Uh Oh! Roger's Son is Arrested

According to reports by the Associated Press and a news article posted on sfgate.com, Roger Clemens' son, Koby Clemens, and two other minor leaguers were arrested "after police were called to the parking lot of a restaurant. Clemens and Ori were charged with disorderly conduct. Goethals was charged with assault and battery."

The three minor leaguers play for the Salem Avalanche, the Single A affiliate of the Houston Astros, their last game of the season being Monday (9/1/2008) night.

The three were jailed, albeit for a brief time.

Roger Singing the Blues?

In the latest whirlwind in the search for Danny Lin's real father....wait...check that....the Clemens/McNamee steroid/hgh/tattle-tale/he-said-he-said courtroom drama, lawyers for the ex-Clemen trainer said " 'all is fair game,' lawyers [...] say they intend to capitalize on allegations of an extra-marital affair involving Clemens and a country music singer in defending a defamation suit Clemens filed against McNamee." (quote from ESPN.com News Services).

That country music singer is none other than the famous, great, talented, Mindy McCready.

Who?

Get ready to take an Advil after you glance over this information, as listed in an article found on ESPN.com:

The New York Daily News, citing "several" unnamed sources, reported on its Web site Sunday night that Clemens and country singer Mindy McCready had a decade-long affair. Clemens' lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said Clemens and McCready had a friendship and nothing more.

"If true, it's just another example of Roger's pervasive prevarications which will be at the core of any defamation case," said McNamee's attorney, Richard Emery, in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

"He flatly denies having had any kind of an inappropriate relationship with her," Hardin said, according to the Daily News. "He's considered her a close family friend ... He has never had a sexual relationship with her."

"The issue in Roger's suit against McNamee is Roger's reputation and how it has been damaged," Emery said, according to the Daily News. "If it's proved that he's a philanderer, his reputation is already damaged. When you sue for defamation, you put your whole reputation in the community at issue. Anything is fair game, including his claim of sanctimonious purity. We would cross-examine him and other witnesses who might impact on his alleged behavior. We would probably subpoena her and witnesses who knew [of the relationship]. He's a 'family man' -- he implies that. It's about what his damages are. All is fair game."

McCready's lawyer, Lee Ofman, said he did not have any comment on the Daily News story, according to the Associated Press.

Since Clemens is filing a defamation suit against his former trainer, many believe that this might be the first of many skeletons that'll fall out of Clemens' back closet. McNamee's lawyers have a point; if you're going to sue our client for allegedly ruining your reputation, we should take a quick peak to see exactly what your reputation entails.

In other thoughts, who exactly is this Mindy McCready? Thanks to some hard hitting reporting over at Fox News, we quickly learned that McCready has had some legal issues of her own in the past. Here's an excerpt from a Fox News Article, dated July 26, 2007:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mindy McCready was in jail Thursday, accused of violating probation on a 2004 drug charge after a scuffle with her mother and authorities in Florida.

The 31-year-old country singer was taken into custody Wednesday at Nashville International Airport and booked into the Williamson County jail just south of Nashville.

She was arrested last week in Fort Myers, Fla., her hometown, on misdemeanor charges that she scratched her mother on the face during a scuffle and resisted sheriff's deputies.

Good Luck Roger!

ESPN Reports: McNamme Faints, Hits Bus

ESPN.com is reporting that Brian McNamme, Roger Clemens' famed ex-trainer, fainted while driving and crashed his car head on into a city bus:

McNamee told police he blacked out because of an ongoing medical problem, the New York Daily
McNamee's Lexus, another car and the bus were involved in the crash around 12:30 p.m. Thursday on Central Avenue in Queens' Far Rockaway neighborhood, according to the newspapers.
No one was seriously hurt, according to the newspapers.
No one was charged with any offense in the wreck, the Post said. No information was immediately available from police early Friday. News and New York Post reported Friday.

Time to Talk Turkey

Congressional hearings on an issue that has plagued America for almost two decades. Congressional hearings shedding light on faulty systems in place. Congressional hearings where finger pointing and the blame game have done nothing other than prove what a corrupt system can do to an institution. Millions of American tax payers' money being spent, yet there is still no solution, no plan, no end in sight.

For those of you thinking this is an article about the shortcomings of Iraq, health care reform, the burden placed on social security, or the head "scratchingly" absurd approval of multiple oil companies being allowed to merge, please stop reading right now.

We're talking about Congress taking its time to determine whether or not Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, or Miguel Tejada have taken steroids, or, "gasp" weren't telling the truth.

Shame on the Government for making a "Dog and Pony" show out of baseball's current steroid problem. Shame on the Committee who drag baseball legends before television cameras, berate them in front of their countrymen, and then when ESPN and CNN leave, ask them to sign a baseball for their son. Evidence of said behavior,

Near the end of the more than four-hour hearing, Rep. Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat, told Clemens: "You are one of my heroes. But it's hard to believe you."

We understand there is a problem with PEDs and Steroids in baseball. Congress will waive the anti-monopoly act in front of Selig's face to get him and his players to talk.

We ask, is this the same anti-monopoly act that failed to make an appearance when Exxon and Mobile merge? Where is the Congressional Outcry for hearings and cameras?

Where are the Congressional Debates on the Iraq War? Why does Congress insist on spending so much time on America's Pastime, while America's Boys (and Girls) are fighting a confusing and almost un-winnable war?

Let's be honest, guys like Buster Olney and Peter Gammons have every right to attack and prod and poke and point. It is their job.

Guys like Indiana Congressman Rep. Dan Burton have NO BUSINESS weighing in on this subject. This is a political tactic designed to garner votes from his constituents and brand himself as an anti-drug agent. During the Clemens hearings Burton has this to say to Clemens:

"You lie when it's just convenient for you. I don't know what to believe. I know one thing I don't believe, and that's you."

Hard hitting, poignant, controversial. Completely useless. A complete waste of time and a waste of taxpayer money.

While we understand that the Steroid Controversy has effected fans, ballplayers, owners, sponsors, and television networks, the Steroid Era should not be handled in this fashion. No amount of Congressional Hearings or finger pointing will correct what has happened in the past. It's time to let go and focus on more pressing issues, namely the Iraq War.

Baseball is a game. War is not. It is shameful that our government has spent more time handing out subpoenas than it has spent handing out armor for our troops. Shameful that Roger Clemens is getting more press time than the wounded soldiers who return home, depressed and out of touch with society.

Focus on the real issues. Baseball is just a game.

Valentine's Day on the Diamond

Since the majority of pitchers and catchers have been or will be reporting to their spring training camps, we figured that, lost in all the hub-bub of moving and packing, baseball players might have forgotten to send their sweetie a Valentine's Day poem.

No need to fret, we've got it covered.

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Sorry honey, I took HGH
and steroids, too.

Baseballs are white,
and our turf is quite green,
Johan is gone,
and all hope, so it seems.

Stitches are red,
Roger Clemens is sad,
His best friend says K-man lied,
and that makes him mad.

We got a new name,
and some cool new digs,
but five bucks says,
you can't name a single player on our team
who plays in the Bigs.

Tulips are yellow,
and Violets are purple,
here's to hoping that my first plate appearance
makes me look not like Steve Urkel.

Lilacs are purple,
and their stems are shinny green,
how many times do I have to tell you?
I swear that I'm clean!

Huge Upgrade in Philly

Reports indicate that Philadelphia is getting an offensive and defensive upgrade at one of their hot corners. ESPN reported last night that former San Fransisco Giant Third Sacker Pedro Feliz signed a two year deal with a team option for a third.
Feliz is a huge upgrade over the myriad of jerseys that attempted to fill that position for the Phillies last season. Abraham Nunez, Greg Dobbs, and Wes Helms all spent time on the hot corner, but yielded next to nothing compared to other team's third basemen throughout the league.
Feliz is expected to bat lower in the lineup, in attempts to add a power bat and run producer to spark that end of the lineup.

Despite previously published reports, the Orioles are denying any trade rumors surrounding Erik Bedard.

Koby Clemens says that not watching tv is the best way to avoid seeing his Dad on television.

He's in, he's out, he's in, he's out... Yankee standout Joba Chamberlain may start the season coming out of the bullpen.

Tiger's Brandon Inge adds Super-Utility Man to his resume. Movie deal with Marvel is in the works.

Mitchell Report Fallout Continues

Major League Teams will continue to take measures in attempts to curb steroid and Performance Enhancing Drug use, per the suggestions laid out by the Mitchell Report.

Background checks on clubhouse employees, easier and unannounced access for drug testing agents (previously, teams were notified prior to the agents arrival), logging info for all packages received by clubhouses, and permanent credentials for sample collectors are just a few of the changes implemented by the head honchos in MLB Offices.

Drama continues to grow in the Clemens/McNamee fued, in a he said/he said press war. Latest move: Clemens tape records a conversation he has with his lawyer and ex-trainer McNamee.

Touche Mr. Clemens, its your move Mr. McNamee, choose wisely!

Baseball Wrap Up: 1/7/07

Fallout from Roger Clemens' appearance on 60 Minutes continues, as Clemens files a defimation suit against his former trainer.

ESPN writer Buster Olney writes that no matter what, Clemens' name was in the Mitchell Report.

Clemens continues to maintain that the only things injected into this rocket, were lidocaine and B-12.

In other steroid news, former Sports Illustrated editor Don Yaeger takes a pass on co-authoring Jose Canseco's next tell all book. (Just a thought, can it still be considered a tell all? Wasn't his first book a tell-all? Shouldn't this be called a "Whoops, I forgot to mention a few things-all?)

Oakland's guys are wondering when their time in yellow and green is up.

Barry M. Bloom, MLB.com writer tries to figure out an ex-Yankee's chances of making the Hall of Fame.

Wondering what the Red Sox Nation is thinking of Roger Clemens?

Check out Mike Lupica's article on Clemens and prision life.

Oh yeah, and in cased you missed it, Andy Phillips signed with the Reds.

Roger Clemens on "60 Minutes"

Clemens is on 60 Minutes, get the hot dogs and sunflower seeds. Here goes a 108 Red Stitches train of thought. Time is in (New York) East Coast Time.
Earlier in the day, a report came out that Clemens and his former trainer had an "emotional" phone call.

Chargers game is running late, "60 Minutes" not starting on time.

7:44 - Clemens asks for an "inch of respect" in a 30 second promo before the show starts. Mike Wallace asks Clemens about taking a lie detector test, editing makes Clemens look guilty.

7:58- CBS Money Watch, sponsored by Flomax. Take my first bathroom break.

8:02- Story on the Executioner. Dude used to work in Boston, K'd a lot of people. Wait, never mind, not the Clemens story.

8:15- End of Executioner Story. Unbelievably honest. Last honest interview of the night? We'll see.

8:18- Teaser for Clemens/Wallace interview.

8:19- GAME TIME!

8:20- I'm angry that what I've done for the game of baseball....that I didn't get the benefit of the doubt. It's hogwash...How can you prove your innocence?

8:21- Hardest working man in throw business. Cute.

8:22 -Wallace quotes Mitchell report. Clemens denies everything.

8:23- Why would Brian McNamee want to betray you?

8:24- Clemens says "I should be pulling tractors with my teeth."

8:25- Clemens: I was shocked, I was angry, a lot of emotions.

8:26- Clemens: I think he's been buting and moving steroids. Uh-oh...sounds like a lawsuit could be in the works...

8:27- Clemens: I had no knowledge in what Andy (Pettite) was doing.

8:28- Lynocane and B12- Clemens admits to having McNamee inject him with something.

8:29- Clemens worried about amount of Vioxx pills given to him.

8:30- Wallace is pushing buttons. I would have punched his wrinkly ass by now.

8:31- Clemens: I don't know if I can defend myself, a lot of people have already made up their mind. Will talk to Congress, especially about Vioxx.

8:32- Clemens agrees (sort of) to a lie detector test. Challenges whether or not lie detector tests actually work.

8:33- The higher you get up on a flagpole, the more your butt shoes. Clemens, retiring, wait...probably retiring.

Whew! Interview over.

Free Agent "No-Mo"

Hideo Nomo signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals, becoming the second Japanese pitcher to ink up with former Japanese Nippon Ham Fighters' manager Trey Hillman. Yasuhiko Yabuta signed earlier in the offseason. GM Dayton Moore also denied reports that the Royals were close to signing free agent starter Bartolo Colon.

In other baseball news, the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a contract with former Padre/Marlin/Cub/Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement. It's a one year deal worth about $1.5 million. Smart move by the Cardinals, who follow the Padres lead (signed Mark Prior to a one year deal) by putting a smart contract in place, in hopes of a potentially huge return on investment.

Florida signed another potential replacement for Miguel Cabrera in former Devil Ray Jorge Cantu. It's the second signing for the Marlins (Jose Castillo was the first) who are looking to try to have a few different looks at the hot corner. Replacing Cabrera won't be easy, but if Cantu and Castillo homer every other at-bat, the Marlins should be fine.

Meanwhile, back in New York, the biggest free agent news for the Bombers is one they didn't sign at all, rather, one that they won't sign. The Yankees (err, Hank Steinbrenner) announced that they (err, Hank Steinbrenner) are not interested in bringing back the 45 year old ex-fireballer.

All's Quiet on the Diamond Front

Slow week so far in the wonderful world of baseball. After a stormy December that launched the Mitchell Report and a lackluster winter meeting, the New Year rings in with a big yawn.
Sure there's allegations of rampant steroid use in the Seattle clubhouse, but it's more of a cry for attention by a no-name, talentless, woah-is-me has been that never did anything with the time allotted to him.

Baseball Around the Country:

Clemens gets his chance to clear his name during an interview with 60 Minutes' Mike Wallace,
while New York Times writer, Murray Chass, talks strategy with Clemens' lawyer.

Scott Oslter of the San Fransisco Chronicle consults a psychic in an attempt to get a jump on 2008's top sports stories.

Clark Spencer writes about Florida's life after Miguel Cabrera.

Todd Wills of the Dallas Morning News spends some time with a fresh face from the Ranger farm system.

Mitchell Report

I've been hearing a lot of grumblings lately, of people just looking for a simple list of the names on the Mitchell Report. ESPN has somewhat of a preliminary list, but it's missing some names (Mark McGwire, for instance). Here's a list courtesy of BaseballReference.com that lists, in alphabetical order, those named in the report:
And if you're interested in reading the entire report, enjoy.

Manny Alexander
Chad Allen
Rick Ankiel
David Bell
Mike Bell
Marvin Benard
Gary Bennett
Larry Bigbie
Barry Bonds
Ricky Bones
Kevin Brown
Paul Byrd
Alex Cabrera
Ken Caminiti
Jose Canseco
Mark Carreon
Jason Christiansen
Howie Clark
Roger Clemens
Paxton Crawford
Jack Cust
Brendan Donnelly
Chris Donnels
Lenny Dykstra
Bobby Estalella
Matt Franco
Ryan Franklin
Eric Gagne
Jason Giambi
Jeremy Giambi
Jay Gibbons
Troy Glaus
Juan Gonzalez
Jason Grimsley
Jose Guillen
Jerry Hairston
Matt Herges
Phil Hiatt
Glenallen Hill
Darren Holmes
Todd Hundley
Ryan Jorgensen
Mike Judd
David Justice
Chuck Knoblauch
Tim Laker
Mike Lansing
Paul Lo Duca
Nook Logan
Josias Manzanillo
Gary Matthews
Mark McGwire
Cody McKay
Kent Mercker
Bart Miadich
Hal Morris
Dan Naulty
Denny Neagle
Rafael Palmeiro
Jim Parque
Andy Pettitte
Adam Piatt
Todd Pratt
Stephen Randolph
Adam Riggs
Armando Rios
Brian Roberts
John Rocker
F.P. Santangelo
Benito Santiago
Scott Schoeneweis
David Segui
Gary Sheffield
Mike Stanton
Ricky Stone
Miguel Tejada
Derrick Turnbow
Ismael Valdes
Mo Vaughn
Randy Velarde
Ron Villone
Fernando Vina
Rondell White
Matt Williams
Todd Williams
Steve Woodard
Kevin Young
Gregg Zaun

All-Steroid Team

Usually, we might have titled this the season ending all-star team, a collection of the best athletes the majors had to offer this past season.
Not this year!
Here's a ster-studded cast of individuals that make up the 2007 All-Steroid Team, with their best season stats listed next to their names:

C Benito Santiago (1996; 30HR, 85 RBI, .264 BA)
1B Jason Giambi (2000; 43, 137, .333)
2B Brian Roberts (2005; 18, 73, .314)
SS Miguel Tejada (2004; 34, 150, .311)
3B Ken Caminiti (1996; 40, 130, .326)
OF Barry Bonds (2001; 73, 137, .328)
OF Gary Sheffield (1996; 42, 120, .314)
OF David Justice (93&00 - almost identical 40/41, 120/118, .270/.286)
DH Mo Vaughn (1996; 44, 143, .326)

SP Roger Clemens (1997; 21-7, 292 KO, 2.05 ERA)
CL Eric Gagne (2003; 55 SVs, 1.20 ERA)

Here's an interesting statistic too; almost every one of those players had their best season after either setting career lows the year before, or had injuries that severly hampered their production.
For example, lets take a look at Sheffield:
In 1995 Sheffield only plays in 63 games, hits 16 home runs and drives in 46 RBIs. Next season, he almost triples his stats from the year before. Sheffield doesn't reach those numbers again for another five seasons.
Need more proof? Clemens:
1996 he posts a 10-13 record, 3.63 era, and walks 106 batters. Clemens begins to hear those whisphers, and he signs with the Blue Jays the next season. Response? Twenty one wins, shaves a whole point off his era, and wins the Cy Young award.
Still not enough? Case #3, my favorite whipping boy; Barry Bonds:
Not even on the Nation's radar during the Big Mac/Sammy Sosa assault on Roger Maris' record in 1999, Bonds' home run totals begin to climb, rapidly; 34-49-73....during a career point that should have been focusing on hanging on for one more year....