Analyze This

So Roger Clemens was found not guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice.  Big deal. 

Remember, not guilty doesn't mean innocent.  It simply means that the federal government did not prove its case.  Did anyone even really care about the outcome of this trial?  Does it really mean anything?  I don't think so.  

In the one court that does matter, in the court of public opinion, the majority of people still believe that Roger Clemens used performance-enhancing drugs.  And for that he will be forever guilty.  Just like Barry Bonds.  Just like Sammy Sosa.  Just like Mark McGwire. 

Did these players think that if they didn't admit the obvious, if they held out and kept pleading their innocence, that we would eventually believe them?  Do they think we're that dumb? 

What about the one PED user that admitted to his use when his name appeared on the Mitchell Report?  What about Andy Pettitte?  He seems to have come out of this unscathed.  Why?  BECAUSE HE TOLD THE TRUTH.  He admitted it.  He told us he regretted it.  He told us he was sorry that he let us down.  He apologized.  And for that he has earned our respect.

Today's news reports focus on whether this verdict will catapult Clemens back to the status of being a first ballot Hall of Famer.  I hope to God not. 

When deciding whether a player belongs in Cooperstown, voters not only judge the nominee on his performance on the field, but they also must take into account his character, integrity and sportsmanship.  In that case, Clemens doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell.