Published Tuesday, February 19, 2008 8:49 AM
Updated Wednesday, February 20, 2008 10:22 AM

 

Cup o' Joe 2/20/08

Guilty until proven Innocent


Last week I watched as Roger Clemens, one of baseball’s most impressive and talented pitchers, was mauled by accusations of steroid abuse during his long career.

Congressmen Henry Waxman of California and Elijah Cummings of Maryland double-teamed Clemens early. Despite fan sympathy and the rather creepy demeanor of former trainer Brian McNamee, Clemens was forced to take it on the chin and was left almost speechless.

Since his name made the list of possible MLB players who used steroids, Clemens has crusaded to clear his name and prove his innocence.

This steroid scandal seems to have rocked the very core of what was once America’s favorite pastime. It has brought some of baseball’s biggest names into the controversy and put a dark cloud over the sport. Even congress has taken it upon itself to deal with the problem.

While watching Clemens try and defend himself I couldn’t help find the travesty in it all.

Doesn’t a man have to be proven guilty? Where is the proof? Where is the hard evidence of which we should damn this great ball player?

I can’t help but feel this entire ordeal is a travesty of justice. Give me a needle or a videotape of Clemens being injected with steroids. All there seems to be in this case is a few people saying Clemens did something that he shouldn’t have and for some reason we believe them over one of baseballs most talented athletes.

Even worse, is when Waxman and Cummings praised Andy Pettitte for admitting he took steroids and broke the rules. A grown man should not be complimented for simply telling the truth.

What I find even more entertaining and just plain sad is the fact that Major League Baseball couldn’t even deal with this problem on its own. They had to get congress involved.

Is congress that bored?

Did we all of a sudden solve the problems with health care, the war in Iraq or the rising gas prices in America? I’m going to have to say no. But I guess those problems are not as important as the problems in baseball.

I love baseball and believe if someone breaks the rules they should be punished. That being said, I feel it is just plain sad that congress can’t find something better to do with its time, and a man seems to be guilty until he can prove his innocence.