Roger Clemens Interview Finally Here!

Yes! It’s finally here! Roger Clemens will be giving his take on the allegations that he used steroids at some point in his storied baseball career.

Roger Clemens, who many consider the best pitcher since the end of World War II, will appear on “60 Minutes” in an interview done by CBS’s own Mike Wallace. Wallace happens to have a personal relationship with Clemens, and so it seemed natural that he would conduct the interview.

The question many want to be asked of Clemens is whether or not he used steroids. However, that in itself is a dumb and ludicrous question because as sure as the sun will come up tomorrow, Clemens answer to said question will undeniably be a resounding “No!”

Now, there is no question that Wallace will ask this question, and rightfully so. But where Mike Wallace can throw Clemens some “chin music” is by asking Clemens questions around the main topic, thereby forcing Clemens to describe, in detail, how the steroid-use allegations made by Brian McNamee against Clemens in the George Mitchell Report are not true.

The funny thing is, I am not sure Clemens can quite do that. And since the interview has already been conducted and is in the editing room right now, I think that even if Wallace did ask questions like that of Clemens, those segments will get left on the cutting room floor, due to the close relationship of Wallace of Clemens, and this recent development.

On Wednesday, January 2, 2008, Richard Emery, a lawyer for Brian McNamee, said that if Clemens said anything that was damaging to his client’s livelihood or testimony, that Clemens would best be served by making sure that those statements do indeed get left on the cutting room floor.

“He’s got a chance to protect himself…We’re not going to sue him if he doesn’t do it. But if he does it, we’re going to sue him.” (from the NYTimes)

Those are strong words coming from an attorney that is in defense of a man with a questionable reputation. Afterall, how damaging can anything Clemens says be to someone who admits to sticking steroids into the butt of another man?

However, despite the ability of Clemens to damage McNamee’s reputation, the threat remains out there. Therefore, if Clemens does talk badly of McNamee, he will be sued. Is he prepared for that? Clemens does not want to go to court to answer questions about his steroid use in an effort to defend himself against McNamee. In such a case, he would be forced to answer questions about using steroids and he is not even being the aggressor.

And as we all know, that hasn’t worked out for the likes of Raphael Palmero, Sammy Sosa, and Mark McGuire. Nevertheless, let’s just see what this interview portrayals.

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