Category: General

Roger Clemens, Andy Pettite, Drugs and Baseball

Unfortunately, I feel compelled to comment on today’s proceedings in DC. First, it’s a waste of time for highly paid government employees to be working on this case. Second, Clemens, Pettite, McNamee and others deserve the public shaming that they’re getting. Third, I almost wish that I didn’t know anything about the depth of steroid use in baseball.

It’s hard to decide whether Roger Clemens or Brian McNamee is a seedier character. They both seem untrustworthy. I didn’t watch the entire hearing today, but from what I did see Clemens seemed more evasive. McNamee seemed like he was more forthcoming in his answers. That’s just my gut reaction.

It’s difficult to imagine that Clemens’ wife, Andy Pettite, and Chuck Knoblauch all corroborate McNamee’s story and the lurid tales about injecting Roger Clemens are fabrications.

I’d like to think that members of Congress are exposing this public embarrassment for the purpose of educating kids that it’s wrong to take steroids. The reality is that it’s a great way for them to get their faces and names on public TV. That’s the sad motivation for us getting to see this tale of two liars play out in front of us.

The Best Free Agents Left on the Market

Yesterday Dayn Perry from FoxSports wrote a list of the top free agents left on the market. As you know, I’d like to see the Mets find out what kind of contract that Barry Bonds is looking for. If he wants one or two years at a reasonable price, there’s no reason that the Mets shouldn’t sign him.

You’ve probably heard that the Mets have been talking to Scott Boras about Kyle Lohse for quite some time. Apparently, his contract demands exceed his pitching skills by a wide margin. But Bartolo Colon might be worth a look as a fifth starter for a one year contract. He’s had way too many cheeseburgers and had a bad year last year. But there’s potential there as his Cy Young Award will attest to.

Right field is still unsettled in my mind

I find it hard to believe that the Mets will go into opening day with Ryan Church and Endy Chavez as the right field combination. Both players seem more like part time players to me. Carlos Gomez’ trade to the Twins frees up a roster spot in the outfield as well.

Ben Johnson was re-signed but he didn’t show much offensive ability last season. Trot Nixon, Reggie Sanders, and Preston Wilson are all still free agents. Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa haven’t retired yet either.

I think we need to bring one of these guys in to play right every day. Preston Wilson has the Mets roots but my choice would be Barry Bonds. I’d love to see him finish out his career with the Mets. As distasteful as his personality can be, he can still play.

Pedro Martinez and Animal Cruelty

Just what the Mets needed after introducing Johan Santana to the media. Pedro Martinez appears in a YouTube video attending a cockfight in the Dominican Republic. You can read the Newsday story here. Apparently, its legal and part of the Dominican culture. After the Michael Vick animal cruelty situation, the Mets really don’t need this negative attention. We’ll see how understanding the American public is of this “cultural” phenomenon.