I was sent to war tomorrow and I could choose one Yankee to accompany me in a fox hole, there wouldn’t be a question who I’d select.”
When New York was within striking distance of Boston in September Roger Clemens was no where to be found (2 starts). When he returned to face Cleveland in game 3 of their playoff series with his team on the verge of elimination Clemens responded with 2.1 innings of 3 run ball before limping off the mound.
His inability to show up big in crucial games, by injury or simply sucking, is clear to anyone who’s paid attention to his career. Fact: With his team facing elimination, Clemens has one win in seven chances and a 5.28 ERA.
If I were in a fox hole with Roger Clemens I’d start praying.
