The spectacle of steroids in sports was at the forefront again this past week. While the issue centered on two individuals – Roger Clemens and his former trainer Brian McNamee – the real story should be about our society’s pre-determination of guilt.
At the end of the day it is safe to say we will never know the truth as to whether Clemens used steroids. All we do know is that one of these men is lying. We also know that Clemens is not the first, nor last big name athlete to use performance enhancing drugs. This should not only be disturbing to sports fans, but should also symbolize that athletes seem to not care about the repercussions, particularly as it relates to their personal achievements.
My prediction – not a rather bold one I agree – is that this past 20 years in baseball will be regarded as the Steroids Era. The consequence will be that guys like Bonds, Clemens and Canseco will simply be the poster boys for an era in which “everyone” used steroids and therefore nobody really got the proverbial edge. Thus, the records that they amassed will not be erased, but simply remembered as great achievements.
While Congress can appear to take interest in such a manner, the reality is they do not. Numerous congressmen and women commented on the obvious ridiculousness of this manner being put to them. But what does it say about what we, as the people, think about steroid use in baseball? I don’t think it says much. It is not a truth finding mission. Instead, it is an opportunity for us to get our beliefs confirmed. By grilling Clemens and McNamee on this issue and painting them all with different brushes (Republicans obviously supporting Clemens while Democrats siding with McNamee) we are able to decide for ourselves as to the individuals’ credibility.
But our decisions are already made. Regardless of future indictments for perjury or the coming forward of remarkable evidence, Clemens will always be remembered as the guy that denied steroid use. His reputation as the greatest pitcher in baseball will be footnoted by the fact that he used HGH. And people will remember McNamee as the man that brought Clemens down.
It leaves little doubt as to why Clemens would lie in this matter. He realizes that the minute his name was implicated in the Mitchell Report that he was screwed. He knew that if he came forward and admitted to steroid use (like his teammate and great friend Andy Petitte has honourably done) he would be viewed as a disgrace to the game. However he also realizes that other than McNamee’s word (and some shotty physical evidence that will hold no weight in a criminal trial that will never happen) there is no evidence that can confirm his use. Therefore, why not lie his way to his grave?
Clemens may be smarter than we all give him credit for. While he claims Petitte “misremembers”, there is no doubting that Clemens realizes no matter what happens in a formal court hearing or process, he will always be guilty in the court of public opinion.
