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 InnocentLast 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.
Caroline Pastre : 7/15/2008
Mr. Anderson, The director of this tournament asked us to emial local paper regarding this event. Thought you might could us it. Thanks for all the coverage you gave the girls at Stratford Softball team. They love and so do I. I have every article that has been in the paper in a scrapbook. Thanks, Denise Pastre Info Below: LOCAL SOFTBALL PLAYER SELECTED TO NATIONAL COLLEGE SHOWCASE The Event is Largest Fastpitch Showcase of its kind in North America Caroline Pastre from Stratford High School and SC Hurricanes 18U softball team has been selected to attend the 3rd Annual Queen of Diamonds Showcase South (the QDSS), at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina August 30th and 31st, 2008. The Queen of Diamonds Showcase is the largest college showcase for high school-age softball players, this year’s events drew nearly 2,500 applicants from 33 states and Canada. The Queen of Diamonds Showcase is designed to give players the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in front of college coaches who may be interested in recruiting them. This year’s Queen of Diamonds participants are mostly juniors and seniors, in addition, a group of younger promising players will have the opportunity to showcase their skills to college coaches alongside the older players who are eligible to be recruited. Players can attend position-specific skills sessions early Saturday, followed by tournament games throughout the weekend. QDSS Director Kirt Whiteside remarked, “the athlete that makes the QDSS cut is a very special player. College coaches from around the country have reviewed players and secured player profile information of athletes that have been selected to the QDSS or will attend this event in person to review these future collegiate stars. This event is like one stop shopping for those coaches looking to maximize their recruiting efforts. At the same time these athletes are being seen by a few hundred coaches from varying States increasing their odds for their chance to play collegiately. Where else in the world can you see 260+ players that have been selected from a group of outstanding athletes out of a pool of 2000+? These athlete are surely the cream of the crop!” For more information on the Queen of Diamonds Showcase Events, visit the event website at www.TheQSport.com For more information, contact Kirt Whiteside kwhiteside@whitesidemfg.com
Photos : 5/15/2008
Joe, please update your photos of soccer. I look everyday and never see them. Thanks.