Acorn

Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: www.usatoday.com Roger Clemens not only faces interrogation for steroid use, but for perjury as well.

Considering my unparalleled hatred of the New York Yankees, and sheer disgust for Roger Clemens, many would assume I am in a state of sheer nirvana watching Roger Clemens' legacy come crumbling down like a baseball version of Britney Spears. While my "Yankees Suck" rings as loud as the next red blooded Red Sox fan, I am very disheartened by the apparent guilt of the Rocket. Considering the evidence stacked against Roger, and the testimony of his trainer Brian McNamee, I have never been so sure of someone's guilt since the Juice got loose.

One may wonder why I take no joy in the Red Sox biggest enemy being exposed as a total fraud since he left the city where he built his name. Well, first of all, I am a lifelong baseball fan. Any true baseball fan of any team has been dismayed by the crossfire of steroid allegations in the past few years. Baseball is such an integral part of American culture, and its stars are so revered and idolized by the public, how can a fan not be discouraged by the exposing of many of the game's biggest names as cheaters? Bottom line, Roger Clemens being uncovered is bad for the game. I am not saying the Mitchell Report should not have come out, because the public deserves to know.

As far as baseball players go, there are few I genuinely dislike more than Clemens. Why? As a Red Sox fan, its basically required. That is as good a reason as you are going to get, sorry. Despite my distaste for Roger, I respected the hell out of the guy, pre-steroid allegations. The guy was just so good, and unlike most human beings, seemed to be completely immune to the effects of aging. At numerous times in his career I was convinced Clemens was finished, yet the guy kept coming back and kept adding to his legacy, breaking records, and winning. I could not help but admire him for contributing so much to the game, and could not come up with a reason why a guy old enough to be my father made the game look so easy. Well, now I know the reason, and it is the same feeling I had when I found out Santa Claus was not the one putting presents under my Christmas tree.

The issue is bigger than Clemens, which makes this dark time for America's pastime even bleaker. Now, every time we wonder, "How has this guy been so good for so long?" steroids will automatically pop up in our minds, regardless of the validity of the thought. This is not what our beloved game needs, but unfortunately it will be a long time before the link between steroids and baseball superstardom will be broken.

Now the best hitter and the best pitcher of our generation have been linked to steroids. Even if we entertained the thought they were innocent, the court of public opinion has reached their verdict. There is a looming cloud of suspicion over the entire game, and this is why I cannot take any joy in the guilt of who I considered the best pitcher of all time.

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