[Lefty Noob]

Well, this is what a lot of us were waiting for - Roger Clemens has filed a defamation of character lawsuit against former Yankees trainer Brian McNamee. In the suit, Clemens claims that the trainer was threatened with jail time if he refused to finger the future Hall of Famer in the Mitchell Report. So now, how will the chips fall in all this?

Roger Clemens sues Brian McNamee for defamation - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Well, this is what a lot of us were waiting for - Roger Clemens has filed a defamation of character lawsuit against former Yankees trainer Brian McNamee. In the suit, Clemens claims that the trainer was threatened with jail time if he refused to finger the future Hall of Famer in the Mitchell Report. So now, how will the chips fall in all this?

Roger Clemens sues Brian McNamee for defamation - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Like many others I watched the report last night. I still go with the "innocent until proven guilty" theory. I will say that I see no reason for McNamee to put the finger on Clemens when it is already a deal that if he lies, he goes to jail. On the other side of the coin I see no way to prove that Clemens actually did any drugs. I'm sorry but McNamee's word alone won't do it. Even if someone else were to collaborate McNamee's story, I'd still be in question.

My personal opinion is that he probably did do the drugs. His excuses were poor at best ... for me.

[ThePundit]

Wow. Now I'm on the road to believing Clemens. Why didn't he sue MLB, too?

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I won't say it isn't true but it is hard to believe that those working for the Mitchell report would have asked McNamee to implicate Clemens if it weren't true. It's also hard to believe that with jail time hanging over his head for perjury that he (McNamee) would lie about Clemens or anyone. Those investigating had to know that if there was a chance it was false that they were just sending McNamee to jail. What is the advantage of making Clemens look guilty if they have no proof ?? His career was basically over last year. It's not like his career has been cut short. I just don't get it.

[EmpireWF]

Does Clemens have any proof that McNamee was threatened with jail if he didn't finger him?

As I understand it, McNamee had to tell the truth to the Feds/investigators or he'd go to prison. So why would he lie?

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Originally Posted by EmpireWF

Does Clemens have any proof that McNamee was threatened with jail if he didn't finger him?

As I understand it, McNamee had to tell the truth to the Feds/investigators or he'd go to prison. So why would he lie?

I would suspect that Clemens is aware that there was a deal for McNamee in reference to jail time. Therefore there was no reason for McNamee to implicate Clemens .... at least until we hear more information.

[EmpireWF]

What do you mean by 'no reason' for him to implicate Clemens? He was told if he was found to be lying, he'd be imprisoned. So why would he make something up?

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Originally Posted by EmpireWF

What do you mean by 'no reason' for him to implicate Clemens? He was told if he was found to be lying, he'd be imprisoned. So why would he make something up?

I guess my mind and my fingers were not working together. There seems to be no reason, other than the truth, why McNamee would implicate Rogo. If I were told that if I lied I'd go to prison, then you can be sure that I would not implicate anyone that I wasn't 100% sure of. In other words I wouldn't say that I gave him drugs if there were any chance I could end up being a liar.

Here is another scenario. If it cannot be proven that Clemens DID use roids will McNamee be guilty of lying or will his lawyers claim that no one has proven, without a shadow of a doubt, that McNamee lied and no one has proven that Clemens did NOT use 'roids.

No matter what happens Rogo's reputation will forever be tainted.

[EmpireWF]

McNamee will be interviewed by 60 minutes within the next couple of days. That interview, a rebuttal of sorts, will air next Sunday evening.

[ThePundit]

In that phone conversation between Clemens and McNamee, why didn't Clemens say "Why did you lie?"

I guess he didn't want to hear the answer. I still don't believe Clemens.

[Lefty Noob]

I have no idea why in the world Clemens released those tapes. They hurt his case (because of what he did/didn't say) more than they helped it.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

I have no idea why in the world Clemens released those tapes. They hurt his case (because of what he did/didn't say) more than they helped it.

This is why:

Clemens kept saying that he didn't take steroids and McNamee never said "Yes, you did."

But like Barry Bonds, he's playing the public for idiots.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

This is why:

Clemens kept saying that he didn't take steroids and McNamee never said "Yes, you did."

But like Barry Bonds, he's playing the public for idiots.

McGwire got ripped off in the HOF voting...AGAIN...so will this be the fate of Clemens and Bonds?

...and for all of you not giving Clemens any slack...you guys wondered why he didn't get mad and sue...now he has...and...uhm...you still don't cut him slack...I think you all should have just said..."Lets stone him from the get go, and save the endless posts"...

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Now not everyone wanted him to sue. My view is that he didn't appear to even fight the accusations in the beginning. Law suits only allow lawyers to get richer.

My bet is that neither of these two guys will walk away as victors. McNamee is going to look like some sort of kid beaten up by the schoolyard bully and Rogo will be McGwire's twin brother because neither are perceived as telling the truth.

[legend]

Put a gun to my head and I will tell you Clemens is guilty.
If he would just come out and say "Hey I knew I wouldn't be Roger Clemens anymore if I didn't do steroids" then many would forgive him. But in this age of lawyers advice- that won't happen. I can understand why he did it, but he needs to tell his family that he did and then hope the public forgives him.