It is What it is--And it's Not Over

ESPN ran a poll after all the testimony and one of the questions asked, "who do you believe more, Roger Clemens or Brian McNamee." To be honest with you I don't believe either of them after today. Although I was working, I listened to the majority of the days events and when I missed things I referred to Jason Stark's live blog on ESPN. So what's in this post is for the most part, my own reaction to what happened today.

Let's start with McNamee. The big hit against him today was that he admitted to not telling the truth in the past. He lied to New York papers and to federal investigators. He stated that the number of times he reported to the Mitchell investigators of injecting Clemens was less than what actually happened. But on the flip side, McNamee's testimony to the Mitchell investigators on Pettitte and Knoblach matched what they had most recently given within the last week.

From Clemens' side Pettitte's affidavit of being told by Clemens that he used HGH and later in 2003 denying it was not good for him--especially since everyone beleives Pettitte the most. There was also contradictory testimony from Clemens in what he had just given in private just a few days earlier especially around conversations Clemens had with McNamee and HGH. Clemens' admitted he had a heated exchange with McNamee after he had injected Debbie Clemens with HGH in 2003 about the subject of HGH.

The day ended up being like a bizzare version of the movie National Treasure. Another clue lead to another clue which lead to another clue and there seemed to be no end in getting to the truth. With more accounts and evidence there are more questions and this is certainly not over. Do either Clemens or McNamee get a perjury charge? I think that's in the air, but if either Clemens or McNamee try to clear their names investigators and the media will continue to try uncover what actually happened. In other words, this is just getting started.

Some other points to note from what I heard:

• Clemens had a hard time speaking. I don't know what he looked like in person since I only listened, but he stumbled, made up words, and had a hard time at certain points in giving a clear fluid answer. At times he didn't answer the exact question asked or had trouble hearing the question at all. Very strange for a guy who wanted to speak the truth.

• There was this Canseco BBQ/Party in question involving a nanny of the Clemens' kids in 1998. McNamee testified that Clemens was there and talked to Canseco about steroids. Several major leaguers stated not seeing Clemens there. Canseco had an affedavit stating he and Clemens never talked about PEDs. Clemens denies being at the party, but leaves it open that maybe he stopped by to drop off his family. The party itself seemed to have little relevance, but the nanny did.

• Then there's this nanny who apparently was called on by the Congressional committee to give her account of Canseco's party. They called on Clemens' and his team to provide her contact info on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It was Sunday when they heard from her and she says Clemens was at Canseco's BBQ, but did not know about any steroid talk there. Worst of all, Clemens invited her over to talk on Sunday before providing her contact info. Although Clemens' lawyers accused the panel of it causing an innuendo against Clemens, it still was fishy.

• What does Clemens know about HGH and when did he know anything about it? There was the tale of Debbie Clemens getting HGH injections from McNamee in 2003 unbeknownst of Clemens until after the fact. He found out when his wife started having circulation problems. After this, he had a heated conversation with McNamee. This would count as Roger having a heated dialog about HGH with McNamee when he claims to never have had. Clemens pretty much admitted the heated exchange, but said he didn't know about HGH before 2003 and then added he has learned about HGH of late with these allegations. I couldn't follow his line of thought on this one.

• Mike Stanton, a former Yankee, claims to have seen Roger's butt bleeding. Stanton, admitting he took HGH to the Mitchell investigation, supposedly talked to Clemens about HGH use. Yet another teammate with a very different account.

• What color is HGH or B-12 or whatever was injected into Roger? This was a fairly silly exchange, but somewhat interesting for me since I have no idea what this stuff looks like.

• A panel member asked why Clemens continued to employ McNamee. Although Clemens claims to have treated McNamee like "family" he had "mistrust" for him, especially after injecting his wife without his knowledge. But while there was a "work stoppage" he brought him back. Clemens said he forgives people easily--so I guess the defamation lawsuit and Congressional hearing is part of that process?

• I have to wonder if McNamee has other client's syringes and bloddy gauze. Given his history as a cop, history of lying, and involvement with illegal substances in baseball, he just may, because the man seems to not trust himself or anyone around him.

On a final note, my impression is that more players may talk, Pettitte may be called on again to testify, and this is not going to go away. Bonds gave his testimony in 2003 on the BALCO case and is just now being charge with perjury--can we expect the same ahead?