Unlesss you run your life like a CIA black-op, it's hard to keep secrets these days.
ESPN reported on its web site Sunday that Brian McNamee met with one of Roger Clemens' representatives in 2004 to discuss the implications of Major League Baseball instituting steroids testing for the first time. According to McNamee's attorney Earl Ward, McNamee met with Jim Murray for coffee not far from Clemens' apartment, where the former New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays trainer said he injected the 45-year-old Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone. The report indicates that Murray works for Clemens' agents Randy and Alan Hendricks.
I find this very believable. If I were in McNamee's position, I would certainly want to inform my client of potential problems with drugs in his system and upcoming testing. The fact that McNamee invoked Murray's name in the taped phone conversation aired by Clemens' advisors on January 7th further bolsters his claims.
Look, I'm no fan of either Clemens or Barry Bonds, and I think they both used PEDs. Yet Bud Selig, Donald Fehr, and MLB ownership clearly enabled and fostered a culture of cheating, and nothing of any consequence is happening to them. Players, "protected" by their union, are being dragged through the mud by the Mitchell Report. A few may face more serious charges that could land them in prison. 90 players, give or take, have been adversely affected by the Mitchell Report while not a single baseball executive is being held accountable for their role with PEDs.
In the meantime, Selig gets a contract extension.
If I were a player, this would strike me as a bit unfair. How long do you suppose they'll put up with this? Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros wants blood testing now. The rest of the players had better get a clue and demand immediate, meaningful change. The present system is not serving them well, while the rest of MLB seems to be enjoying themselves. Otherwise, it will be more of the same: management will continue to skate, and players will bear the brunt of the fallout from future investigations, as they did in 2005 and are doing now.
