Clemens' Stock Is Falling

by Eli Greenspan on Dec 18, 2007 12:30 AM EST

When Roger Clemens was named in the Mitchell Report, almost everyone assumed that he was guilty. And although he continues to come out and deny it, the media will still think he is guilty. The first effect came today when the President of the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association said he is rethinking allowing Clemens to come and talk about his workout plan. What will happen next? If he does not come out and say he used it briefly or file a lawsuit will people start dropping him as a sponsor? Will he be inducted into the Hall of Fame? It is scary to think that the best pitcher of nearly two decades is now being accused of using performance enhancing drugs.

With the Mitchell Report coming out and Roger Clemens not doing much to deny it or embrace that he made a mistake, it makes it more likely that pitchers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Curt Schilling, and even Mike Mussina will get a look for the Hall of Fame before Clemens does. Personally, the way I thought of Roger Clemens has changed. I once thought of this elite pitcher, who was a modern day Nolan Ryan, someone I never saw pitch. But now, I still look at him as a great pitcher, but as someone who doesn't has as much respect for the game as someone like Nolan Ryan did. I don't know, maybe that is too harsh. In the court, it is innocent until proven guilty. But in the baseball word, I've gotten the impression that it is guilty till proven innocent. I think baseball fans will treat him the same way they now treat Mark McGuire and Barry Bonds.

Let me know how your thoughts have changed on Roger Clemens.

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Comments

If Clemens doesn't come clean like his friend Andy Petite he will lose a lot of credibility.
UD

by Anonymous on Dec 18, 2007 1:04 AM EST reply actions

I don't think him personally has come out and denied it yet. Personally that's a big sticking point for me, having your lawyer speak for you on something as big as this. I agree to have your lawyer speak at first, but he's had time now to make a short statement at least.

Second, I'm not 100% sure on how the Hall of Fame process works, but I do know because Clemens may not go in, that has pretty much no factor at all for any other player making it. I'm pretty sure that someone doesn't have to be inducted.

Besides that, the names you listed, at least a few are automatics for the hall of fame....I don't know any of his career stats, but I do know if you glance at Maddux's stats for a second, he'd get one of your votes if you had one.

by Anonymous on Dec 18, 2007 1:24 AM EST reply actions

"Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Curt Schilling, and even Mike Mussina will get a second look for the Hall of Fame. "

I almost spit my food across my monitor when I read that. Greg Maddux needs a "second look" to get into the hall of fame? Really? Maddux does? Tom Glavine does? They have over 300 wins a piece. I have to break it to you, but everyone on that list except for possibly Moose was an easy shoe-in for the hall of fame, 1st ballot --- no "second look" required.

by Anonymous on Dec 18, 2007 1:42 AM EST reply actions

On what planet do you think it's reasonable to suggest that 300 game winners Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine require a "second look" in order to get into the hall of fame?

"pitchers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Curt Schilling, and even Mike Mussina will get a second look for the Hall of Fame"

I mean, are you serious? Everyone on that list except for the Moose is an easy shoe-in for the hall of fame ... and even the Moose might be worthy.

by Anonymous on Dec 18, 2007 4:25 AM EST reply actions

sorry, i didnt clarify...i meant before clemens.

by Eli on Dec 18, 2007 8:17 AM EST reply actions

That still really doesn't make sense...They're not all going to be on the same ballot. The only people looked at are those on that specific ballot.

by Anonymous on Dec 18, 2007 11:17 AM EST reply actions

Assuming the Mitchell Report is accurate, which is becoming an increasing possibility, Roger Clemens was a very good pitcher but not Hall of Fame caliber. As a fan who watched Roger his entire career he had a well deserved reputation as a choker in big game situations - Dave Stewart was his nemesis. Does anyone else remember his eye-black, smoking finger playoff game? By 1993 he was done, a .500 pitcher. Sure he had 7 remarkable years but the Hall of Fame has higher standards unless you're Sandy Koufax, and Roger was never Sandy Koufax.

by Anonymous on Dec 18, 2007 12:18 PM EST reply actions

I was lucky enough to see Clemens pitch against Nolan Ryan in the late '80s in Arlington, Texas. The stadium was packed, Rocket got hammered, and the Express got the win in a great game. One of my best baseball memories, but it is saddening to see Clemens brought down in such a way.

And in my opinion there is no question that Bonds and Clemens should both go into the Hall of Fame. I would understand the voters protesting by not putting them in on the first ballot, but in the absence of a full accounting of EVERY SINGLE player who juiced in the last decade-and-a-half then I don't see how we can single out the two greatest players of their generation. Seems foolish to me.

by Anonymous on Dec 18, 2007 7:59 PM EST reply actions