Innocent until proven guilty?
Dec 20th, 2007 by Curt Schilling
Ok I get that. We all get that and anyone that actually read the post will understand that I was not saying Roger used, I’ve never said that. My comment was that as a fan, as someone that he made a major impact on, given the circumstances surrounding his personal trainer and the testimony he gave. I want him to find a way to make me believe he didn’t use. He doesn’t have to, he could care less what I think. As I stated when I posted the piece, it was my opinion and mine only.
I can only go on the information at hand, and the article below is written by someone I vaguely know but who obviously knows the ‘rat’ so many people have no trouble calling out. How is his integrity and credibility any more or less relevant than anyone else’s involved here?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/15/AR2007121501111.html
This guy randomly threw two of the games best pitchers under the bus with no credibility? I am not giving more or less credibility to either side of this situation but as of today we have a guy who has a former player defending his credibility and integrity, and a current player admitting to the very thing this man testified to. The last part of this is the third person refuting any and all allegations.
In the court of public opinion our country is the exact opposite of innocent until proven guilty. That doesn’t make it right, but it does make it what it is. I am trying as hard as I can to rationalize the situation but I am wrestling with what I’ve heard, seen, and think with the reality of what’s out there.
What was your first thought when you saw OJ driving his Bronco down the freeway in a high speed chase?
You are right, it’s not on me to pass judgment, which I wasn’t, I was offering my opinion. This is my blog, I can do that. Please delete the link and stop searching for the site if you don’t care or hate me, it’s really that easy.
I stated it in the post, and some of you dopes still want to use that as a reason for the post itself. I am not even one ounce jealous of what Roger Clemens has achieved. Through this past week I’ve always been in awe of it. There isn’t a Clemens argument that’s been had in my presence that I was not 100% on his side of the table. Are you dumb enough or lacking other options to argue that you’d use that as a reason? I’ve been the 2nd man on the totem pole behind 3 of the best pitchers of my generation. Randy, Pedro and Josh.
I’m ok with that. I had my chance and my time. Those guys were, and are, better than me. That doesn’t pain me in any way to say, because it’s true. If you can’t get that I feel sorry for ya.
I am not preaching from a pulpit, I am talking from a vantage point of a player who understands the relationships that exist in this game between personal trainers and players, clubhouse guys and others. I am speaking from a vantage point of a player who has never in his life ingested HGH or steroids to enhance performance. I don’t cringe to admit to something that’s true and I have not done.
Anyone that’s looked at any of my past posts knows that I also have no issues admitting to being wrong or screwing up, it happens.
My post was my reaction to the Mitchell Report and my desire as a lifelong fan and pupil of Roger Clemens to have him clear his name. You can argue the innocent until proven guilty angle all day long, and legally you would be right, but like just about every single one of you I make opinions and judgments on people without seeing a court decision handed down.
Does Roger have to clear his name? Hell no he doesn’t. If he doesn’t care about the statements in the report and how they reflect on him then I don’t need to be the one to tell you he can do what he wants.
I want him to clear his name because I want to believe that everything he’s done has been because of the legendary work ethic and otherworldly skills he’s always possessed. I want him to clear his name because I selfishly want to be able to say the greatest pitcher of all time had a major influence on me on and off the field. His using PEDs, if it turns out to be the truth, will change my opinion of what he’s done and how he’s done it.
As far as taking back awards, I look at that in a simple fashion. We either move on, totally, and say that every number put up through the 2007 should be respected and held as a completely true reflection of the game, or you can piece meal who and what you think did what, when, and try and assess which are and are not real numbers. Or, you could say that any player caught cheating or admitting to it should have any statistics erased, any awards won rescinded from that period forward unless they can prove they were not using PED’s after they were caught. Their numbers would just go away. Would it create some weirdness? Sure it would. But going forward you would offer up that any player caught would be subject to mandatory testing from blood to urine if they wanted to have their achievements logged as real and be eligible for the hall of fame.
Take away all personal awards won by players caught cheating or that have admitted to use, one time. Re-gift all the personal awards (such as Canseco’s 88 MVP) to the runners up, and be done with it. Going forward you test as best as you possibly can within the confines of the CBA with players understanding a failure means not being eligible for awards or hall of fame consideration unless they can prove they are clean every month for the rest of their careers.
At the end of the day are you truly concerned you might offend someone that cheated?
I agree with you Curt and I’ve always been a Red Sox nut for well over 50 years. My only comment is that maybe you should have waited to say anything abut the Clemens drug thing.
God Bless you abnd yours and get in shape for next season -
You cheat, you should pay the consequences, bottom line. I too hope that Roger can clear his name but for some reason I don’t see it happening. It has to be difficult to prove something wrong from the past, its a he says she says type of deal. It will take a lot to clear such allegations but if he can do it, more power to him. If he did in fact cheat, he should man up and admit to his wrong doings.
Curt,
Your a great pitcher with quite an ego. I’m not trying to be critical or anything but maybe some of our baseball greats just need to approach the whole mitchell report with a grain assault. You always seem to have something to say, even if it has nothing to do with you. I am a huge fan and would be an even bigger fan if you just kept your mouth shut. No offense but it’s really given you a reputation of being very ignorant. I know how you feel but just please shut up!
NO DOUBT C SCHILLING IS NOTHING BUT JEALOUS OF ROGER CLEMENS.
HE COULD NEVER BE HALF THE PITHCHER/PLAYER THAT ROGER CLEMENS IS, WITH OR WITHOUT CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES!!!!!!! WHEN WILL HE EVER WIN A CY YOUNG AWARD? NEVER — BECAUSE HE IS THE MOST OVERRATED PITCHER IN THE MLB. GIVE IT UP C SCHILLING, RETIRE AND GO HOME WITH YOUR BUDDY GEORGE W, YOU’LL BE IN GOOD COMPANY SINCE YOU BOTH PUBLICLY SPEAK LIKE 5TH GRADERS.
To me Curt and John Smoltz are prime examples of hard throwers who have that natural gift of being able to pitch into their later years…the players who enhanced their game by compromising their health and by breaking laws should be taken from the books…
I believe asking Roger to come clean about these allegations and prove that he is not a liar, cheat, and criminal is completely appropriate. Especially if you care an ounce about the guy.
I’m a longtime Phils fan. Always admired Curt. However, his actions at the 03/05 Congressional Hearing were really bad. Treated Canseco as a liar while sitting next to 3 players who were cheaters. Said he didn’t know or hear about any players taking/using performance enhancing drugs. This is ridiculous. Was he asleep? I thought he was a hypocrite then and he really owes Canseco a deep apology. If it wasn’t for him (and his book) this whole sordid mess might never had come to light. Shame Curt!
Hey Curt, just wanted to pint out that you weren’t, and are no longer #2 on the totem pole last season. I’d put you #3 at best. Now go eat some pizza and think of what garbage you can dream up next to attract attention to your fading star. Maybe another bloody sock??
I was truely impressed. I am a devoted twins fan from Minnesota. (although not happy with them currently) But you, Kruck, Dykstra, that’s what got me into baseball. Alas, I quit at age 30, (2 years ago) softball and coaching jr high ball is my involvement.
I thought this would be nothing more than a rant on your part, but to my surprise (and delight) this was excellent.
I am in the camp that our media villifies people way to soon, innocient until PROVEN guilty, not assumed guilty, but you had a lot of maerial to back up your opinion. I can honestly say I AGREE with you.
This was well thought out, full of material to back up your opinion, and written by someone who has first hand knowledge.
You cemented you spot as my all-time favorite pitcher!! (#2 is Frankie Viola, not a shock from a twins fan who grew up in the 80’s and 90’s.)
Thank you for your contribution to the greatest sport I ever played!
SAMSON
I used to think that Roger Clemens was a class act. No longer. why? Simple; he had to get his attorney (and no doubt a PR mouthpiece) to approve his statement before he issued that statement THREE DAYS after Clemens was named.
Amazing.
Did you use steroids? *^%# No! You jacka%% motherf&*_@*#.
That’s how you respond IF YOU ARE INNONCENT.
Hey Roger, you should take a look at the clip of Jim Everett on Jim Rome’s show. This is how you respond: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57W05-oopNA . You don’t wait till you get approval from your Mommy.
90’s ball players = juiced cheaters. Period.
What a pompous, self-centered jerk you are. If the Mitchell Report is 10% accurate, PED’s were prevelent in MLB for years. Funny how you never got outraged until Mitchell put the spotlight on the issue. I can’t find any stories about you putting the finger on anyone. Do you suppose that maybe YOU benefitted from your teammates’ illegal usage even IF you’re clean? Maybe some teammates used PED’s and helped your teams win a few games? That would equate to $$$ to you, would it not? I’m certain that what was injected into your ankle before those WS games wasn’t B-12. Didn’t THAT help YOU get back on the field and help your team? I used to be a big fan of yours. Listening to you talk a great game while having DONE nothing over the years about this problem makes you look pretty bad….Curt. Your credibility is zero. Give us some names that aren’t in the report if you’re serious about combatting this issue.
So, let me understand this…
If someone accused you of using performance enhancing drugs, you would consider it your responsibility to your fans and the league to clear your name.
The report has no definitive proof of Mr. Clemens’ use, just an allegation (testimony) from someone who CLAIMS that he knows that he did.
I’d be interested to hear what you would do in Mr. Clemens’ situation, and more importantly exactly HOW you think you could clear yourself of such allegations.
Easy to take the “high road” when you’re not the one in the spotlight.
By the way, how do we KNOW that you (or anyone) never took such substances? How would one prove that, sir.
Well I, for one, like to see a professional athlete who is intelligent, articulate, and opinionated. Besides, you gave me a 2004 World Championship…
You’re absolutely right, Curt. Clemens has the financial resources to clear his name if he is, indeed, innocent. There’s nothing standing in the way of that, and he needs to do it if he wants to change the minds of the 75 percent of sports fans who voted on espn.com yesterday that they don’t believe him. I wish the allegations weren’t true and I hope they’re not. But unless he takes the necessary steps to prove it, there are enough dots to connect to allow a reasonable person to think he’s guilty.
By asking Clemens to relinquish his Cy Youngs opens a whole can of worms. In principle, I agree with you. However, if you expect that, where does it end? We all know that there are many more players that have used performance enhancing drugs, that are not on the Mitchell report. Canseco and Caminiti both thought it was over 50%. So Curt, are you ready to relinquish your World Series rings if it is determined that players on those teams were using? Again, where would it end?
I think Bob Costas has it right. No asteriks, no banning from the Hall of Fame. Simply put a disclaimer in regarding the Steroid Era, and let the fans draw their own conclusions.
Curt, while we are at it, maybe we need to go back and take away wins from all the teams that beat Roger since 1997 and see how that effects the standings, and re-play any playoffs if necessary. Oh and lets recompute everyones average that either had hits or no hits off of him also, and lets not forget to take away all the HR’s from those that had them.
I’ll agree that no one should have to refute hearsay with more than a “he’s a liar and I didn’t do it”. But there are some serious alligations here. People read the blog before you comment, your ignorance just makes things worse!
SAMSON
You know what you lost your ability to comment on the Mitchell report when you decided in front of Congress that you had nothing to say. You had a whole lot to say about it before congress and than nothing right.
That is your life story isn’t it? You blab your mouth on the radio and on this blog, but not on TV or when you are live and in person. You are a coward. Before you pass judgement on someone else be a man yourself.
I mean Pettite took HGH through an injury… there wasn’t much of a difference in Clemens frame… he may have done the same thing… I mean as far as the rewards are concerned Baseball has so much controversy let alone this one it’s kind of hard to go that far back to a guy who is quite content with being retired and congradulating him on accomplishments 20 years ago… besides.. how do you not know that the runner up wasn’t taking steroids? I mean, wasn’t everybody doing it?
Hey Curt, the cadaver that you used for your ankle came from a Steriod user!! haha cuckoo!!
Well done.
calio4life wrote…
“just need to approach the whole mitchell report with a grain assault.”
That’s officially my favorite new expression.
From now on, I’m going to take everything with a grain assault.
HA..calio4life…before you call someone ignorant, you need to improve your cliche usage. Its GRAIN of SALT, not assualt, kiddo. Curt’s right, clear your name, or accept your view of guilt in the public realm. Very simple.
If Clemens was an innocent man, he would have held a news conference immidiately after the Mitchell Report to claim his innocence. Unfortunately for him, he can’t do that because the loser is guilty of using some type of performance enhancer and he knows it. His records are tarnished for life now.
TB
Curt:
Who made you judge and jury of everyone. You did the same thing with Barry Bonds and although I am not a fan of his, again, who deemed you the “voice” of baseball. Here is a hint, why don’t you continue working on your game, get rid of the pregnant looking beer gut you have and shut your face. You are just another ego that needs to be deflated-like your fat gut.
Google: “drudge report mccain” for info about an interesting article that is to be published soon by the New York Times on Senator Mccain…
You know Curt, those stats of yours sure started to get a lot better around 1998. Just a curious fact, but if you name was in the mitchell report, people would say the same thing about you. Good luck defending hearsay.
Wow, as a lifetime (3
Sox fan I can tell you that my friends and I truly idolized Roger Clemens back in the 80’s and were heartbroken when he left for Toronto. I can remember playing the old Nintendo baseball game of the 86″ Sox team and how Roger was virtually unhittable in that game. Despite all that love I had for the guy if he did cheat than I agree wholeheartedly that it ’s time to return the Cy Youngs he won during that time. I cannot for the life of me think that George Mitchell would risk so much by putting Roger in the report if he wasn’t completely convinced of his guilt. I have to say though that by looking back at how Clemen’s body had changed since joining New York it does defy expanation. I would love to think he’s innocent Curt but I sadly think all the talk he did a few days ago were just him feeling trapped in a corner. I’m afraid we will never get to the bottom of it in his case and thus he will keep his awards and records but I will never think of him the same way again. Dave B.
Mr. Schilling:
I have long followed your career and appreciate the honesty by which you have played the game. You calling out your fellow players for what they may have done is brave and 100% on target. For those who took the time to read the Mitchell Report, I believe the evidence to be strong. While the evidence against Clemens is the weakest in the report, if innocent, then why not prove it? Public figures have a more difficult life then others, and as the steroid era has cast a dark shadow on baseball, I believe one of the greatest pitchers ever should step forward and separate fact from fiction.
While I’m a die-hard White Sox fan, I’m not ignorant to think this problem is limited to those named in the report. I wrote an article on the Mitchell report and I’d be honored if you would read it. From one fan who wants to see the game clean to another.
I applaud you again. Thanks for making the most of your talent.
The Soxman
Curt, Thanks for taking the right stand. You cheat, you pay. You play a hard honest game and you get paid plenty. It’s nothing but a case of greed and stupidity. If the commisioner of baseball can’t see this thing through to start a “Drug Free” major league, then he should be replaced. There are way to many good young players that want to play baseball because they love the game. Every one of them would give their right arm to be given chance that all of these cheaters have gotten.
Please visit http://www.shermfeller.com. Help put the origional voice of Fenway Park in The Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Gary Titus
Curt, how do you prove that you didn’t do something. You have it backwards. How on earth can Clemens show you he did not do something? By not having track marks on his ars? By not being awesome? I mean, really, tell me how he can prove a negative?
I ask you, if one of your team mates ends up exposed are you going to give the World Series Trophy back? Do you really think The Red Sox are exempt from this issue? I understand Mr. Mitchell is on the B.O.D. of the Sox. Interesting that 20 plus “Yankees” (including many who played there for a portion of a season) are on the list but only anti sox ex sox like Mo Vaughn ended up on this list. What? No Nomar?
I think Mitchell has a conflict of interest here that somehow makes the Sox look innocent?
Wait til J.D. ends up on a list. He’s a Yankee now so maybe they’ll just say he’s another Yankee on the list. But if he’s on the list I want you to prove he didn’t do it or give your Rings back.
Curt, I was a college pitcher in the 70’s and know that the entire sport is full of instances where cheating in expected. With regard to the awards, would someone of your stature recommend that Gaylord Perry be removed from the Hall for his performance enhancing acts that are well proven? All one has to do is qualify the awards and let people decide for themselves.
Curt, I wanted to write you and thank you for finally speaking out on this ugly problem that baseball now has to deal with. I am a father of three boys. My oldest is a Junior in high school and plays baseball on his varsity team. He is also a PITCHER. I am a Christian as well as my wife and sons. I tell you this to give you some background. My sons plays baseball by the motto he writes in all of his baseball hats and that is “IN JESUS NAME I PLAY.” I am angry at the recent revelations in the Mitchell report. I am angry at the Commissioners office, the Players Association, and ALL players that were and are dirty. I watched the congressional hearings and listened to you be the advocate for baseball to police itself and clean up itself. WELL????? What now? Palmero did all of us fathers a Hugh injustice to say what he did before congress and then test positive. But ROGER has hurt me more than even Barry Bonds which I am upset with as well. Maybe its because my son pitches and looks to you and Roger as role models and would love to some day follow in your footsteps. I tell him that it can be done the clean and right way. He says “Dad, if it takes Roger to use to make it how can I ever dream of making it if I stay clean.” You, Roger, and all the others will never know to what extent you impact young players at the high school level. PLEASE!!!! keep the game clean. If not for my kids do it for the future generations. Lastly, BASEBALL now has to address this in a big way and do what ever is necessary to rid itself of this plague. Stop hiding your head in the sand and hoping that the fans will let this blow over. I WON’T. There is too much at stake. WE know personally of a college catcher in the minor leagues that was suspended for one year when he tested positive for steroids. I believe that ALL players found to be dirty need to be held accountable. Yes, I am a fan of many players, but this is bigger than being a fan. I am a big fan of Roger, but I believe discipline is necessary for him too. Paul Byrd should be disciplined and suspended. I am his fan too. Andy Petite as well, and any player that is dirty. I know I picked on pitchers, maybe its because my son is one too. PPPLLLEEEAAASSSEEE MLB clean up your mess for our kids, the future of the sport, and if not for that then do it …. FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME!!!!
Dear Curt-
How does it feel to know everything? Can you tell me what I am going to get for Christmas and how many kids I will have?
Happy Holidays and thanks for all the insight!
I have a hard time condemning someone based on hearsay. I know that two others have stepped up and stated that this trainer supplied them or injected them. But I am one person who would like to see blood or urine samples of the players that have been accused that have failed the test for banned substances.
I respect your opinion. When it comes to baseball or other matters you seem to do your home work on the subject. Steroids is a big issue in all sports. But some times you have to step back a listen and see who is doing this for the better good and who are talking just to hear themselves talk.
I do have a question for you on another subject relating to cheating. What are your views on Floyd Landis? Reason I am asking is, he supposedly tested positive for high testosterone levels after one stage of the Tour de France. Yet no one has been able to answer me what his test were prior to that stage and the one right after that stage. Maybe you are in the position to find out more details then we are.
When you are the top sometimes a different (albeit at times, unfair) set of rules applies. If I was Roger Clemens and someone slandered me in the press, I would defend it. And if someone questioned my pitching prowess by suggesting I took steroids, you bet I’d defend it.
What I find laughable about MLB is how out of hand the steroids issue has become. Take Track & Field for example and if you are caught ONE TIME (uh, Marion Jones), you can be banned for life, stripped of all medals and removed from the record books. And track athletes don’t have the millions at stake that baseball players do. In fact, most Americans think Track & Field only has relevance once every 4 years but don’t get me started on that topic.
MLB needs a shake-up, the players union needs to truly start acting in the best interest of the players health (remember Lyle Alzado?) and get firm on PEDs and the fans need to quit supporting guys who cheat.
Have you ever looked @ a Barry Bonds or Sammy Sosa rookie card and compare that to pictures of them in their mid-30s? Sorry folks, but bodies just don’t change that much at that age.
To Curt, it is your blog and you have your right to your opinion. I am for it and for for people debating the issue. The cage needs to get rattled so that all the cheaters can get identified, their records erased and each can receive a one-way ticket out of the league: forever.
Curt what makes you better than Roger ,As a pitcher you couldn’t be a pimple on rogers ass. how many strike out have you had, how many shutouts have you had. And bottom line as a pitcher you suck.
I’m just wondering what calio4life means by “a grain assault” and on a second note, I think CS has every right to voice his opinions and maybe he’s shaking Clemens down the way Clemens did him when he was younger. —-maybe “a grain of salt”?
Curt Shilling…
Your constant outspoken behavior is obnoxious and I for one can not stand it! Everyone in the major leagues has been experimenting and using performance enhancing drugs over the past 15 years. There is no doubt in my mind that you too have dabbled over the years. For you to call out Roger Clemens is absolute blasphemy. Despite his HGH use you were never half the pitcher Roger was and your name will never be mentioned in the same sentence as his. I can not stand your repeated ignorant comments about everything and anything. Since when did anyone ask you to analyze current political and social situations? Since when did you feel you were qualified to discuss serious matters? You are a right-wing, brain-dead idiot who probably composes the 18% of Americans who still approve the President.
I agree with Curt, why has there not been any fighting back from these players?? Makes you wonder, especially since we live is a society where people sue one another as easy as drinking a cup of java in the morning …
If I was innocent, and my career was being attacked, I would stand up for myself, not just roll over. And as a fan, I would want my hero’s to clear their names, not just walk away … To me, and my opinoin only, you owe it to the fans, but more importantly, the game and all the players that have played it “straight” … It may not be the easiest thing to do, but at least make an effort, and by effort I mean more then just a statement via your attorney.
That is my take, thanks Curt for not being a clone, and having a take, and not afraid to let it be known. We don’t have to agree with it, or even like it, but at least you had some courage to put it out there …
The Mitchell report is a disgrace. There was no need to name names…it was an obvious attempt to try players in the court of public opinion. Where are the canceled checks, empty syringes, witnesses in the Clemens case? How will he have his day in court? I’m not saying he didn’t do what he’s accused of doing, I’m saying it hasn’t been proven.
I noted, Curt, that you got pretty hot when it was “suggested” that the bloody sock was all a sham. You see how it works? Did anyone suggest you return your World Series ring? Seems that you could give a fellow player the benefit of the doubt.
Mr. Schilling,
You yourself are one of the greatest pitchers of what will become known as the “Steroid Era”. Definitely a dark age for the sport of baseball… Why are you so boisterous about singling out players accused of using performance enhancing drugs? The key word being accused. Do you mean to tell me that in the 2004 ALCS, you were able to pitch on your surgically repaired ankle without the use of a performance enhancing drug? Performance enhancing has a broad spectrum. If you took a legal prescribed cortisone shot or pain killer that will still be considered a performance enhancing drug, because it enhanced your performance. Are you sure that every player from that championship team was clean? David Ortiz was nowhere near as big, or as good a hitter when he was with the Twins.
Mr. Schilling do every one a favor and wait until everything pans out to start throwing stones… You and Roger Clemens, along with every other major leaguer share a bond not everyone get’s to experience. It’s easy to point the finger.
whats in the past is done, some did it and got away with it, some who didnt do it will get blamed and is that enough to strip, if it is it will just be a witch hunt. Stop looking behind you and focus on what in basballs future, live and learn.
Happy Holidays Curt!
How do I begin this? First off, I am a HUGE Red Sox fan and have been for most of my life. I truly appreciate all of your accomplishments and the various charities that you and Shonda have devoted yourself to. I have also learned that you are a passionate and caring individual and a true competitor, both on and off the field. I am somewhat disappointed in the way that you jump on issues, whether they may be about an opponent or the steroid issue, and later ‘modify’ your comments.
Now please understand this, I am in total agreement withyou that ‘cheaters’ should be punishe to the full extent of the ‘law’ and/or MLB’s rules and regs… Having said all that, I was once a HUGE Roger Clemens fan, but that respect waned, when he decided that he wanted to play closer-to-home, but took a detour to Toronto. Now I do appreciate that his hand was somewhat forced by the ‘former’ GM (can’t bring myself to utter his name) and I can accept that, but when he went to the enemy (Yankees), that was it for me and Roger…
Despite my feelings, as a Red Sox fan, for Roger, I STILL feel that he is due his ‘course’ and as someone clearly stated, “he is innocent until proven guilty”… I have my own feelings about whether he ‘juiced’ or not, all one has to do is to look at his photos (a-la Barry Bonds) and see that he’s no longer the ’spindly’ young man who used to pitch for the Sox… Again, having said all that, WHY do you always seem to put yourself in a position of contoversy??? Come on now, you’ve had a very successful and fulfilling career, you have a lovely wife and family, you have devoted your time to charity work, why not just go out with ‘class’ and wait until all of the facts are in, before you jump on the bandwagon of Roger bashers!
Happy Holidays,
Sonny913
Wow, C Schilling looks like you’ve set some people off. Thats what happens when people want to believe what they want to believe and won’t allow you to have a thought. It’s cool for these clowns to believe he didn’t, but you’re jealous and cruel because you do. And I haven’t read where you said you do, just that if you didn’t do it. Prove it, show me some life Roger, she me you’re the man we all thought you were. Stand up and be accounted for. It’s it strange that some players that don’t have anything to lose would stand and face the music. Even Barry Bonds had a reply. And calling C Schilling arrogant, and Roger isn’t. You people have blinders on. Roger Clemens is the most arrogant person I’ve ever seen. I have no need to hate either way, I’m an Astro fan, but love the game of baseball, basketball and football. When with what God gave ya! If you can’t, put the cleaks up and call it a career. Preach on C Schilling, preach on!
In order to have better linking, you should try using the following Curt.
a href=”http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/15/AR2007121501111.html”>C.J. Nitkowski Comments is what the link that you click on says.
Just put a at the ending a and it’ll work.
C.J. Nitkowski Comments
Let me first say that I was totally shocked to hear Clemens name mentioned. But then I thought, who was really mentioning it. Just some guy I had never heard of. Clemens on the other hand I have followed since the mid 80’s. In my own personal view, Clemens has never done anything to make me question his baseball integrity. So if he says he never done it, I believe him. Let me leave you with thie quote.
“Baseball is something more than a game to an american boy. It is his training field for life work. Destroy his faith in its squareness and honesty and you have destroyed something more, you have planted suspicion of all things in his heart.” - Kenesaw Mountain Landis.
Mr. Schilling,
First I want to thank you for even taking the time to respond. I also, found the words chosen by some here regarding you to be harsh, not that you can’t handle it, but never the less, I find most to be innapropriate. While, I still strongly disagree with you, regarding your “fan” angle. I a former die hard sox fan, have been turned off by the whole Sox Nation. Roger was the Sox while he pitched there, and I will not convict him of anything, unless a court of law does so. I also, don’t like all the conclusions being drawn by people. I also think all of you (professional ballplayers) should be backing your brothers, unless you think your in a position to throw stones. Remember, it could easily be you, you said it, you personally know and have played with some of these guys accused. So, do really know what you would do beyond making a statement denouncing the accusations ? I mean, really ? Who are we to decide how a person should react to anything ? Finally, as I stated, I have been a Clemens fan, for 24 years, and I know Roger is not a big fan of making anything public, good or bad. So, I think he has done enough to clear his name.
Thanks,
Dave
Curt, this is nothing more than something to think about. I play baseball, though not professional. I am a pitcher and an outfielder. I know how challenging the game of baseball is, and that you must have a mastery of multiple skills in order to compete at the professional level.
My thinking has always been that steroids increase muscle strength and resistance, but not absolute overall performance. You as a baseball player with years of superior talent can answer this question: “Can you take any WWE wrestler with no pitching experience, put him on the mound, and expect him to win two World Series rings and rack up 216 wins, 3116 strikeouts, a 3.46 lifetime ERA, and 83 career complete games?” I think not. You must have baseball talent, or else steroids and performance-enhacing substances will do nothing.
I urge you in the strongest possible terms to not criticize other great players for use of steroids. I believe that you are a role-model, and a good and decent man.
I’d be interested in hearing your earnest response to my reply here. Thank you.
Steve.
Curt,
For a man that professes to be involved in politics, the players union, and the court of public opinion, you sure change your colors quickly.
Innocent until proven guilty is part of the foundation that makes our judicial system and country great. That premise helps to protect the very innocent people that egoticstical, big-mouthed, punks like you choose to slander and judge publicly.
Everytime you open your mouth it just further clairifies what drives you. Your selfish need to be “heard” and your need to be right. Look very carefully at yourself and you will see more of you than others in yourself.
You like all of this players, you play with them, you admire them, and you respect them. Now these very same people are the worst thing to happen to baseball? You can’t have it both ways.
Instead of pointing the finger and make accusations, why don’t you assit in coming up with a solution. I am willing to bet, somewhere along way, you have taken a supplement that is now banned.
Curt,
I like the way you’ve addressed the issue this past week. You’ve given a perspective that few players are willing, or even have enough information, to share.
As far as striking records and statistics, how far does it reach? Do you have to adjust the ERA of every pitcher who faced a confirmed Steroid user? Do you adjust the AVG and OBP/SLG of every player who faced a pitcher that confessed to using? Does every at-bat that Manny has against Juan Rincon just vanish into thin air?
If anything, the statistics should be upheld to emphasize the skill that some players possess to ascend the contaminated atmosphere and succeed due to true determination and commitment… WITHOUT the need for any banned supplement or PED.
As far as awards go, I agree with some previous comments that you can’t count on the runner-ups to be clean, either. You just have to accept it as a dark time for baseball’s integrity and a brilliant time for baseball’s popularity.
Although, that’s just one man’s opinion, take it or leave it.
hey Curt,
Although I respect your work with ALS and the fact that you say what you believe about steroids and PEDs, there is a time to just be quiet. I am a long time phillies fan and will never forget the towel over head incendent when Mitch Williams was on the mound. What a total lack of respect. You are not and never have been a graet pitcher. crying to management to get you help on the mound. you were the Ace on a bad rotation but at best a #2 anywhere else. On a positve note, go to Washington D.C. and lobby for better control of cheating in sports. I think you would be good at that. Or atleast take Seligs job and clean baseball up.
First of all anyone who didn’t know that these drugs were being used is an idiot. Second, Believe me when I tell you STEROIDS SAVED BASEBALL. Our good buddy Bud Selig could not stop a work stoppage and when that was finally resolved, he turned a blind eye to steroids because the Mcguire and Sosa homerun race was putting baseball back in the headlines. You can blem the guys who were doing it, but this all happened under Seligs watch and believe me he knew it. And with you Curt being a player during this era, I am sure that you knew of guys who were on your team and were taking performance enhancing drugs. Did you ever A. call them out on it or B. turn them in to the Commisoners Office? If I had to bet money you turn a blind eye too. So if it ever comes out that a guy you played with took steroids are you going to give up the victories you got while he was on the field with him and take Wins off your career stats?
Curt,
I wanted to offer my opinion regarding being a number 2 starter. You said that you accepted being #2 behind Randy, & Pedro, which I can agree with, but Josh? C’mon? From watching your performance of the second half of the season, especially in the playoffs after you were well rested from fatigue or whatever injury you had I believe that when the game is on the line you are still truly dominant and masterful on the mound. Don’t sell yourself short, I can believe that a 162 game season might be too long for someone of your age too pitch at such a high level consistently but when well rested you still pitch at the same level as Josh if not better, and it showed in the playoffs. I have seen more consistency in your years than I have with Josh which counts alot in my book. Good luck with the 2008 season.
Matt
after hearing of a Curt Schilling blog I have done my best to avoid helping to give him the attention he craves. But after reading his statements on Clemens its obvious how he really feels. There is no doubt that Schilling had his time, and I emphasize HAD his time. He WAS a solid pitcher, you have to look no farther than the ‘01 world series. While his skills have faded, his need for attention has only grown stronger. He can’t just sit back and watch as possibly the greatest pitcher in history is going down. He needs to throw his insecurities in the mix. He was never the pitcher Clemens was and never will be. I have always looked at Schilling as a poor man’s Rocket.
Maybe curt should sit back and wait to see if these “ALLEGATIONS” against Clemens are true before he indicts a man. I feel that he was truly excited to hear that Clemens was on the Mitchell Report. It gave him more motivation to try and prove he is not the most overrated pitcher of his time. So Curt, don’t jump the gun on these allegations against Clemens and stop trying to prove your just as good as the Rocket. I suggest you sit back, enjoy the holidays, curl up with your bloody sock, and keep your mouth shut.
Curt why don’t you keep your mouth shut for once.. we all admit that your are great pitcher but if your mouth did the same thing we would admire you even more. Let Clemens do whatever he wants and defend himself as much as he wants, your job is to get ready for next summer when A-Rod keeps abusing your butt on Home Runs. Give up man you lied by using tomato juice on your sock, everyone else talked about it but no one from the Yankees said a word about you… they admitted you beat them.. and thats the bottom line ..
I think the Babe himself was totally wasted with alcohal on many occasions when he was hitting his records. And he was medicated for his recovery after so he was enhancing everything about himself. A guy hit 60 HRS when everyone else is hitting 20. And so it goes, all records are meaningless.
Curt your a moron,just like u said in 2002 that half are either using or thinking about it, so which one are u curt? I’d put money on it that youve used and just cause uve never got caught or tested positive doesnt mean your innocent. You get payed millions of dollars to throw a ball thats it, your not a lawyer, your not the commisoner of baseball. I think you hould just keep your mouth shut.
Signed a U.S. Marine, the guy who lets you talk out your ass
Curt.
I must say I’ve disliked you for a long time, I’m a Cardinal fan, so for every ounce of grit, determination, desire you pushed to get through that 2006 postseason and world series was a dagger in my heart. Much the same when Arizona barely nodded us in the playoffs with you and Randy. Still however, for you, that should be a tribute to what you did. We dislike Beltran too, mostly because he beat us into the ground nearly everytime he stepped in a batters box until Wainright finally broke his knees in 2006 with that curveball.
I have recently stepped off this platform with your comments regarding Roger. Regardless of which team you played for, a lot of major leaguers are trying to pass this off as simply a couple of guys trying to avoid jail time. It’s not a couple of guys. Grimsley said the same junk when he was busted, Canseco as well. Since sterroids became a focus point, time and time again, people have fingered Clemens. Each time his response has been, “that’s not true”. That may fly when someone is pointing fingers because he’s bitter to be out of the game, or when someone seems to be deflecting punishment because he was just caught…. All of them though, how naive should a fan be asked to be to ignore 4 different accounts of a guy that are all in line with one another?
In either event, I must assume as a pitcher/player who’s played at such a great level for so long and done it cleanly (and I am assuming your clean or you wouldn’t be taking such a stand about this) it must really get under your skin that not only are these guys winning awards, taking roster spots, setting the bar higher, etc etc…. It also leads the normal fan who’s not a ballplayer to wonder if anyone in the entire sport is actually willing to be the hero who can play without the needles…..
Good luck to you and your career Curt, thanks for taking a stand on this. I’m sure 1 million people could line up and ask Roger for an answer and get nothing…. If people like you will stand up and ask for answers, maybe we’ll actually get some.
I find it extremely interesting that Clemens or anyone else in Curt Schillings eyes has to prove their innocence. What about someone proving Clemens’ guilt. We are asked to take the word of a person who was threatened with jail over a guy who played for 25 years. Clemens may be guilty but my god Mr. Schilling I would hope baseball has more proof that McNamee’s word. Is there a paper trail? If not, how can we try and convict Clemens on somebody’s word. Does anyone else find it a little interesting that McNamee remembers every date in detail of when he injected Clemens? Is he lying? Otherwise I don’t understand why he kept such detailed records. And, Curt explain to me how Clemens can clear his name. Other than saying he didn’t do it, what can he do? Must he show his butt has no needle marks? I just don’t know how anyone can accomplish this, can you enlighten me Curt? Also, if the Mitchell report is the bible, where is Mark McGwire’s name? How about Sammy Sosa and Brady Anderson? David Ortiz should have gotten some scrutiny and you yourself Curt should have been looked at. Geez you’re still pitching at a high level at an advancing age. That would seem to raise some eyebrows, I would think. I firmly believe at least 80% of the players are involved in this yet we only singled out a few. I personally know of a player now in the majors, who while in the minors a few years ago, said I can’t wait to get on the 40 man roster so I can go on the juice like everybody else. The minors were the only ones testing at that time. The Mitchell report is what it is, some truth but a lot of innuendo. Curt, I would think you would be a lot better off staying out of the light of this since nobody knows where it could lead.
Curt, I find it very intriguing that you think you step up to the plate by calling Clemens out. It was along the same lines that you did this with Bonds, but apologized the next day, althought the apology was not really carried by the papers. Are you going to apologize tomorrow for this?
If you really want to step to the plate, why don’t you have a lie-detector test taken. Make it a public statement ! Pass the lie detector test, then push for the rest of baseball to do so.
Until you do something along those lines, i think you should sit back and keep your opinions to yourself. I am one who would be shocked if you were found to be clean, or if your World Series victories are without some players who were enhanced. So before you throw any more stones, take care of your own house.
Also, i want to know if you are willing to give back your World Series rings if players that were on your team are found to be enhanced? C.mon Curt, step to the plate !
cheers
B
Mr. Shilling,
You are entitled to your opinion. With that being said, I find it ironic how critical you are of the athlets of color in major league baseball with no concrete evidence of wrong doing, prior to your press release apologies, than you are of white athlets. We can just go through your blogs, the proof is in the pudding.
In the Mitchell report it stated that all 32 major league baseball teams failed to report and or had an involvement with the use of performance enhancing drugs. I just want you to say that you had no first hand knowledge of the use of performance enhancing drugs by your peers in the numerous years you have been a pro, then and only then do should any current major leaguer can be critical of another major leaguer.
Which is worse, the person who breaks the law and goes un-punished because no one will assist the prosecuter. Or the one who saw the indivdual break the law and does nothing. Looks like they are pretty much the same to me, but hey thats just my opinion.
Signed,
Fan of All Sports
P.S. If you won 2 world championships with the opponents cheating, doesn’t that make you feel good, to know that you are better than them on the PED? That would make me feel great, but hey thats just my opinion.
I think Bud Selig should run for some sort of political office or open a magic show. He is a champion manipulator. The players are taking all the hits for this, when he should be the one swinging. It was his responsiblity to deal with this in the late 90’s and he didn’t. So now he is throwing everyone else under the bus. He is tricker than Kris Angel The Mindfreak. He will continue to go after player after player to keep the posse off his trial. You wait and see and now the goverment is going to get behind him. It is the classic bait and switch. What short of accountablity does he fall under. I think the players should all strike again like they did in ‘94 until he is out. I know that is just a pipe dream but come on he is not going to be pentalized at all. I wish the Mitchell report had started with the suggestion that Selig step down.
Baseball is raped. I know that is harsh but it is the truth. All the records are gone. Bud Selig is the, “Andy Dufresne” of major league baseball, “He crawled through a river of crap and came out clean on the other side.”
you said it curt, you “just might be naive and stupid”.
Curt,
C’mon, piling on is beneath you. Clemens is your friend, with friends like you who needs enemies? This is absurd getting caught up in baseballs pathetic attempt to right the wrongs of previously failing to drug test the players. The hundreds or thousands of players that used but were not mentioned in the report get off scot free?
No one can claim they didn’t know baseball was a drug infested sport, your union fought testing at every turn, and for that very reason. Let’s go back and crucify everyone named in the “mitchell report” without proof? Rubbish I say. The statute of limitations on the suspected criminal activity has rendered most of the players that previously used steroids exempt from prosecution.
To promote healing I say let it go with the past suspected activity. Your union should finally allow proper testing to protect the health of it’s players and the integrity of the game. That is what has been learned, and really nothing more.
The thing left to discuss is how can Barry Bonds be the only player prosecuted? Two reasons. 1.) He is not a media darling like Clemens. 2.) He is Black. There I said it and I believe it. Bonds is being singled out because he refused to incriminate himself. Clinton lied under oath and he is fixing to return to the white house when in fact he should have been prosecuted under the same argument that they are using for Bonds.
The “Mitchell Report” was a waste of time and money, prepared by a former Senator who may or may not have “unclean hands” he is a politician after all! For one man, senator Mitchell,, to be given the power of Judge and Jury is ludicrous at the very least. Libelous possibly, irresponsible certainly. That 20 million could have fed a whole lot of needy families this Holiday season.
Anyone and everyone who follows baseball has an opinion on this one. For any of you posters who are here just to rip on Curt, I would politely request that they close their pie holes. Take your hating to your own blog. Just don’t wait for old Jimmy to show up. If you carefully read Curt’s comments you see that he wants Roger and all the others to clear up any doubts about illegal enhancement as much as anyone, but doesn’t see it happening. And to compare steroid use to medicinal pain killers or surgical repair of injuries is just too stupid to comment upon. As for me ,the whole problem could have been avoided if the players had allowed a stringent drug testing program. And we fans have to accept a lot of the blame for eagerly buying tickets to watch supermen blast balls into the stratosphere.
It is major league baseball’s fault for not having a policy in place at the time of this. The players union would not budge on this topic. They did a dis-service to all players that made it and the one’s that did not make it without cheating. The sport has been tainted for not having rules in place. Big league teams knew of the situation and did not take a stand due to money and also to how good the players were getting. Let’s face it in the early 90’s all the craze was for teams to sign latino players that they could juice and put mass on there thin frames. In order to keep up with the game players had to cheat to keep jobs and to be the best. I heard this story from a pretty good source that stated that when Johnny Damon was traded to the Yankees it was b/c he tested positive for roids and was going to be suspended when the Sox turned him in. He refused and said he would rat yourself ( Schilling ) and Ortiz of using roids also if any action was taken and he wanted traded too. I have always trusted your opinions and I don’t believe the strory but it is out there I heard it from a player 1st hand. If baseball wants to clean up there needs to be testing and penalties similar to track/field and tennis on the 2 year ban if caught. This exposing of players who used is ridiculous ( the league did not have a policy in place ) and players almost had to use to keep jobs. Bonds used to prove to everybody that he was the best. It was ego but he finally said enough is enough- I will show you what I can do if I cheat. In the 90’s I respected Bonds and Griffey for not using but Barry had to put his foot down. Good luck to you and I apologize in advance for the story I just don’t like hearing you slam other players when I have heard you also used. Baseball is to blame so lets put new rules in place and have the game move forward. No taking away of awards and rings! Move on & take care!!
Personally, I think it’s embarrassing that you would speak out against one of the greatest pitchers of all time. His name has been dragged through the media, commercials made about him, and unfounded accusations made that are ruining his reputation. Now YOU’RE going to jump his ship as well? Imagine the stress that he and his family have had to go through on a daily basis not to mention the support and credibility he’s lost over this whole ordeal without ever having a chance to defend himself other than saying he’s not guilty. Meanwhile, you sleep nice and cozy without a care in the world, surrounded by your loved ones and free of controversy; yet you want to jump his ship? Just remember Curt that in this country you’re innocent until proven guilty. It’s a right that every citizen of this great nation shares including yourself.
Regards,
The Curt Schilling Deportation Commitee
Dear Curt,
This is the first time I’ve actually been on your blog and my skin is crawling with disstate. That said, I’m going to try to keep this short but I’m seething over your comments regarding Clemens. I have one word, hypocrite. It’s common knowledge to everyone that the bloody sock you wore to fake out the Yankees was painted red for show since you’re an attention-craving whore. You were called out on that by one of your own teammates, lest you forget. And yes, I have visited Cooperstown and seen your “bloody sock” in all its glory. Nice of you to give Cooperstown one of the socks you wore when you first got stitched up, Frankenankle, but you’re not fooling anyone by letting them think you actually wore that particular sock in the game. You’re as phony as they come until YOU can prove otherwise that that sock you wore in the game was actually blood. Wait, what’s that? You can’t? That sock was thrown out in the trash? I can’t say I’m shocked, not when a self-serving @&* like you wore it. Although Roger is guilty of being a self-absorbed hired gun, he is not guilty of being a cheat, unless there’s actual evidence he did. How dare you demand he give up his Cy Youngs. Give back your World Series ring in 2004, you phony! Mr. Clemens deserves an apology of the highest order from you, but I’m not sure he’s not wasting his breath. That would take class, which you, sadly, lack. I know you’re sore you weren’t the one invited onto 60 Minutes to gab with Katie Couric about how steroids is runing the game. Of course, if you had been, you would’ve taken up the whole hour running your mouth. Thank God the rest of us were spared.
In conclusion, there’s a place reserved in hell for hypocrites and fat bastards. Someday you’ll meet Scott Boras there.
Have a wonderful Holiday and dont’ choke on the coal in your stocking,
A Yankee Fan in New Jersey
the day before the mitchell report was made public, i spent a great deal of time thinking and writing about this issue. i have adopted a pretty hard stance against players who use PEDs. on many occasions, i have voiced that players’ stats and awards should be stripped and they should even be banned from further play in the professional arena. so the day before the report was published, a friend asked me, “what will you do if one of YOUR players is named?” i had already thought about it. and my answer was that i would be sad. and i would be angry. i asked myself, ‘what if schilling or varitek show up on the list?’ i asked this regarding these 2 players particularly because they are my two favorite players and the two who i would find most inconceivable to be there.
but, the thing about my opinions of either you, curt, or jason is that the only thing i can base this on is what i know about you from the media. as you pointed out, we fans don’t know you. but, i must say this; from everything i have read or seen of you and jason, i believe you both to be men of integrity. i believe you both take the game of baseball seriously and you both work very hard to achieve your goals. i believe you both put the integrity of game far above any gains that can occur through cheating. those are my beliefs and my opinions, and that is all they are.
as far as senator mitchell goes, i have to say i agree with your assessment that he is a man of integrity. he was a senator from my state. i do not know him personally, but he has proven himself time after time to be a thinking man who is capable of coming to unbiased conclusions. once again this is my opinion, but i believe it to be supported by a long standing track record from his entire professional life.
For the kiddie poolers among you, notably calio4life and the “please shut up!” ilk,
A ‘weblog’, or ‘blog’, is an online communication tool used to impart thoughts, generate discussion, report news, etc. As such, they are often utilized as tools by writers as places to share thoughts, opinion and analysis. Given that personal weblogs number over one hundred million now, and most of them follow the aforementioned guidelines for content generation, the fact that Curt Schilling posts thoughts, opinion and analysis should really surprise nobody (save for those of you who apparently aren’t finished evolving from under the rocks you’ve until recently called home).
Blogs generate traffic by providing content. A blogger who “just shuts up”, generates no content of interest, and therefore, has no reason to continue blogging.
Since there are many and more of us who enjoy coming here to read the thoughts an opinion of a professional athlete with an exceptional career and history in his sport, this wuold be a suboptimal conclusion.
Therefore, I would ask that the “please just shut up” crowd kindly delete their links to this site and refrain from coming here simply to regale us with their conceited ranting, as all these posts amout to is this: “Since your opinion doesn’t jive with mine, yours not only has no value, but you shouldn’t be expressing it in the first place, therefore, you should be silenced.” I would ask those of you who feel this way to kindly book passage to the authoritarian country of your choice, where you can reside in the atmosphere of quashed speech and civil rights that you seem to desire.
Listen, I’m tired of people like you (Curt) trying to give good people a bad name. Do your really care the Roger Clemens used steroids, or is it because you’re upset that you WILL NEVER be half as good as Roger Clemens.
YANKEE FAN
4
LIFE !!!!
Sweet Jeebus, please shut up. Just because you were on Ding Dongs and Miller Lite when you DIDN’T win the Cy Young doesn’t mean you have the right to demand that he give anything back.
And seriously, aren’t you a Republican who supported the idiot in chief we have now? I’m sure you’re still condoning and excusing HIS administration’s outright contempt for the rules. Or could it possibly be that you want to set the precedent of punishing illegal substance using Cy Young winners because you came in SECOND so many times?
If there was an award for Most Annoying Pitcher, you would have quite a bit more hardware in your oversized trophy room.
Curt,
Clearly the naming of Roger Clemens has had an effect on you, but how do you feel about the naming of your former team-mate Eric Gagne as an alleged user of HGH? even though he clearly forgot to use them when he was a redsox, he was still on your team that won the world series this year
Danny
I’m very tired of people not recognizing the distinction between legal principle (innocent until proven guilty, a standard designed to make sure as few people are falsely imprisoned as possible) and the way the world works outside of a court room. If you applied the innocent until proven guilty logic to everything in your life, almost nothing would get done. Decisions would be impossible. Intuition, which normally serves us very wall (Gladwell’s Blink anybody?) would be useless.
Innocent until proven guilty has become the safe haven for the intellectually defunct, those whose loose grasp of reason allows them to espouse catchphrases without being accountable for the logic behind them.
You envious, hypocritical, speak-before-you-think-if-ever-making-it-to-the-thinking-part, Clemens-wannabe idiot.
While we’re at it, lets set the home run record back to 61 so that we once again have something to track and root for during the first three months of the season.
Curt just wanted to say it’s nice to see somebody speak out and voice their opinions on all this. For far to long baseball has turned a blind eye to the behind the scenes actions of it’s stars. I am proud to be a member of this great Sox nation and even more proud of the accomplishments the players have made on and off the field. You guys give back so much to the community and create a feeling of family. You could win 30 world series tropheys and none of them would mean as much to us fans as the work you do off the field for charities. To see that little guy run those bases after his fight with cancer makes being a Sox fan the greatest honor on earth. It goes far beyond baseball here and thats all thanks to the efforts of guys like you, who play the game with respect, honor and most off all clean. I can’t thank you enough for the way you make this Sox fan feel everytime I put on my hat with that B. I wish you and your beautiful family and wonderful, safe, and healthy holiday. God bless and Thank you.
BK
Comment by natefrancis
The distilled point by natefrancis:
Hey you guys telling Curt to shut up would you please shut up.
Listen, I’m tired of people like you (Curt) trying to give good people a bad name. Do your really care about Roger Clemens using steroids, or is it because you’re upset that you WILL NEVER be half as good as Roger Clemens.
YANKEE FAN
4 Holla at your boy!
LIFE !!!
Hi Curt,
Let me start by saying that as a Yankee fan and a liberal, I do not like agreeing with you. In fact, I kind of consider you an all-purpose enemy. But I have been so disappointed by the way this steroids issue has been handled by both the players and the media that I feel I must voice support for anyone who articulates (what I consider) an appropriate point of view.
“Innocent until proven guilty” is a legal standard set up by this country to insure that the rights of citizens could not be taken by the government until a strong case was made in a fair trial. It has nothing to do with how we should judge people’s reputations, nor should it. I do not mean to suggest that our standard should be “believe any and all accusations by any bozo or sleazebag who happens to have access to the media.” It simply means that we should make our own judgments about whom to trust, respect and shame based on the evidence available to us and that we should be ready to defend those judgments when challenged by others.
So far, Roger Clemens has not met my standard. To do so he must specifically refute the allegations that have been made against him in a forum in which some dialogue with the public is possible. A press conference would be fine. He steps up, he says “such and such is not true,” then a fan/reporter asks him point blank to clarify any ambiguities in his statements and he responds. If he in fact did not do what he is accused of, this will not be difficult. Afterward, he should be praised for having the honor to step forward it clear his name properly.
Until he does such a thing, I will assume that he has something to hide. This suspicion partly comes from his plea to remove himself from scrutiny based on his athletic accomplishments, as it is precisely this kind of rationale that I believe leads athletes to engage in and justify unethical behavior.
Well i think its none of your business Curt because you havent won as many cy youngs as Roger Clemens, hes a better player all around and hes gaurenteed a hall of fame entry and you arent just yet but my whole point is Curt, ur a pitcher you are suppose to be side by side with other pitchers around the league not disrupt their career or lives which are at stake. Curt, as a yankee fan, i think youre a great pitcher and one of the best ive seen as a red sox player and you’ll fit great in the hall with your bloody sock hahaha….Merry Christman Curt and May you have a great and healthy new year and Best Wishes To the Schilling Family… and if you ever want to contact me heres the email address…alexrod101@yahoo.com
How do we know you never used performance enhancing drugs? You say you didn’t much like Roger says he didn’t. Why should we believe you over him or him over you? Accusations make the media spin - you should watch where and to whom you are casting stones!
You are a joke… a bad joke.
Yada Yada Yada………….if there was an award for outrageous bloviators in baseball, you would win it every year and nobody would ever request it be stripped for you. It amazes me how you have comments to share nationally on every single issue. I just took a sh#t, I will check your blog tomorrow to see what you have to say about it. Get over yourself Cuz.
It’s obvious what really happened here. One thing I know is that all politicians are crooked. All the juicers on the RedSox got immunity from George Mitchell, and to keep it from being suspicious they threw the one player that the Sox fans hate under the bus- Gagne. So no one will ever know if Papi, Manny, or Schilling ever used, but I will always wonder because oif the source of this investigation.
Good night, people. Curt hasn’t accused Roger Clemens of anything, yet as a *fan* has expressed his hope that Clemens will come clean and put to rest some very troubling allegations that were made _under oath_. And coming clean means using the appropriate legal means to clear your name. Clemens hasn’t done this (saying that all the allegations made by McNamee are false isn’t enough from a legal standpoint).
I don’t always agree with what Curt says and agree that in some cases his points of view are wrong or misguided (e.g. Ben Davis’ bunt that broke up his perfect game bid; anyone remember that?). But I know first hand that Curt isn’t as egotistical or jealous as many make him out. Back in ‘01 when the (cursed) Diamondbacks won the World Series, I posted on a small e-mail list (devoted to boardgames of all things) that I thought Curt should have won the Cy Young over Randy Johnson. While I knew that Curt had some ties to the list, I was flabbergasted to receive a person e-mail, cc-ed to the list, defending the decision to give the award to Johnson; especially went several posters had already made comments about how Johnson was clearly the better pitcher. Now, if someone were as egostical and jealous as people claim Curt is, he wouldn’t have written this e-mail. At best, he would have kept quiet; at worst he would have agreed with my post.
I like Roger Clemens a lot and have a soft spot for the Yankees (having attended many games in the 70’s-80’s), but Curt’s right here: as a fan, let’s hope Clemens addresses these allegations with the strongest legal means and clears himself once and for all. Otherwise, he’ll be dealing with a shadow for the rest of his career.
Oh yeah — how about Pete Rose (Mr. Greenie) coming out against these “terrible steroid” abusers when it is well documented that he was a big-time amphetamine user. Can anyone say hypocrisy?
HOW DO YOU DEFEND THE DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT IN YOUR PERFORMANCE AFTER YOU MET ROGER CLEMENS???????
HOW DO YOU DEFEND THE FACT THAT ALTHOUGH YOUR CLUBBIE CARLOS COWART WAS ARRESTED WITH STEROIDS, GEORGE MITCHELL (OF THE BOSTON RED SOX) NEVER THOUGHT TO CONTACT HIM, NOR WAS THERE ANY INVESTIGATION HELD TO FLUSH OUT WHAT HE KNEW????
HOW DO YOU DEFEND THE FACT THAT MANNY ALEXANDER WAS NEVER FORCED TO TALK NOT ONLY BY MLB BUT BY GEORGE MITCHELL (OF THE BOSTON REDSOX) WHO SHOULD HAVE HAD THE AUTHORITY, THROUGH HIS CONNECTION TO THE CLUB, TO MAKE HIM TALK?????
The fact of the matter is this until Mitchell got information from McNeme and Rodomski his report was nothing more than a copy and paste term paper with little insight into anything. Why did he not go after the low hanging fruit in the Red Sox organization???
If Clemens should have to defend things like that you should too…
A lot of hitters were supposedly on juice at the same time. In light of that, if the charges are true, are his accomplishments all that tainted?
I have read a lot of comments about “innocent until proven guilty” in the last two posts by Curt.
I would like to add that in a civil court of law, you need only a preponderance of the evidence to tip the scale of justice. With the civil court standard of “guilt,” I am 100% sure that Clemens used performance enhancing drugs.
The Mitchell report is more than just accusations. McNamee injected Clemens himself. Moreover, I believe McNamee’s credibility strengthens daily with player admissions. I believe Pettite’s admission was the nail in the coffin. McNamee was right on the mark when he said that Pettite used HGH 2-4 times. Then Brian Roberts Admitted to one shot of steroids.
Good luck to Clemens when he receives a subpoena to talk to Congress.
Give back the Cy Youngs? No, they should be stripped from Clemens if he is found to have cheated by the use of steroids, just as Jones had her gold medals stripped recently by the Olympic committee for the use of enhancing substances. Likewise, Bonds should have his homerun record removed from the record books if he is found to have been “juiced”. No meaningless Asterik next to his name. Olympians who have been found cheating have their medals taken away and any records they have set removed from the record books. For some reason Baseball believes that once a record is in the books, it is immutable no matter how it was attained, and must remain in the record books. Records by cheats should not count or be recognized. They never happened. Baseball should follow the example of the Olympics and the Tour D’France
hey curt, why dont you, for once, lead by example. you are always pointing fingers and not owning up. how can you do that? let me explain.
the mitchell report that you refer to in regard to Roger Clemens returning his cy young awards also names 2 of your former teamates; Johnny Damon and Trot Nixon, both of whom played intricate parts of your 2004 championship run. both players, moreso Damon but both none-the-less, had career years tat year. and, being at game 7 of the ALCS, the juiced up Johnny hit 2 out.
So, Curt, i ask you to hand back your ring in the name of honesty and in the support of steroid and taint free baseball. if not, you are just upset that Roger crushed you in the Cy Young candidacy and you really arent concerned about baseballs integrity at all…
This was all so obvious. These guys, just the dozens I knew in the gym, got gains way past those of us relying on protein and hard work. We all knew it then, and now we want to pretend that we are aghast. It sucks, but the entire era should be known as the “Decade of Juice” It may be unfair, but there is no way to say, prove you are innocent. The question, at least for this American, is that they need to be proved guilty, at least before you can take legal action. So to all those clean players, I say you should have spoken up when the rage and the ache and the extra 50 pounds of muscle showed up. You knew it then, live with it now
shut up already! all you do is cry! just play ball. i’m sick of hearing you talk! it sounds like you are just jealous. get over it and go play ball. life’s not fair get use to it. i really don’t care who took steroids and who didn’t. you need a lot more then steroids to be a great baseball player or else everyone who took steroids would be great.
sr
Thanks for your well thought out take. It’s simple really, if someone calls you a liar or cheat, you do everything in your power to dispell the allegations and clear your name. When it comes down to it, that’s all we really have in this world that matters…our good name. In this case, silence speaks volumes.
Too bad the media is “cherry picking” your comments on Roger to make headlines….more irresponsible journalism.
It is 1997. Roger has been told by Boston’s GM he is on the downside of his career. He goes to Toronto meets Canseco, who probably tells him steroids will help him revive his career. Roger says, okay. I am a competitor. I will do anything to be on top of my game. Much like Barry Bonds being jealousy of McGwire and Sosa, Roger will do anything to continue playing at a high level. Drugs be damned. What the heck, MLB doesn’t test for anything. I will not be caught doing something that baseball doesn’t outlaw. Well, the rest is history. Now if Roger calls a press conference right now and tells the truth. Says his story much like I layout, we can all move forward. Call it the “Steroids Era”. But, if Roger, pulls a Pete Rose and lies for 15 years about his
situation, well, then the hell with him and his entire career. Well, Roger the ball is in your hand. What are you going to do?
Crying won’t get you a Cy Young. Must be tough living in rogers shadow. Maybe you and Jamie Lynn Spears ought to get together.
There is only one reason why Curt Shilling has made the brazen demand on Roger Clemens to clear or return. It is because Mr. Shilling knows the truth. In fact, all the players know who uses and who doesn’t. Do you really think that Clemens can possibly clear his name? No. Mr. Shilling has ordained himself as the righteous one who can blog his way through the PED tainted sport called baseball. In his defense, Mr. Shilling has the appearance of a normal 40 year old athlete and the mediocre stats that go along with a non-PED physique. I think he is clean. I also think that he has lost sleep because he has not been able to rat on his fellow players. Now that Mr. Mitchell has opened the door a little, out come the accusations against a player who has obviously been cheating for years.
Do baseball a bigger favor, Curt. Name all the names. Call them all out. You have been wanting to do it for a long time. Here is your chance. Will the Red Sox be able to field a team of 9 players if you do?
Having been in the field for over 30 years, I can tell you that the Mitchell Report contained some useful information for MLB to attempt to clean up the game, but none of what was reported would hold up in court. That being said, there are probably 25% of the names on the list that never touched the stuff and over 200 not on the list that did. Maybe you should stick to throwing the ball and not you mouth.
“How cool would it be if you did that”
i was just watching Fox News and while reporting about this blog they were showing clips of Clemens from the past. One of the clips was the Piazza broken bat thing.
I haven’t seen that clip in a year or so. this time i was seeing it with new perspective.
A guy breaks his bat (blame physics) and you pick up this sharp, heavy dagger and fling it at a guy!!!!!!!!!!
National media took that incident and stroked their baby Roger. “Oh he’s just passionate for the game and he gets fired up when playing the game he loves”
Wrong!!!!
The millions of thick hairs on his back were prickling and he went into an incredible hulk roid ra