Congress to Clemens: You Lie
I can’t say I’m not a little bit happy about this. I know that’s unprofessional.
But listen, Roger Clemens deserves to be investigated; his lying seemed obvious and brazen. Andy Pettitte, in contrast, handled it like a man. I’m just glad someone has the teeth to take this bully on.
When I covered the Yankees, I found Clemens to be surprisingly disrespectful. In particular, he seemed to despise women journalists. On more than one occasion, he purposely turned away from me and other women reporters when we asked him questions, even if they were of the innocuous kind. You know, “How was your fastball working in the bullpen?” or "Who do you have to be careful with in this lineup?"
He seemed to enjoy humiliating me, in particular. He made loud comments about me standing too close to the dressing room ... or the showers ... or the lounge. This pretty much covered the whole clubhouse! I never knew why he did this since I wasn’t around him all that much. At the time, however, I was not battle-hardened to that kind of behavior. It hurt and confused me.
I know I’m being a bit childish here. And telling tales out of school. And kicking him when he’s down.
I never said I was a saint.
This brings me to a dilemma I faced in my second career as a teacher. After working as a sports journalist for several years, I got married and taught middle school students in the Bronx. After that, I taught 4th grade boys in Manhattan. Inevitably, some co-worker or parent would discover my maiden name and my prior career, despite my attempts to hide it. They were incredulous that I wouldn't flaunt my former connections. But I had a couple of legitimate worries. First, I was terrified the school would ask me to round up Derek Jeter for the school’s annual fund dinner. I couldn’t.
Secondly, I was worried my sweet, impressionable students would ask me, “What was so-and-so really like?” And I’d either have to lie or tell them the truth. Now, in some cases, I could easily tell the truth. With Jeter or Joe Girardi, for example, I could, without hesitation, extol them as good, upstanding men worthy of their status as role models. But many other so-called “role models” were anything but.
In my opinion and experience, Clemens was in that category.
My students were at just the right age to have their dreams shattered. These kids idolized the Yankees and people who knew them. I hated having to lie to ten year-olds, so I avoided all talk of my prior “secret” life.
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Jul '10
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
I take no position as to whether Roger Clemens is or is not a nice guy, whether lady reporters should or should not be in men's changing rooms but I do ask this: what business is it of Congressional Oversight and Government Reform Committee to get into this particular affair? Is there no limit to the jurisdiction of our political masters?
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
Ragnarok, great point about whether or not it's Congress's business to get involved. I'm curious to read members' responses. However, I sense you are on the fence about the other two points you "take no position on." I suppose if you've never met Clemens or had to work with him, you'd be hard pressed to say whether or not he conducts himself with respect to all people. However, as for a "lady" reporter going into the dressing room, that means you take no position on whether women can be sportswriters or not, right? After all, it's not possible to interview players/coaches/managers unless you go into the clubhouse. In the clubhouse are separate rooms for showering, dressing, lounging, which are off limits to all reporters.
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
(Cont'd). Finally, even if Congress shouldn't be involved, I suppose you can't use that to justify lying, can you? Also, I might need to fact-check this, but I think Congress has ultimate oversight because it granted MLB a monopoly.
May '10
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
I simply cannot endorse "Contempt of Congress" as a legitimate charge. After all, if you can get thrown in the hoosegow for displaying contempt of Congress, who would scape whipping?
Sorry to hear that Roger Clemens is a sexist. Here's a rap lyric my college roommate wrote:
I'm walking I'm talkin, Macauley Culkin, Roger Clemens was called for balkin.
And if that doesn't appall you with its sheer badness, you're a better man than I, Gunga Din.
Aug '10
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
Roger Clemens' behavior has always struck me as filled with anger. Though I've only experienced him as a fan, and thus through media and televised games, he has never seemed heroic in any way. Skilled? A Hall of Famer? Certainly, but a hero? Not on your life.
The fictional character he most reminded me of was the "veteran pitcher," who's name escapes me, in THE SOUTHPAW. Henry Wiggin had been inspired as a youth by the man when he read the veteran's "autobiography," but he quickly discovered that same autobiography was pure fiction. The hard working and honest figure portrayed in the memoir was a spiteful and angry man.
One of the tragedies of sports journalism is that it mythologizes men along with achievements, men who often don't deserve mythologizing. These same said mythologizers then demonize those who betray the myths they -- the writers -- created.
Better to view the ballplayers as men, rather than demi-gods.
As for Clemens' behavior in the clubhouse...nice guy or not he had an obligation to behave professionally toward journalists. Apparently he failed in that regard.
Jul '10
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
Just because the words "congressional oversight" have the same effect on me as culture had on Goering (or was it Goebbels?) is no reason to suppose that I am justifying lying. I do wonder, now that you mention it, where the lawyers were and why they did not tell Mr Clemens to take the Fifth? One is still allowed to take the Fifth, eh?
As for the "lady" reporters, I misread your line, you meant the clubhouse, not changing rooms or showers. Sorry. I am prepared to be an equal opportunity offender: I would not care for the gentlemen of the press in the changing room either.
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
Nathaniel Wright: One of the tragedies of sports journalism is that it mythologizes men along with achievements, men who often don't deserve mythologizing. These same said mythologizers then demonize those who betray the myths they -- the writers -- created.
Better to view the ballplayers as men, rather than demi-gods.Aug 19 at 1:35pm
I agree, Nathaniel. It's tricky, though, isn't it? I mean, when you witness a graceful, truly beautiful moment in sports, it's hard not to revere the man or woman behind it. Watching Jordan, Woods, even Clemens often had a breath-taking quality to it. As a witness, and a writer, it's hard to de-sensitize oneself to that. Wouldn't you feel your words should try to describe the magic of the man and moment? Then again, writers AND fans, I would argue, seem to feed upon stories of downfall with little regard to feelings. However, I would add that what comes around goes around. For example, I'm pained when I read about the trials of Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry because they acted so professionally and respectfully in their (very up-and-down) careers. Clemens? Not so much...
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
Yes, that would have been wise, I think. You should have been his counsel, Ragnarok! It's essentially what McGwire did, right? Not exactly the Fifth, but pretty much. There was an arrogance -- a Clintonesque -- quality to Clemens's testimony, which is why it puzzled me that Republicans kind of took his "side" again McNamee in those hearings.
Jul '10
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
Clemons could have taken the Mark McGuire route and just not say whether he was a juicer or not. McGuire looked mortified at the hearing, but he didn't lie. Clemons opted for the barefaced variety. If it was on advice of counsel, he's got a good lawsuit, seems to me. I'm as suspicious of Congress, especially this one, as the next man. But it does do have long-standing authority to subpoena witnesses who swear an oath to tell the truth. The foulest mouth I've ever heard was Joe Montana's, yet you never got a hint of that in all of the miles of column inches written about the greatest quarterback ever. Any sportswriter who reported that would have had his team access canceled in a New York minute. They make the rules and journalists play by them. It's worse in Hollywood.
May '10
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
No disrespect, Ursula, but rarely do the words sports and journalism go together. If a journalist reported on half the things they see and hear while around a team they would never be able to write a game story because nobody would talk to them. There is a tacit agreement that writers are an extension of the team's PR machine. The only time they stray is when the player does something stupid enough to involve the law.
It's telling that the whole steroids story began to unravel during the McGwire/Sosa HR derby. It was a non-beat writer that had the guts to write down the names and investigate all of that stuff that was in open in the Cardinals locker room.
Even with its antitrust exemption, Congress has no business in this. The exemption covers the business end of baseball only and all it means is that if you wanted to start a third major league you couldn't do so by suing MLB for its monopoly.
As for Contempt of Congress, who isn't guilty of that?
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
Well, do you think political journalism is any different? Or Hollywood? Or music? I mean, once you get deep inside any industry you see a lot of ugly stuff, but you need them and they need you. It's a seedy relationship at times, for sure. I will say that the happenings of 9/11 pushed me far from this world. I did not want to die having been only a sportswriter. It was unsatisfying and I was haunted my conscience. So, I quit to teach. THAT SAID, there are not bad people in journalism, but there are many opportunists who have to weigh benefits and costs. Isn't that true of many -- even most -- occupations?
May '10
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
If you are never going to return to sports journalism then you need to write a book that explores that world. The world is never going to get an honest look from a lifer.
I watched an MLB All-Star chuck his career into the toilet and it wasn't pretty. Wine, women and copious amounts of food. The team made excuses and the writers played along.
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
Ursula, they always say "never meet your heroes," because of course they won't live up to the fantasy projection. On the other hand, I've met a lot of famous people, and I've been lucky -- most of them have been not just gracious but over-the-top nice. Like it's a privilege to be where they are. Like they have some kind of stewardship of the famous person category.
Of course, you can't throw the book at someone just because he's a jerk. But occasionally, in amidst the unfairness and the injustice in the world, the jerk gets his own anyway. And sure, that's worth smiling about.
May '10
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
I believe Clemens boldly asked to speak to congress and wasn't suppeoned or simply asked. I could have a bad memory though, but I believe I am right. Plus you couldn't help but dislike the trainer, he seemed to me like a girly man. He makes his life and living off of riding Clemons coat tails and then a little pressure comes along and he folds like a cheap card table. I also love in this whole saga how after a two year investigation not one Red Sox player was found to be using roids by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, a director of the Boston Red Sox. How convenient.
May '10
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
What's the line from "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance?"
When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
Peter Schwab: He makes his life and living off of riding Clemons coat tails and then a little pressure comes along and he folds like a cheap card table.
I also love in this whole saga how after a two year investigation not one Red Sox player was found to be using roids by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, a director of the Boston Red Sox. How convenient. · Aug 19 at 3:13pm
Two great points, Peter. Still, I'm a big fan of loyalty, but probably a bigger fan of honesty. I think Clemens created this mess out of arrogance, frankly. However, I could be proven wrong. He's not guilty yet! Your second point might win an award in the Claire B. Conspiracy Contest. It's that good!
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
Yes, yes. I always forget to point out -- and I should -- that the vast majority of athletes whom I met were extraordinarily respectful, professional, and thoughtful.
May '10
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
Baseball is still complicit in this. Bonds' and McGwire's records still stand as does all the others. And Big Mac is back in the Cardinals dugout.
Want to put the sports world on its collective ear? Admit that the results were tainted and vacate the records and a couple of World Championships. Turn in your rings!
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
EJHill: If you are never going to return to sports journalism then you need to write a book that explores that world. The world is never going to get an honest look from a lifer.
I watched an MLB All-Star chuck his career into the toilet and it wasn't pretty. Wine, women and copious amounts of food. The team made excuses and the writers played along. · Aug 19 at 2:59pm
Well, I am unfortunately a victim of baby brain. I honestly can't *remember* so much of what happened. Ten years and 3 babies dulls the sharpness of those days, I can tell you.
And, your anecdote reminds me of Elvis!
Aug '10
Re: Congress to Clemens: You Lie
@Peter Schwab, we all know that Manny Ramirez didn't start using 'roids until he was a Dodger. The Red Sox never participate in any shenanigans.
Besides, "speed" is a bigger problem in Baseball than the juice ever was. Of course, a year after the league started testing for speed the number of players diagnosed ADHD tripled.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/great-kids-great-parents/201002/baseball-and-adhd