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| Innocent until proven guilty? | 12.20.07 at 12:54 pm ET |
Ok I get that. We all get that and anyone that actually read the post will understand that I was not saying Roger used, I’ve never said that. My comment was that as a fan, as someone that he made a major impact on, given the circumstances surrounding his personal trainer and the testimony he gave. I want him to find a way to make me believe he didn’t use. He doesn’t have to, he could care less what I think. As I stated when I posted the piece, it was my opinion and mine only.
I can only go on the information at hand, and the article below is written by someone I vaguely know but who obviously knows the ‘rat’ so many people have no trouble calling out. How is his integrity and credibility any more or less relevant than anyone else’s involved here?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/15/AR2007121501111.html
This guy randomly threw two of the games best pitchers under the bus with no credibility? I am not giving more or less credibility to either side of this situation but as of today we have a guy who has a former player defending his credibility and integrity, and a current player admitting to the very thing this man testified to. The last part of this is the third person refuting any and all allegations.
In the court of public opinion our country is the exact opposite of innocent until proven guilty. That doesn’t make it right, but it does make it what it is. I am trying as hard as I can to rationalize the situation but I am wrestling with what I’ve heard, seen, and think with the reality of what’s out there.
What was your first thought when you saw OJ driving his Bronco down the freeway in a high speed chase?
You are right, it’s not on me to pass judgment, which I wasn’t, I was offering my opinion. This is my blog, I can do that. Please delete the link and stop searching for the site if you don’t care or hate me, it’s really that easy.
I stated it in the post, and some of you dopes still want to use that as a reason for the post itself. I am not even one ounce jealous of what Roger Clemens has achieved. Through this past week I’ve always been in awe of it. There isn’t a Clemens argument that’s been had in my presence that I was not 100% on his side of the table. Are you dumb enough or lacking other options to argue that you’d use that as a reason? I’ve been the 2nd man on the totem pole behind 3 of the best pitchers of my generation. Randy, Pedro and Josh.
I’m ok with that. I had my chance and my time. Those guys were, and are, better than me. That doesn’t pain me in any way to say, because it’s true. If you can’t get that I feel sorry for ya.
I am not preaching from a pulpit, I am talking from a vantage point of a player who understands the relationships that exist in this game between personal trainers and players, clubhouse guys and others. I am speaking from a vantage point of a player who has never in his life ingested HGH or steroids to enhance performance. I don’t cringe to admit to something that’s true and I have not done.
Anyone that’s looked at any of my past posts knows that I also have no issues admitting to being wrong or screwing up, it happens.
My post was my reaction to the Mitchell Report and my desire as a lifelong fan and pupil of Roger Clemens to have him clear his name. You can argue the innocent until proven guilty angle all day long, and legally you would be right, but like just about every single one of you I make opinions and judgments on people without seeing a court decision handed down.
Does Roger have to clear his name? Hell no he doesn’t. If he doesn’t care about the statements in the report and how they reflect on him then I don’t need to be the one to tell you he can do what he wants.
I want him to clear his name because I want to believe that everything he’s done has been because of the legendary work ethic and otherworldly skills he’s always possessed. I want him to clear his name because I selfishly want to be able to say the greatest pitcher of all time had a major influence on me on and off the field. His using PEDs, if it turns out to be the truth, will change my opinion of what he’s done and how he’s done it.
As far as taking back awards, I look at that in a simple fashion. We either move on, totally, and say that every number put up through the 2007 should be respected and held as a completely true reflection of the game, or you can piece meal who and what you think did what, when, and try and assess which are and are not real numbers. Or, you could say that any player caught cheating or admitting to it should have any statistics erased, any awards won rescinded from that period forward unless they can prove they were not using PED’s after they were caught. Their numbers would just go away. Would it create some weirdness? Sure it would. But going forward you would offer up that any player caught would be subject to mandatory testing from blood to urine if they wanted to have their achievements logged as real and be eligible for the hall of fame.
Take away all personal awards won by players caught cheating or that have admitted to use, one time. Re-gift all the personal awards (such as Canseco’s 88 MVP) to the runners up, and be done with it. Going forward you test as best as you possibly can within the confines of the CBA with players understanding a failure means not being eligible for awards or hall of fame consideration unless they can prove they are clean every month for the rest of their careers.
At the end of the day are you truly concerned you might offend someone that cheated?
December 20th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
I agree with you Curt and I’ve always been a Red Sox nut for well over 50 years. My only comment is that maybe you should have waited to say anything abut the Clemens drug thing.
God Bless you abnd yours and get in shape for next season -
December 20th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
You cheat, you should pay the consequences, bottom line. I too hope that Roger can clear his name but for some reason I don’t see it happening. It has to be difficult to prove something wrong from the past, its a he says she says type of deal. It will take a lot to clear such allegations but if he can do it, more power to him. If he did in fact cheat, he should man up and admit to his wrong doings.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Curt,
Your a great pitcher with quite an ego. I’m not trying to be critical or anything but maybe some of our baseball greats just need to approach the whole mitchell report with a grain assault. You always seem to have something to say, even if it has nothing to do with you. I am a huge fan and would be an even bigger fan if you just kept your mouth shut. No offense but it’s really given you a reputation of being very ignorant. I know how you feel but just please shut up!
December 20th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
NO DOUBT C SCHILLING IS NOTHING BUT JEALOUS OF ROGER CLEMENS.
HE COULD NEVER BE HALF THE PITHCHER/PLAYER THAT ROGER CLEMENS IS, WITH OR WITHOUT CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES!!!!!!! WHEN WILL HE EVER WIN A CY YOUNG AWARD? NEVER — BECAUSE HE IS THE MOST OVERRATED PITCHER IN THE MLB. GIVE IT UP C SCHILLING, RETIRE AND GO HOME WITH YOUR BUDDY GEORGE W, YOU’LL BE IN GOOD COMPANY SINCE YOU BOTH PUBLICLY SPEAK LIKE 5TH GRADERS.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
To me Curt and John Smoltz are prime examples of hard throwers who have that natural gift of being able to pitch into their later years…the players who enhanced their game by compromising their health and by breaking laws should be taken from the books…
I believe asking Roger to come clean about these allegations and prove that he is not a liar, cheat, and criminal is completely appropriate. Especially if you care an ounce about the guy.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
I’m a longtime Phils fan. Always admired Curt. However, his actions at the 03/05 Congressional Hearing were really bad. Treated Canseco as a liar while sitting next to 3 players who were cheaters. Said he didn’t know or hear about any players taking/using performance enhancing drugs. This is ridiculous. Was he asleep? I thought he was a hypocrite then and he really owes Canseco a deep apology. If it wasn’t for him (and his book) this whole sordid mess might never had come to light. Shame Curt!
December 20th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Hey Curt, just wanted to pint out that you weren’t, and are no longer #2 on the totem pole last season. I’d put you #3 at best. Now go eat some pizza and think of what garbage you can dream up next to attract attention to your fading star. Maybe another bloody sock??
December 20th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
I was truely impressed. I am a devoted twins fan from Minnesota. (although not happy with them currently) But you, Kruck, Dykstra, that’s what got me into baseball. Alas, I quit at age 30, (2 years ago) softball and coaching jr high ball is my involvement.
I thought this would be nothing more than a rant on your part, but to my surprise (and delight) this was excellent.
I am in the camp that our media villifies people way to soon, innocient until PROVEN guilty, not assumed guilty, but you had a lot of maerial to back up your opinion. I can honestly say I AGREE with you.
This was well thought out, full of material to back up your opinion, and written by someone who has first hand knowledge.
You cemented you spot as my all-time favorite pitcher!! (#2 is Frankie Viola, not a shock from a twins fan who grew up in the 80’s and 90’s.)
Thank you for your contribution to the greatest sport I ever played!
SAMSON
December 20th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
I used to think that Roger Clemens was a class act. No longer. why? Simple; he had to get his attorney (and no doubt a PR mouthpiece) to approve his statement before he issued that statement THREE DAYS after Clemens was named.
Amazing.
Did you use steroids? *^%# No! You jacka%% motherf&*_@*#.
That’s how you respond IF YOU ARE INNONCENT.
Hey Roger, you should take a look at the clip of Jim Everett on Jim Rome’s show. This is how you respond: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57W05-oopNA . You don’t wait till you get approval from your Mommy.
90’s ball players = juiced cheaters. Period.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
What a pompous, self-centered jerk you are. If the Mitchell Report is 10% accurate, PED’s were prevelent in MLB for years. Funny how you never got outraged until Mitchell put the spotlight on the issue. I can’t find any stories about you putting the finger on anyone. Do you suppose that maybe YOU benefitted from your teammates’ illegal usage even IF you’re clean? Maybe some teammates used PED’s and helped your teams win a few games? That would equate to $$$ to you, would it not? I’m certain that what was injected into your ankle before those WS games wasn’t B-12. Didn’t THAT help YOU get back on the field and help your team? I used to be a big fan of yours. Listening to you talk a great game while having DONE nothing over the years about this problem makes you look pretty bad….Curt. Your credibility is zero. Give us some names that aren’t in the report if you’re serious about combatting this issue.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
So, let me understand this…
If someone accused you of using performance enhancing drugs, you would consider it your responsibility to your fans and the league to clear your name.
The report has no definitive proof of Mr. Clemens’ use, just an allegation (testimony) from someone who CLAIMS that he knows that he did.
I’d be interested to hear what you would do in Mr. Clemens’ situation, and more importantly exactly HOW you think you could clear yourself of such allegations.
Easy to take the “high road” when you’re not the one in the spotlight.
By the way, how do we KNOW that you (or anyone) never took such substances? How would one prove that, sir.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Well I, for one, like to see a professional athlete who is intelligent, articulate, and opinionated. Besides, you gave me a 2004 World Championship…
December 20th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
You’re absolutely right, Curt. Clemens has the financial resources to clear his name if he is, indeed, innocent. There’s nothing standing in the way of that, and he needs to do it if he wants to change the minds of the 75 percent of sports fans who voted on espn.com yesterday that they don’t believe him. I wish the allegations weren’t true and I hope they’re not. But unless he takes the necessary steps to prove it, there are enough dots to connect to allow a reasonable person to think he’s guilty.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
By asking Clemens to relinquish his Cy Youngs opens a whole can of worms. In principle, I agree with you. However, if you expect that, where does it end? We all know that there are many more players that have used performance enhancing drugs, that are not on the Mitchell report. Canseco and Caminiti both thought it was over 50%. So Curt, are you ready to relinquish your World Series rings if it is determined that players on those teams were using? Again, where would it end?
I think Bob Costas has it right. No asteriks, no banning from the Hall of Fame. Simply put a disclaimer in regarding the Steroid Era, and let the fans draw their own conclusions.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Curt, while we are at it, maybe we need to go back and take away wins from all the teams that beat Roger since 1997 and see how that effects the standings, and re-play any playoffs if necessary. Oh and lets recompute everyones average that either had hits or no hits off of him also, and lets not forget to take away all the HR’s from those that had them.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
I’ll agree that no one should have to refute hearsay with more than a “he’s a liar and I didn’t do it”. But there are some serious alligations here. People read the blog before you comment, your ignorance just makes things worse!
SAMSON
December 20th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
You know what you lost your ability to comment on the Mitchell report when you decided in front of Congress that you had nothing to say. You had a whole lot to say about it before congress and than nothing right.
That is your life story isn’t it? You blab your mouth on the radio and on this blog, but not on TV or when you are live and in person. You are a coward. Before you pass judgement on someone else be a man yourself.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
I mean Pettite took HGH through an injury… there wasn’t much of a difference in Clemens frame… he may have done the same thing… I mean as far as the rewards are concerned Baseball has so much controversy let alone this one it’s kind of hard to go that far back to a guy who is quite content with being retired and congradulating him on accomplishments 20 years ago… besides.. how do you not know that the runner up wasn’t taking steroids? I mean, wasn’t everybody doing it?
December 20th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Hey Curt, the cadaver that you used for your ankle came from a Steriod user!! haha cuckoo!!
December 20th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Well done.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
calio4life wrote…
“just need to approach the whole mitchell report with a grain assault.”
That’s officially my favorite new expression.
From now on, I’m going to take everything with a grain assault.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
HA..calio4life…before you call someone ignorant, you need to improve your cliche usage. Its GRAIN of SALT, not assualt, kiddo. Curt’s right, clear your name, or accept your view of guilt in the public realm. Very simple.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
If Clemens was an innocent man, he would have held a news conference immidiately after the Mitchell Report to claim his innocence. Unfortunately for him, he can’t do that because the loser is guilty of using some type of performance enhancer and he knows it. His records are tarnished for life now.
TB
December 20th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Curt:
Who made you judge and jury of everyone. You did the same thing with Barry Bonds and although I am not a fan of his, again, who deemed you the “voice” of baseball. Here is a hint, why don’t you continue working on your game, get rid of the pregnant looking beer gut you have and shut your face. You are just another ego that needs to be deflated-like your fat gut.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Google: “drudge report mccain” for info about an interesting article that is to be published soon by the New York Times on Senator Mccain…
December 20th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
You know Curt, those stats of yours sure started to get a lot better around 1998. Just a curious fact, but if you name was in the mitchell report, people would say the same thing about you. Good luck defending hearsay.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Wow, as a lifetime (38) Sox fan I can tell you that my friends and I truly idolized Roger Clemens back in the 80’s and were heartbroken when he left for Toronto. I can remember playing the old Nintendo baseball game of the 86″ Sox team and how Roger was virtually unhittable in that game. Despite all that love I had for the guy if he did cheat than I agree wholeheartedly that it ’s time to return the Cy Youngs he won during that time. I cannot for the life of me think that George Mitchell would risk so much by putting Roger in the report if he wasn’t completely convinced of his guilt. I have to say though that by looking back at how Clemen’s body had changed since joining New York it does defy expanation. I would love to think he’s innocent Curt but I sadly think all the talk he did a few days ago were just him feeling trapped in a corner. I’m afraid we will never get to the bottom of it in his case and thus he will keep his awards and records but I will never think of him the same way again. Dave B.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Mr. Schilling:
I have long followed your career and appreciate the honesty by which you have played the game. You calling out your fellow players for what they may have done is brave and 100% on target. For those who took the time to read the Mitchell Report, I believe the evidence to be strong. While the evidence against Clemens is the weakest in the report, if innocent, then why not prove it? Public figures have a more difficult life then others, and as the steroid era has cast a dark shadow on baseball, I believe one of the greatest pitchers ever should step forward and separate fact from fiction.
While I’m a die-hard White Sox fan, I’m not ignorant to think this problem is limited to those named in the report. I wrote an article on the Mitchell report and I’d be honored if you would read it. From one fan who wants to see the game clean to another.
I applaud you again. Thanks for making the most of your talent.
The Soxman
December 20th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Curt, Thanks for taking the right stand. You cheat, you pay. You play a hard honest game and you get paid plenty. It’s nothing but a case of greed and stupidity. If the commisioner of baseball can’t see this thing through to start a “Drug Free” major league, then he should be replaced. There are way to many good young players that want to play baseball because they love the game. Every one of them would give their right arm to be given chance that all of these cheaters have gotten.
Please visit http://www.shermfeller.com. Help put the origional voice of Fenway Park in The Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Gary Titus
December 20th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Curt, how do you prove that you didn’t do something. You have it backwards. How on earth can Clemens show you he did not do something? By not having track marks on his ars? By not being awesome? I mean, really, tell me how he can prove a negative?
I ask you, if one of your team mates ends up exposed are you going to give the World Series Trophy back? Do you really think The Red Sox are exempt from this issue? I understand Mr. Mitchell is on the B.O.D. of the Sox. Interesting that 20 plus “Yankees” (including many who played there for a portion of a season) are on the list but only anti sox ex sox like Mo Vaughn ended up on this list. What? No Nomar?
I think Mitchell has a conflict of interest here that somehow makes the Sox look innocent?
Wait til J.D. ends up on a list. He’s a Yankee now so maybe they’ll just say he’s another Yankee on the list. But if he’s on the list I want you to prove he didn’t do it or give your Rings back.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Curt, I was a college pitcher in the 70’s and know that the entire sport is full of instances where cheating in expected. With regard to the awards, would someone of your stature recommend that Gaylord Perry be removed from the Hall for his performance enhancing acts that are well proven? All one has to do is qualify the awards and let people decide for themselves.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Curt, I wanted to write you and thank you for finally speaking out on this ugly problem that baseball now has to deal with. I am a father of three boys. My oldest is a Junior in high school and plays baseball on his varsity team. He is also a PITCHER. I am a Christian as well as my wife and sons. I tell you this to give you some background. My sons plays baseball by the motto he writes in all of his baseball hats and that is “IN JESUS NAME I PLAY.” I am angry at the recent revelations in the Mitchell report. I am angry at the Commissioners office, the Players Association, and ALL players that were and are dirty. I watched the congressional hearings and listened to you be the advocate for baseball to police itself and clean up itself. WELL????? What now? Palmero did all of us fathers a Hugh injustice to say what he did before congress and then test positive. But ROGER has hurt me more than even Barry Bonds which I am upset with as well. Maybe its because my son pitches and looks to you and Roger as role models and would love to some day follow in your footsteps. I tell him that it can be done the clean and right way. He says “Dad, if it takes Roger to use to make it how can I ever dream of making it if I stay clean.” You, Roger, and all the others will never know to what extent you impact young players at the high school level. PLEASE!!!! keep the game clean. If not for my kids do it for the future generations. Lastly, BASEBALL now has to address this in a big way and do what ever is necessary to rid itself of this plague. Stop hiding your head in the sand and hoping that the fans will let this blow over. I WON’T. There is too much at stake. WE know personally of a college catcher in the minor leagues that was suspended for one year when he tested positive for steroids. I believe that ALL players found to be dirty need to be held accountable. Yes, I am a fan of many players, but this is bigger than being a fan. I am a big fan of Roger, but I believe discipline is necessary for him too. Paul Byrd should be disciplined and suspended. I am his fan too. Andy Petite as well, and any player that is dirty. I know I picked on pitchers, maybe its because my son is one too. PPPLLLEEEAAASSSEEE MLB clean up your mess for our kids, the future of the sport, and if not for that then do it …. FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME!!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Dear Curt-
How does it feel to know everything? Can you tell me what I am going to get for Christmas and how many kids I will have?
Happy Holidays and thanks for all the insight!
December 20th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
I have a hard time condemning someone based on hearsay. I know that two others have stepped up and stated that this trainer supplied them or injected them. But I am one person who would like to see blood or urine samples of the players that have been accused that have failed the test for banned substances.
I respect your opinion. When it comes to baseball or other matters you seem to do your home work on the subject. Steroids is a big issue in all sports. But some times you have to step back a listen and see who is doing this for the better good and who are talking just to hear themselves talk.
I do have a question for you on another subject relating to cheating. What are your views on Floyd Landis? Reason I am asking is, he supposedly tested positive for high testosterone levels after one stage of the Tour de France. Yet no one has been able to answer me what his test were prior to that stage and the one right after that stage. Maybe you are in the position to find out more details then we are.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
When you are the top sometimes a different (albeit at times, unfair) set of rules applies. If I was Roger Clemens and someone slandered me in the press, I would defend it. And if someone questioned my pitching prowess by suggesting I took steroids, you bet I’d defend it.
What I find laughable about MLB is how out of hand the steroids issue has become. Take Track & Field for example and if you are caught ONE TIME (uh, Marion Jones), you can be banned for life, stripped of all medals and removed from the record books. And track athletes don’t have the millions at stake that baseball players do. In fact, most Americans think Track & Field only has relevance once every 4 years but don’t get me started on that topic.
MLB needs a shake-up, the players union needs to truly start acting in the best interest of the players health (remember Lyle Alzado?) and get firm on PEDs and the fans need to quit supporting guys who cheat.
Have you ever looked @ a Barry Bonds or Sammy Sosa rookie card and compare that to pictures of them in their mid-30s? Sorry folks, but bodies just don’t change that much at that age.
To Curt, it is your blog and you have your right to your opinion. I am for it and for for people debating the issue. The cage needs to get rattled so that all the cheaters can get identified, their records erased and each can receive a one-way ticket out of the league: forever.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Curt what makes you better than Roger ,As a pitcher you couldn’t be a pimple on rogers ass. how many strike out have you had, how many shutouts have you had. And bottom line as a pitcher you suck.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
I’m just wondering what calio4life means by “a grain assault” and on a second note, I think CS has every right to voice his opinions and maybe he’s shaking Clemens down the way Clemens did him when he was younger. —-maybe “a grain of salt”?
December 20th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Curt Shilling…
Your constant outspoken behavior is obnoxious and I for one can not stand it! Everyone in the major leagues has been experimenting and using performance enhancing drugs over the past 15 years. There is no doubt in my mind that you too have dabbled over the years. For you to call out Roger Clemens is absolute blasphemy. Despite his HGH use you were never half the pitcher Roger was and your name will never be mentioned in the same sentence as his. I can not stand your repeated ignorant comments about everything and anything. Since when did anyone ask you to analyze current political and social situations? Since when did you feel you were qualified to discuss serious matters? You are a right-wing, brain-dead idiot who probably composes the 18% of Americans who still approve the President.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
I agree with Curt, why has there not been any fighting back from these players?? Makes you wonder, especially since we live is a society where people sue one another as easy as drinking a cup of java in the morning …
If I was innocent, and my career was being attacked, I would stand up for myself, not just roll over. And as a fan, I would want my hero’s to clear their names, not just walk away … To me, and my opinoin only, you owe it to the fans, but more importantly, the game and all the players that have played it “straight” … It may not be the easiest thing to do, but at least make an effort, and by effort I mean more then just a statement via your attorney.
That is my take, thanks Curt for not being a clone, and having a take, and not afraid to let it be known. We don’t have to agree with it, or even like it, but at least you had some courage to put it out there …
December 20th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
The Mitchell report is a disgrace. There was no need to name names…it was an obvious attempt to try players in the court of public opinion. Where are the canceled checks, empty syringes, witnesses in the Clemens case? How will he have his day in court? I’m not saying he didn’t do what he’s accused of doing, I’m saying it hasn’t been proven.
I noted, Curt, that you got pretty hot when it was “suggested” that the bloody sock was all a sham. You see how it works? Did anyone suggest you return your World Series ring? Seems that you could give a fellow player the benefit of the doubt.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Mr. Schilling,
You yourself are one of the greatest pitchers of what will become known as the “Steroid Era”. Definitely a dark age for the sport of baseball… Why are you so boisterous about singling out players accused of using performance enhancing drugs? The key word being accused. Do you mean to tell me that in the 2004 ALCS, you were able to pitch on your surgically repaired ankle without the use of a performance enhancing drug? Performance enhancing has a broad spectrum. If you took a legal prescribed cortisone shot or pain killer that will still be considered a performance enhancing drug, because it enhanced your performance. Are you sure that every player from that championship team was clean? David Ortiz was nowhere near as big, or as good a hitter when he was with the Twins.
Mr. Schilling do every one a favor and wait until everything pans out to start throwing stones… You and Roger Clemens, along with every other major leaguer share a bond not everyone get’s to experience. It’s easy to point the finger.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
whats in the past is done, some did it and got away with it, some who didnt do it will get blamed and is that enough to strip, if it is it will just be a witch hunt. Stop looking behind you and focus on what in basballs future, live and learn.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Happy Holidays Curt!
How do I begin this? First off, I am a HUGE Red Sox fan and have been for most of my life. I truly appreciate all of your accomplishments and the various charities that you and Shonda have devoted yourself to. I have also learned that you are a passionate and caring individual and a true competitor, both on and off the field. I am somewhat disappointed in the way that you jump on issues, whether they may be about an opponent or the steroid issue, and later ‘modify’ your comments.
Now please understand this, I am in total agreement withyou that ‘cheaters’ should be punishe to the full extent of the ‘law’ and/or MLB’s rules and regs… Having said all that, I was once a HUGE Roger Clemens fan, but that respect waned, when he decided that he wanted to play closer-to-home, but took a detour to Toronto. Now I do appreciate that his hand was somewhat forced by the ‘former’ GM (can’t bring myself to utter his name) and I can accept that, but when he went to the enemy (Yankees), that was it for me and Roger…
Despite my feelings, as a Red Sox fan, for Roger, I STILL feel that he is due his ‘course’ and as someone clearly stated, “he is innocent until proven guilty”… I have my own feelings about whether he ‘juiced’ or not, all one has to do is to look at his photos (a-la Barry Bonds) and see that he’s no longer the ’spindly’ young man who used to pitch for the Sox… Again, having said all that, WHY do you always seem to put yourself in a position of contoversy??? Come on now, you’ve had a very successful and fulfilling career, you have a lovely wife and family, you have devoted your time to charity work, why not just go out with ‘class’ and wait until all of the facts are in, before you jump on the bandwagon of Roger bashers!
Happy Holidays,
Sonny913
December 20th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Wow, C Schilling looks like you’ve set some people off. Thats what happens when people want to believe what they want to believe and won’t allow you to have a thought. It’s cool for these clowns to believe he didn’t, but you’re jealous and cruel because you do. And I haven’t read where you said you do, just that if you didn’t do it. Prove it, show me some life Roger, she me you’re the man we all thought you were. Stand up and be accounted for. It’s it strange that some players that don’t have anything to lose would stand and face the music. Even Barry Bonds had a reply. And calling C Schilling arrogant, and Roger isn’t. You people have blinders on. Roger Clemens is the most arrogant person I’ve ever seen. I have no need to hate either way, I’m an Astro fan, but love the game of baseball, basketball and football. When with what God gave ya! If you can’t, put the cleaks up and call it a career. Preach on C Schilling, preach on!
December 20th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
In order to have better linking, you should try using the following Curt.
a href=”http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/15/AR2007121501111.html”>C.J. Nitkowski Comments is what the link that you click on says.
Just put a at the ending a and it’ll work.
C.J. Nitkowski Comments
December 20th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Let me first say that I was totally shocked to hear Clemens name mentioned. But then I thought, who was really mentioning it. Just some guy I had never heard of. Clemens on the other hand I have followed since the mid 80’s. In my own personal view, Clemens has never done anything to make me question his baseball integrity. So if he says he never done it, I believe him. Let me leave you with thie quote.
“Baseball is something more than a game to an american boy. It is his training field for life work. Destroy his faith in its squareness and honesty and you have destroyed something more, you have planted suspicion of all things in his heart.” - Kenesaw Mountain Landis.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Mr. Schilling,
First I want to thank you for even taking the time to respond. I also, found the words chosen by some here regarding you to be harsh, not that you can’t handle it, but never the less, I find most to be innapropriate. While, I still strongly disagree with you, regarding your “fan” angle. I a former die hard sox fan, have been turned off by the whole Sox Nation. Roger was the Sox while he pitched there, and I will not convict him of anything, unless a court of law does so. I also, don’t like all the conclusions being drawn by people. I also think all of you (professional ballplayers) should be backing your brothers, unless you think your in a position to throw stones. Remember, it could easily be you, you said it, you personally know and have played with some of these guys accused. So, do really know what you would do beyond making a statement denouncing the accusations ? I mean, really ? Who are we to decide how a person should react to anything ? Finally, as I stated, I have been a Clemens fan, for 24 years, and I know Roger is not a big fan of making anything public, good or bad. So, I think he has done enough to clear his name.
Thanks,
Dave
December 20th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Curt, this is nothing more than something to think about. I play baseball, though not professional. I am a pitcher and an outfielder. I know how challenging the game of baseball is, and that you must have a mastery of multiple skills in order to compete at the professional level.
My thinking has always been that steroids increase muscle strength and resistance, but not absolute overall performance. You as a baseball player with years of superior talent can answer this question: “Can you take any WWE wrestler with no pitching experience, put him on the mound, and expect him to win two World Series rings and rack up 216 wins, 3116 strikeouts, a 3.46 lifetime ERA, and 83 career complete games?” I think not. You must have baseball talent, or else steroids and performance-enhacing substances will do nothing.
I urge you in the strongest possible terms to not criticize other great players for use of steroids. I believe that you are a role-model, and a good and decent man.
I’d be interested in hearing your earnest response to my reply here. Thank you.
Steve.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Curt,
For a man that professes to be involved in politics, the players union, and the court of public opinion, you sure change your colors quickly.
Innocent until proven guilty is part of the foundation that makes our judicial system and country great. That premise helps to protect the very innocent people that egoticstical, big-mouthed, punks like you choose to slander and judge publicly.
Everytime you open your mouth it just further clairifies what drives you. Your selfish need to be “heard” and your need to be right. Look very carefully at yourself and you will see more of you than others in yourself.
You like all of this players, you play with them, you admire them, and you respect them. Now these very same people are the worst thing to happen to baseball? You can’t have it both ways.
Instead of pointing the finger and make accusations, why don’t you assit in coming up with a solution. I am willing to bet, somewhere along way, you have taken a supplement that is now banned.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Curt,
I like the way you’ve addressed the issue this past week. You’ve given a perspective that few players are willing, or even have enough information, to share.
As far as striking records and statistics, how far does it reach? Do you have to adjust the ERA of every pitcher who faced a confirmed Steroid user? Do you adjust the AVG and OBP/SLG of every player who faced a pitcher that confessed to using? Does every at-bat that Manny has against Juan Rincon just vanish into thin air?
If anything, the statistics should be upheld to emphasize the skill that some players possess to ascend the contaminated atmosphere and succeed due to true determination and commitment… WITHOUT the need for any banned supplement or PED.
As far as awards go, I agree with some previous comments that you can’t count on the runner-ups to be clean, either. You just have to accept it as a dark time for baseball’s integrity and a brilliant time for baseball’s popularity.
Although, that’s just one man’s opinion, take it or leave it.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
hey Curt,
Although I respect your work with ALS and the fact that you say what you believe about steroids and PEDs, there is a time to just be quiet. I am a long time phillies fan and will never forget the towel over head incendent when Mitch Williams was on the mound. What a total lack of respect. You are not and never have been a graet pitcher. crying to management to get you help on the mound. you were the Ace on a bad rotation but at best a #2 anywhere else. On a positve note, go to Washington D.C. and lobby for better control of cheating in sports. I think you would be good at that. Or atleast take Seligs job and clean baseball up.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
First of all anyone who didn’t know that these drugs were being used is an idiot. Second, Believe me when I tell you STEROIDS SAVED BASEBALL. Our good buddy Bud Selig could not stop a work stoppage and when that was finally resolved, he turned a blind eye to steroids because the Mcguire and Sosa homerun race was putting baseball back in the headlines. You can blem the guys who were doing it, but this all happened under Seligs watch and believe me he knew it. And with you Curt being a player during this era, I am sure that you knew of guys who were on your team and were taking performance enhancing drugs. Did you ever A. call them out on it or B. turn them in to the Commisoners Office? If I had to bet money you turn a blind eye too. So if it ever comes out that a guy you played with took steroids are you going to give up the victories you got while he was on the field with him and take Wins off your career stats?
December 20th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Curt,
I wanted to offer my opinion regarding being a number 2 starter. You said that you accepted being #2 behind Randy, & Pedro, which I can agree with, but Josh? C’mon? From watching your performance of the second half of the season, especially in the playoffs after you were well rested from fatigue or whatever injury you had I believe that when the game is on the line you are still truly dominant and masterful on the mound. Don’t sell yourself short, I can believe that a 162 game season might be too long for someone of your age too pitch at such a high level consistently but when well rested you still pitch at the same level as Josh if not better, and it showed in the playoffs. I have seen more consistency in your years than I have with Josh which counts alot in my book. Good luck with the 2008 season.
Matt
December 20th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
after hearing of a Curt Schilling blog I have done my best to avoid helping to give him the attention he craves. But after reading his statements on Clemens its obvious how he really feels. There is no doubt that Schilling had his time, and I emphasize HAD his time. He WAS a solid pitcher, you have to look no farther than the ‘01 world series. While his skills have faded, his need for attention has only grown stronger. He can’t just sit back and watch as possibly the greatest pitcher in history is going down. He needs to throw his insecurities in the mix. He was never the pitcher Clemens was and never will be. I have always looked at Schilling as a poor man’s Rocket.
Maybe curt should sit back and wait to see if these “ALLEGATIONS” against Clemens are true before he indicts a man. I feel that he was truly excited to hear that Clemens was on the Mitchell Report. It gave him more motivation to try and prove he is not the most overrated pitcher of his time. So Curt, don’t jump the gun on these allegations against Clemens and stop trying to prove your just as good as the Rocket. I suggest you sit back, enjoy the holidays, curl up with your bloody sock, and keep your mouth shut.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Curt why don’t you keep your mouth shut for once.. we all admit that your are great pitcher but if your mouth did the same thing we would admire you even more. Let Clemens do whatever he wants and defend himself as much as he wants, your job is to get ready for next summer when A-Rod keeps abusing your butt on Home Runs. Give up man you lied by using tomato juice on your sock, everyone else talked about it but no one from the Yankees said a word about you… they admitted you beat them.. and thats the bottom line ..
December 20th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
I think the Babe himself was totally wasted with alcohal on many occasions when he was hitting his records. And he was medicated for his recovery after so he was enhancing everything about himself. A guy hit 60 HRS when everyone else is hitting 20. And so it goes, all records are meaningless.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Curt your a moron,just like u said in 2002 that half are either using or thinking about it, so which one are u curt? I’d put money on it that youve used and just cause uve never got caught or tested positive doesnt mean your innocent. You get payed millions of dollars to throw a ball thats it, your not a lawyer, your not the commisoner of baseball. I think you hould just keep your mouth shut.
Signed a U.S. Marine, the guy who lets you talk out your ass
December 20th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Curt.
I must say I’ve disliked you for a long time, I’m a Cardinal fan, so for every ounce of grit, determination, desire you pushed to get through that 2006 postseason and world series was a dagger in my heart. Much the same when Arizona barely nodded us in the playoffs with you and Randy. Still however, for you, that should be a tribute to what you did. We dislike Beltran too, mostly because he beat us into the ground nearly everytime he stepped in a batters box until Wainright finally broke his knees in 2006 with that curveball.
I have recently stepped off this platform with your comments regarding Roger. Regardless of which team you played for, a lot of major leaguers are trying to pass this off as simply a couple of guys trying to avoid jail time. It’s not a couple of guys. Grimsley said the same junk when he was busted, Canseco as well. Since sterroids became a focus point, time and time again, people have fingered Clemens. Each time his response has been, “that’s not true”. That may fly when someone is pointing fingers because he’s bitter to be out of the game, or when someone seems to be deflecting punishment because he was just caught…. All of them though, how naive should a fan be asked to be to ignore 4 different accounts of a guy that are all in line with one another?
In either event, I must assume as a pitcher/player who’s played at such a great level for so long and done it cleanly (and I am assuming your clean or you wouldn’t be taking such a stand about this) it must really get under your skin that not only are these guys winning awards, taking roster spots, setting the bar higher, etc etc…. It also leads the normal fan who’s not a ballplayer to wonder if anyone in the entire sport is actually willing to be the hero who can play without the needles…..
Good luck to you and your career Curt, thanks for taking a stand on this. I’m sure 1 million people could line up and ask Roger for an answer and get nothing…. If people like you will stand up and ask for answers, maybe we’ll actually get some.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
I find it extremely interesting that Clemens or anyone else in Curt Schillings eyes has to prove their innocence. What about someone proving Clemens’ guilt. We are asked to take the word of a person who was threatened with jail over a guy who played for 25 years. Clemens may be guilty but my god Mr. Schilling I would hope baseball has more proof that McNamee’s word. Is there a paper trail? If not, how can we try and convict Clemens on somebody’s word. Does anyone else find it a little interesting that McNamee remembers every date in detail of when he injected Clemens? Is he lying? Otherwise I don’t understand why he kept such detailed records. And, Curt explain to me how Clemens can clear his name. Other than saying he didn’t do it, what can he do? Must he show his butt has no needle marks? I just don’t know how anyone can accomplish this, can you enlighten me Curt? Also, if the Mitchell report is the bible, where is Mark McGwire’s name? How about Sammy Sosa and Brady Anderson? David Ortiz should have gotten some scrutiny and you yourself Curt should have been looked at. Geez you’re still pitching at a high level at an advancing age. That would seem to raise some eyebrows, I would think. I firmly believe at least 80% of the players are involved in this yet we only singled out a few. I personally know of a player now in the majors, who while in the minors a few years ago, said I can’t wait to get on the 40 man roster so I can go on the juice like everybody else. The minors were the only ones testing at that time. The Mitchell report is what it is, some truth but a lot of innuendo. Curt, I would think you would be a lot better off staying out of the light of this since nobody knows where it could lead.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Curt, I find it very intriguing that you think you step up to the plate by calling Clemens out. It was along the same lines that you did this with Bonds, but apologized the next day, althought the apology was not really carried by the papers. Are you going to apologize tomorrow for this?
If you really want to step to the plate, why don’t you have a lie-detector test taken. Make it a public statement ! Pass the lie detector test, then push for the rest of baseball to do so.
Until you do something along those lines, i think you should sit back and keep your opinions to yourself. I am one who would be shocked if you were found to be clean, or if your World Series victories are without some players who were enhanced. So before you throw any more stones, take care of your own house.
Also, i want to know if you are willing to give back your World Series rings if players that were on your team are found to be enhanced? C.mon Curt, step to the plate !
cheers
B
December 20th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Mr. Shilling,
You are entitled to your opinion. With that being said, I find it ironic how critical you are of the athlets of color in major league baseball with no concrete evidence of wrong doing, prior to your press release apologies, than you are of white athlets. We can just go through your blogs, the proof is in the pudding.
In the Mitchell report it stated that all 32 major league baseball teams failed to report and or had an involvement with the use of performance enhancing drugs. I just want you to say that you had no first hand knowledge of the use of performance enhancing drugs by your peers in the numerous years you have been a pro, then and only then do should any current major leaguer can be critical of another major leaguer.
Which is worse, the person who breaks the law and goes un-punished because no one will assist the prosecuter. Or the one who saw the indivdual break the law and does nothing. Looks like they are pretty much the same to me, but hey thats just my opinion.
Signed,
Fan of All Sports
P.S. If you won 2 world championships with the opponents cheating, doesn’t that make you feel good, to know that you are better than them on the PED? That would make me feel great, but hey thats just my opinion.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
I think Bud Selig should run for some sort of political office or open a magic show. He is a champion manipulator. The players are taking all the hits for this, when he should be the one swinging. It was his responsiblity to deal with this in the late 90’s and he didn’t. So now he is throwing everyone else under the bus. He is tricker than Kris Angel The Mindfreak. He will continue to go after player after player to keep the posse off his trial. You wait and see and now the goverment is going to get behind him. It is the classic bait and switch. What short of accountablity does he fall under. I think the players should all strike again like they did in ‘94 until he is out. I know that is just a pipe dream but come on he is not going to be pentalized at all. I wish the Mitchell report had started with the suggestion that Selig step down.
Baseball is raped. I know that is harsh but it is the truth. All the records are gone. Bud Selig is the, “Andy Dufresne” of major league baseball, “He crawled through a river of crap and came out clean on the other side.”
December 20th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
you said it curt, you “just might be naive and stupid”.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Curt,
C’mon, piling on is beneath you. Clemens is your friend, with friends like you who needs enemies? This is absurd getting caught up in baseballs pathetic attempt to right the wrongs of previously failing to drug test the players. The hundreds or thousands of players that used but were not mentioned in the report get off scot free?
No one can claim they didn’t know baseball was a drug infested sport, your union fought testing at every turn, and for that very reason. Let’s go back and crucify everyone named in the “mitchell report” without proof? Rubbish I say. The statute of limitations on the suspected criminal activity has rendered most of the players that previously used steroids exempt from prosecution.
To promote healing I say let it go with the past suspected activity. Your union should finally allow proper testing to protect the health of it’s players and the integrity of the game. That is what has been learned, and really nothing more.
The thing left to discuss is how can Barry Bonds be the only player prosecuted? Two reasons. 1.) He is not a media darling like Clemens. 2.) He is Black. There I said it and I believe it. Bonds is being singled out because he refused to incriminate himself. Clinton lied under oath and he is fixing to return to the white house when in fact he should have been prosecuted under the same argument that they are using for Bonds.
The “Mitchell Report” was a waste of time and money, prepared by a former Senator who may or may not have “unclean hands” he is a politician after all! For one man, senator Mitchell,, to be given the power of Judge and Jury is ludicrous at the very least. Libelous possibly, irresponsible certainly. That 20 million could have fed a whole lot of needy families this Holiday season.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Anyone and everyone who follows baseball has an opinion on this one. For any of you posters who are here just to rip on Curt, I would politely request that they close their pie holes. Take your hating to your own blog. Just don’t wait for old Jimmy to show up. If you carefully read Curt’s comments you see that he wants Roger and all the others to clear up any doubts about illegal enhancement as much as anyone, but doesn’t see it happening. And to compare steroid use to medicinal pain killers or surgical repair of injuries is just too stupid to comment upon. As for me ,the whole problem could have been avoided if the players had allowed a stringent drug testing program. And we fans have to accept a lot of the blame for eagerly buying tickets to watch supermen blast balls into the stratosphere.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
It is major league baseball’s fault for not having a policy in place at the time of this. The players union would not budge on this topic. They did a dis-service to all players that made it and the one’s that did not make it without cheating. The sport has been tainted for not having rules in place. Big league teams knew of the situation and did not take a stand due to money and also to how good the players were getting. Let’s face it in the early 90’s all the craze was for teams to sign latino players that they could juice and put mass on there thin frames. In order to keep up with the game players had to cheat to keep jobs and to be the best. I heard this story from a pretty good source that stated that when Johnny Damon was traded to the Yankees it was b/c he tested positive for roids and was going to be suspended when the Sox turned him in. He refused and said he would rat yourself ( Schilling ) and Ortiz of using roids also if any action was taken and he wanted traded too. I have always trusted your opinions and I don’t believe the strory but it is out there I heard it from a player 1st hand. If baseball wants to clean up there needs to be testing and penalties similar to track/field and tennis on the 2 year ban if caught. This exposing of players who used is ridiculous ( the league did not have a policy in place ) and players almost had to use to keep jobs. Bonds used to prove to everybody that he was the best. It was ego but he finally said enough is enough- I will show you what I can do if I cheat. In the 90’s I respected Bonds and Griffey for not using but Barry had to put his foot down. Good luck to you and I apologize in advance for the story I just don’t like hearing you slam other players when I have heard you also used. Baseball is to blame so lets put new rules in place and have the game move forward. No taking away of awards and rings! Move on & take care!!
December 20th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Personally, I think it’s embarrassing that you would speak out against one of the greatest pitchers of all time. His name has been dragged through the media, commercials made about him, and unfounded accusations made that are ruining his reputation. Now YOU’RE going to jump his ship as well? Imagine the stress that he and his family have had to go through on a daily basis not to mention the support and credibility he’s lost over this whole ordeal without ever having a chance to defend himself other than saying he’s not guilty. Meanwhile, you sleep nice and cozy without a care in the world, surrounded by your loved ones and free of controversy; yet you want to jump his ship? Just remember Curt that in this country you’re innocent until proven guilty. It’s a right that every citizen of this great nation shares including yourself.
Regards,
The Curt Schilling Deportation Commitee
December 20th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Dear Curt,
This is the first time I’ve actually been on your blog and my skin is crawling with disstate. That said, I’m going to try to keep this short but I’m seething over your comments regarding Clemens. I have one word, hypocrite. It’s common knowledge to everyone that the bloody sock you wore to fake out the Yankees was painted red for show since you’re an attention-craving whore. You were called out on that by one of your own teammates, lest you forget. And yes, I have visited Cooperstown and seen your “bloody sock” in all its glory. Nice of you to give Cooperstown one of the socks you wore when you first got stitched up, Frankenankle, but you’re not fooling anyone by letting them think you actually wore that particular sock in the game. You’re as phony as they come until YOU can prove otherwise that that sock you wore in the game was actually blood. Wait, what’s that? You can’t? That sock was thrown out in the trash? I can’t say I’m shocked, not when a self-serving @&* like you wore it. Although Roger is guilty of being a self-absorbed hired gun, he is not guilty of being a cheat, unless there’s actual evidence he did. How dare you demand he give up his Cy Youngs. Give back your World Series ring in 2004, you phony! Mr. Clemens deserves an apology of the highest order from you, but I’m not sure he’s not wasting his breath. That would take class, which you, sadly, lack. I know you’re sore you weren’t the one invited onto 60 Minutes to gab with Katie Couric about how steroids is runing the game. Of course, if you had been, you would’ve taken up the whole hour running your mouth. Thank God the rest of us were spared.
In conclusion, there’s a place reserved in hell for hypocrites and fat bastards. Someday you’ll meet Scott Boras there.
Have a wonderful Holiday and dont’ choke on the coal in your stocking,
A Yankee Fan in New Jersey
December 20th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
the day before the mitchell report was made public, i spent a great deal of time thinking and writing about this issue. i have adopted a pretty hard stance against players who use PEDs. on many occasions, i have voiced that players’ stats and awards should be stripped and they should even be banned from further play in the professional arena. so the day before the report was published, a friend asked me, “what will you do if one of YOUR players is named?” i had already thought about it. and my answer was that i would be sad. and i would be angry. i asked myself, ‘what if schilling or varitek show up on the list?’ i asked this regarding these 2 players particularly because they are my two favorite players and the two who i would find most inconceivable to be there.
but, the thing about my opinions of either you, curt, or jason is that the only thing i can base this on is what i know about you from the media. as you pointed out, we fans don’t know you. but, i must say this; from everything i have read or seen of you and jason, i believe you both to be men of integrity. i believe you both take the game of baseball seriously and you both work very hard to achieve your goals. i believe you both put the integrity of game far above any gains that can occur through cheating. those are my beliefs and my opinions, and that is all they are.
as far as senator mitchell goes, i have to say i agree with your assessment that he is a man of integrity. he was a senator from my state. i do not know him personally, but he has proven himself time after time to be a thinking man who is capable of coming to unbiased conclusions. once again this is my opinion, but i believe it to be supported by a long standing track record from his entire professional life.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
For the kiddie poolers among you, notably calio4life and the “please shut up!” ilk,
A ‘weblog’, or ‘blog’, is an online communication tool used to impart thoughts, generate discussion, report news, etc. As such, they are often utilized as tools by writers as places to share thoughts, opinion and analysis. Given that personal weblogs number over one hundred million now, and most of them follow the aforementioned guidelines for content generation, the fact that Curt Schilling posts thoughts, opinion and analysis should really surprise nobody (save for those of you who apparently aren’t finished evolving from under the rocks you’ve until recently called home).
Blogs generate traffic by providing content. A blogger who “just shuts up”, generates no content of interest, and therefore, has no reason to continue blogging.
Since there are many and more of us who enjoy coming here to read the thoughts an opinion of a professional athlete with an exceptional career and history in his sport, this wuold be a suboptimal conclusion.
Therefore, I would ask that the “please just shut up” crowd kindly delete their links to this site and refrain from coming here simply to regale us with their conceited ranting, as all these posts amout to is this: “Since your opinion doesn’t jive with mine, yours not only has no value, but you shouldn’t be expressing it in the first place, therefore, you should be silenced.” I would ask those of you who feel this way to kindly book passage to the authoritarian country of your choice, where you can reside in the atmosphere of quashed speech and civil rights that you seem to desire.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Listen, I’m tired of people like you (Curt) trying to give good people a bad name. Do your really care the Roger Clemens used steroids, or is it because you’re upset that you WILL NEVER be half as good as Roger Clemens.
YANKEE FAN
4
LIFE !!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Sweet Jeebus, please shut up. Just because you were on Ding Dongs and Miller Lite when you DIDN’T win the Cy Young doesn’t mean you have the right to demand that he give anything back.
And seriously, aren’t you a Republican who supported the idiot in chief we have now? I’m sure you’re still condoning and excusing HIS administration’s outright contempt for the rules. Or could it possibly be that you want to set the precedent of punishing illegal substance using Cy Young winners because you came in SECOND so many times?
If there was an award for Most Annoying Pitcher, you would have quite a bit more hardware in your oversized trophy room.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Curt,
Clearly the naming of Roger Clemens has had an effect on you, but how do you feel about the naming of your former team-mate Eric Gagne as an alleged user of HGH? even though he clearly forgot to use them when he was a redsox, he was still on your team that won the world series this year
Danny
December 20th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I’m very tired of people not recognizing the distinction between legal principle (innocent until proven guilty, a standard designed to make sure as few people are falsely imprisoned as possible) and the way the world works outside of a court room. If you applied the innocent until proven guilty logic to everything in your life, almost nothing would get done. Decisions would be impossible. Intuition, which normally serves us very wall (Gladwell’s Blink anybody?) would be useless.
Innocent until proven guilty has become the safe haven for the intellectually defunct, those whose loose grasp of reason allows them to espouse catchphrases without being accountable for the logic behind them.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
You envious, hypocritical, speak-before-you-think-if-ever-making-it-to-the-thinking-part, Clemens-wannabe idiot.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
While we’re at it, lets set the home run record back to 61 so that we once again have something to track and root for during the first three months of the season.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Curt just wanted to say it’s nice to see somebody speak out and voice their opinions on all this. For far to long baseball has turned a blind eye to the behind the scenes actions of it’s stars. I am proud to be a member of this great Sox nation and even more proud of the accomplishments the players have made on and off the field. You guys give back so much to the community and create a feeling of family. You could win 30 world series tropheys and none of them would mean as much to us fans as the work you do off the field for charities. To see that little guy run those bases after his fight with cancer makes being a Sox fan the greatest honor on earth. It goes far beyond baseball here and thats all thanks to the efforts of guys like you, who play the game with respect, honor and most off all clean. I can’t thank you enough for the way you make this Sox fan feel everytime I put on my hat with that B. I wish you and your beautiful family and wonderful, safe, and healthy holiday. God bless and Thank you.
BK
December 20th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Comment by natefrancis
The distilled point by natefrancis:
Hey you guys telling Curt to shut up would you please shut up.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Listen, I’m tired of people like you (Curt) trying to give good people a bad name. Do your really care about Roger Clemens using steroids, or is it because you’re upset that you WILL NEVER be half as good as Roger Clemens.
YANKEE FAN
4 Holla at your boy!
LIFE !!!
December 20th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Hi Curt,
Let me start by saying that as a Yankee fan and a liberal, I do not like agreeing with you. In fact, I kind of consider you an all-purpose enemy. But I have been so disappointed by the way this steroids issue has been handled by both the players and the media that I feel I must voice support for anyone who articulates (what I consider) an appropriate point of view.
“Innocent until proven guilty” is a legal standard set up by this country to insure that the rights of citizens could not be taken by the government until a strong case was made in a fair trial. It has nothing to do with how we should judge people’s reputations, nor should it. I do not mean to suggest that our standard should be “believe any and all accusations by any bozo or sleazebag who happens to have access to the media.” It simply means that we should make our own judgments about whom to trust, respect and shame based on the evidence available to us and that we should be ready to defend those judgments when challenged by others.
So far, Roger Clemens has not met my standard. To do so he must specifically refute the allegations that have been made against him in a forum in which some dialogue with the public is possible. A press conference would be fine. He steps up, he says “such and such is not true,” then a fan/reporter asks him point blank to clarify any ambiguities in his statements and he responds. If he in fact did not do what he is accused of, this will not be difficult. Afterward, he should be praised for having the honor to step forward it clear his name properly.
Until he does such a thing, I will assume that he has something to hide. This suspicion partly comes from his plea to remove himself from scrutiny based on his athletic accomplishments, as it is precisely this kind of rationale that I believe leads athletes to engage in and justify unethical behavior.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Well i think its none of your business Curt because you havent won as many cy youngs as Roger Clemens, hes a better player all around and hes gaurenteed a hall of fame entry and you arent just yet but my whole point is Curt, ur a pitcher you are suppose to be side by side with other pitchers around the league not disrupt their career or lives which are at stake. Curt, as a yankee fan, i think youre a great pitcher and one of the best ive seen as a red sox player and you’ll fit great in the hall with your bloody sock hahaha….Merry Christman Curt and May you have a great and healthy new year and Best Wishes To the Schilling Family… and if you ever want to contact me heres the email address…alexrod101@yahoo.com
December 20th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
How do we know you never used performance enhancing drugs? You say you didn’t much like Roger says he didn’t. Why should we believe you over him or him over you? Accusations make the media spin - you should watch where and to whom you are casting stones!
You are a joke… a bad joke.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Yada Yada Yada………….if there was an award for outrageous bloviators in baseball, you would win it every year and nobody would ever request it be stripped for you. It amazes me how you have comments to share nationally on every single issue. I just took a sh#t, I will check your blog tomorrow to see what you have to say about it. Get over yourself Cuz.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
It’s obvious what really happened here. One thing I know is that all politicians are crooked. All the juicers on the RedSox got immunity from George Mitchell, and to keep it from being suspicious they threw the one player that the Sox fans hate under the bus- Gagne. So no one will ever know if Papi, Manny, or Schilling ever used, but I will always wonder because oif the source of this investigation.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Good night, people. Curt hasn’t accused Roger Clemens of anything, yet as a *fan* has expressed his hope that Clemens will come clean and put to rest some very troubling allegations that were made _under oath_. And coming clean means using the appropriate legal means to clear your name. Clemens hasn’t done this (saying that all the allegations made by McNamee are false isn’t enough from a legal standpoint).
I don’t always agree with what Curt says and agree that in some cases his points of view are wrong or misguided (e.g. Ben Davis’ bunt that broke up his perfect game bid; anyone remember that?). But I know first hand that Curt isn’t as egotistical or jealous as many make him out. Back in ‘01 when the (cursed) Diamondbacks won the World Series, I posted on a small e-mail list (devoted to boardgames of all things) that I thought Curt should have won the Cy Young over Randy Johnson. While I knew that Curt had some ties to the list, I was flabbergasted to receive a person e-mail, cc-ed to the list, defending the decision to give the award to Johnson; especially went several posters had already made comments about how Johnson was clearly the better pitcher. Now, if someone were as egostical and jealous as people claim Curt is, he wouldn’t have written this e-mail. At best, he would have kept quiet; at worst he would have agreed with my post.
I like Roger Clemens a lot and have a soft spot for the Yankees (having attended many games in the 70’s-80’s), but Curt’s right here: as a fan, let’s hope Clemens addresses these allegations with the strongest legal means and clears himself once and for all. Otherwise, he’ll be dealing with a shadow for the rest of his career.
Oh yeah — how about Pete Rose (Mr. Greenie) coming out against these “terrible steroid” abusers when it is well documented that he was a big-time amphetamine user. Can anyone say hypocrisy?
December 20th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
HOW DO YOU DEFEND THE DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT IN YOUR PERFORMANCE AFTER YOU MET ROGER CLEMENS???????
HOW DO YOU DEFEND THE FACT THAT ALTHOUGH YOUR CLUBBIE CARLOS COWART WAS ARRESTED WITH STEROIDS, GEORGE MITCHELL (OF THE BOSTON RED SOX) NEVER THOUGHT TO CONTACT HIM, NOR WAS THERE ANY INVESTIGATION HELD TO FLUSH OUT WHAT HE KNEW????
HOW DO YOU DEFEND THE FACT THAT MANNY ALEXANDER WAS NEVER FORCED TO TALK NOT ONLY BY MLB BUT BY GEORGE MITCHELL (OF THE BOSTON REDSOX) WHO SHOULD HAVE HAD THE AUTHORITY, THROUGH HIS CONNECTION TO THE CLUB, TO MAKE HIM TALK?????
The fact of the matter is this until Mitchell got information from McNeme and Rodomski his report was nothing more than a copy and paste term paper with little insight into anything. Why did he not go after the low hanging fruit in the Red Sox organization???
If Clemens should have to defend things like that you should too…
December 20th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
A lot of hitters were supposedly on juice at the same time. In light of that, if the charges are true, are his accomplishments all that tainted?
December 20th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
I have read a lot of comments about “innocent until proven guilty” in the last two posts by Curt.
I would like to add that in a civil court of law, you need only a preponderance of the evidence to tip the scale of justice. With the civil court standard of “guilt,” I am 100% sure that Clemens used performance enhancing drugs.
The Mitchell report is more than just accusations. McNamee injected Clemens himself. Moreover, I believe McNamee’s credibility strengthens daily with player admissions. I believe Pettite’s admission was the nail in the coffin. McNamee was right on the mark when he said that Pettite used HGH 2-4 times. Then Brian Roberts Admitted to one shot of steroids.
Good luck to Clemens when he receives a subpoena to talk to Congress.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Give back the Cy Youngs? No, they should be stripped from Clemens if he is found to have cheated by the use of steroids, just as Jones had her gold medals stripped recently by the Olympic committee for the use of enhancing substances. Likewise, Bonds should have his homerun record removed from the record books if he is found to have been “juiced”. No meaningless Asterik next to his name. Olympians who have been found cheating have their medals taken away and any records they have set removed from the record books. For some reason Baseball believes that once a record is in the books, it is immutable no matter how it was attained, and must remain in the record books. Records by cheats should not count or be recognized. They never happened. Baseball should follow the example of the Olympics and the Tour D’France
December 20th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
hey curt, why dont you, for once, lead by example. you are always pointing fingers and not owning up. how can you do that? let me explain.
the mitchell report that you refer to in regard to Roger Clemens returning his cy young awards also names 2 of your former teamates; Johnny Damon and Trot Nixon, both of whom played intricate parts of your 2004 championship run. both players, moreso Damon but both none-the-less, had career years tat year. and, being at game 7 of the ALCS, the juiced up Johnny hit 2 out.
So, Curt, i ask you to hand back your ring in the name of honesty and in the support of steroid and taint free baseball. if not, you are just upset that Roger crushed you in the Cy Young candidacy and you really arent concerned about baseballs integrity at all…
December 20th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
This was all so obvious. These guys, just the dozens I knew in the gym, got gains way past those of us relying on protein and hard work. We all knew it then, and now we want to pretend that we are aghast. It sucks, but the entire era should be known as the “Decade of Juice” It may be unfair, but there is no way to say, prove you are innocent. The question, at least for this American, is that they need to be proved guilty, at least before you can take legal action. So to all those clean players, I say you should have spoken up when the rage and the ache and the extra 50 pounds of muscle showed up. You knew it then, live with it now
December 20th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
shut up already! all you do is cry! just play ball. i’m sick of hearing you talk! it sounds like you are just jealous. get over it and go play ball. life’s not fair get use to it. i really don’t care who took steroids and who didn’t. you need a lot more then steroids to be a great baseball player or else everyone who took steroids would be great.
sr
December 20th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Thanks for your well thought out take. It’s simple really, if someone calls you a liar or cheat, you do everything in your power to dispell the allegations and clear your name. When it comes down to it, that’s all we really have in this world that matters…our good name. In this case, silence speaks volumes.
Too bad the media is “cherry picking” your comments on Roger to make headlines….more irresponsible journalism.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
It is 1997. Roger has been told by Boston’s GM he is on the downside of his career. He goes to Toronto meets Canseco, who probably tells him steroids will help him revive his career. Roger says, okay. I am a competitor. I will do anything to be on top of my game. Much like Barry Bonds being jealousy of McGwire and Sosa, Roger will do anything to continue playing at a high level. Drugs be damned. What the heck, MLB doesn’t test for anything. I will not be caught doing something that baseball doesn’t outlaw. Well, the rest is history. Now if Roger calls a press conference right now and tells the truth. Says his story much like I layout, we can all move forward. Call it the “Steroids Era”. But, if Roger, pulls a Pete Rose and lies for 15 years about his
situation, well, then the hell with him and his entire career. Well, Roger the ball is in your hand. What are you going to do?
December 20th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Crying won’t get you a Cy Young. Must be tough living in rogers shadow. Maybe you and Jamie Lynn Spears ought to get together.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
There is only one reason why Curt Shilling has made the brazen demand on Roger Clemens to clear or return. It is because Mr. Shilling knows the truth. In fact, all the players know who uses and who doesn’t. Do you really think that Clemens can possibly clear his name? No. Mr. Shilling has ordained himself as the righteous one who can blog his way through the PED tainted sport called baseball. In his defense, Mr. Shilling has the appearance of a normal 40 year old athlete and the mediocre stats that go along with a non-PED physique. I think he is clean. I also think that he has lost sleep because he has not been able to rat on his fellow players. Now that Mr. Mitchell has opened the door a little, out come the accusations against a player who has obviously been cheating for years.
Do baseball a bigger favor, Curt. Name all the names. Call them all out. You have been wanting to do it for a long time. Here is your chance. Will the Red Sox be able to field a team of 9 players if you do?
December 20th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Having been in the field for over 30 years, I can tell you that the Mitchell Report contained some useful information for MLB to attempt to clean up the game, but none of what was reported would hold up in court. That being said, there are probably 25% of the names on the list that never touched the stuff and over 200 not on the list that did. Maybe you should stick to throwing the ball and not you mouth.
“How cool would it be if you did that”
December 20th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
i was just watching Fox News and while reporting about this blog they were showing clips of Clemens from the past. One of the clips was the Piazza broken bat thing.
I haven’t seen that clip in a year or so. this time i was seeing it with new perspective.
A guy breaks his bat (blame physics) and you pick up this sharp, heavy dagger and fling it at a guy!!!!!!!!!!
National media took that incident and stroked their baby Roger. “Oh he’s just passionate for the game and he gets fired up when playing the game he loves”
Wrong!!!!
The millions of thick hairs on his back were prickling and he went into an incredible hulk roid rage!!!!
it all makes sense.
lastly… here’s a comparison.
Drew Peterson (corrupt wife killer cop) , Barry Bonds, OJ Simpson, Roger Clemens.
what do those 4 have in common?
i think they are all dilusional in thinking that they can trick the entire world.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Obviously, this blog is one place in which we’re lucky enough to bend the ear of a bona fide MLB baseball player, a player who’s made himself available to the general public.
Sadly, some of us can’t quite handle that kind pressure and need to find some way to stand out from the rest of the group. Most of them are Curt haters and rather than engage in a honest debate of whatever topic Curt chooses, they use it as a chance to heckle him like some drunken Yankee fan chanting “a**hole” from the bleachers.
Nevertheless, I don’t need 12 jurors to tell whether OJ cut his wife’s head off, or a court of law to “prove” Clemens or Bonds was or is on the juice.
The truth is there for anyone brave enough to face it, and as far as I’m concerned, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, talks like a duck, then it’s a godamn duck!
Stick to your guns Curt. They’re gonna love you or hate you no matter what you say. This blog, for me at least, is a chance for me to gain some insight on your POV which you’ve been nice enough to share with us.
Merry Christmas!
Roger
December 20th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Curt hang it up. You have had 4 good years in your entire career and the rest have been average or below average. I guess we are to believe you didn’t use anything when you went from being very injury prone to two twenty win seasons in Arizona over night. I don’t buy and you need to prove to everyone that you were clean. For someone who loves to toot his horn and obviously thinks he is quite intelligent you might find in very difficult to prove a negative, or perhaps your less than brilliant mind does not comprehend that concept. It really would be best for baseball for you to shut up and go away.
You say Clemens should give his four Cy Young awards to the rightful winners. How do you know they didn’t cheat. As they say Curt, “Don’t go away mad just go away”.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Curt,
What’s the whole thing about? If it’s about the welfare of the players (which it isn’t), I could see why its such a big deal. It seems everyone, including yourself is so upset about the un-even playing field. It’s just a game, you can’t take it that seriously. Things are never even, whether its AL-NL, natural size and strength of players, or other resources available to some players. Please tell me, why is everyone in such a huff over steroids??
December 20th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
I agree with you Curt, if they are found to have cheated the records that they broke or awards they achieved should be stricken from the records. Baseball needs to send a strong message to everyone that they realize there is/was a problem and that they aren’t going to let anyone get away with it anymore. I’m glad that you voiced your opinion as I’m sure it’s shared by many more people.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Rumor is you are the player who went to Mitchell before the report came out with a lawyer and proved you threw away steroids … ONCE. Prove YOU are innocent Curt. From what I saw there were no RedSox on that list and I wondered why. Either Mitchell protected you guys or you have your own drug dealer. Come one - some RedSox must have been doing them. But to see NONE on the list was a travesty.
We know what Roger Clemens’ workout schedule is like. We know what his work ethic is. We also know that McNamee was permanently banned from the Yankee clubhouse and later fired by Clemens for a sexual assault on a young woman during spring training. But that isn’t IN the Mitchell report is it? Mc Namee has every reason to be upset with Clemens. He lost his job. He had every reason to name him in revenge. And yes, no matter what you may think - he is innocent until proven guilty - just as you are.
As for the other Yankees on the list, how did steroids help them? Did they make Kevin Brown stronger when he punched out a locker room wall and broke his wrist? Or did they just help him suck on the mound? Did they help Chuck Knoblock throw one over the Yankee dugout and knock out a lady in the stands? Villone - wow they made him a real star. Justice - Yankee one year. Not much. You know good and well the only name on that list is Clemens and you are making it a personal vendetta.
Prove the blood on your sock was real, babe.
Persi
December 20th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Your thoughts on people calling these guys ‘rats’ is spot on. My jaw hit the floor when I heard Peter Gammons call them “sewer rats” on ESPN immediately after the Mitchell briefing. I lost a great deal of respect for him that day.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
yanksfanfor25,
I checked the list of names at the NYTimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/12/13/sports/20071213_MITCHELL_FEATURE.html#) and did not see Trot or Johnny on the list.
On an unrelated note, does Curt actually respond to comments to his postings?
December 20th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Curt:
It is astonishing to me that the role of agents/attorneys hasn’t even been questioned in all of this steroid talk. Do you really think Dennis Gilbert didn’t have Jose’s nutritionist on speed dial, seeing as any capitalist would, the amount of money he stood to make from Jose taking steroids and taking his agent’s 5% on the hundreds of millions of dollars of steroid “upside” ?
While I wrote about this on it is amazing to me that more legitimate members of the press haven’t even begun to examine the role that those who were in a prime position to benefit the most but pay the least, played in this scandal. Having been a small time agent years ago, who happened to represent coincidentally one named Mitchell report player, I promise you that agents big and small not only knew exactly what was going on in baseball, but often crossed the line from acts of omission to acts of commission. Your thoughts?
December 20th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Curt,
I have been a loyal Sox fan for many years, and was present to witness the Yaz Triple Crown, and the impossible dream of lore.
I respect your position on the Clemens issue, but I am shocked, and amazed, that you are PRO - GEORGE W. BUSH.
Are you that NAIVE?
Or were you brainwashed in one of those moronic bible belt parts of America where they actually believe that this guy cares about Americans.
Wake up Curt. Curt….WAKE UP! Your in a dream, and it’s time to get back to reality.
Best wishes on your finale season. Hopefully the injuries or stamina required to continue pitching, won’t require Steroids to keep the fans happy by continuing your career.
Or, in closing, maybe your just bucking for a position in the league as some hot shot who thinks he knows it all.
If you support George W. Bush, your not someone I want making important decisions regarding MLB.
Enough said, pitch well my friend this year, and savor the final days.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
The essence of the issue surrounding performance enhancing drugs is far greater than each of the names presented by the Mitchell Report. The seminal concerns rest in the acceptance of cheating as a method for achieving success. Any true fan of baseball that read your challenge to Roger Clemens should understand your position. In order for a star such as Clemens to thoroughly clear his history regarding such substances, he must stand up to his accusers adamantly, without hesitation. He must specifically and categorically deny such usage and be ready, if necessary, to legally force his accusers to prove involvement in order to defend his innocence in this matter.
Anything short of this response must be interpreted as guilt and if guilt is the outcome he must be established as a blistering example that the game and the fans will not tolerate such abhorrent behavior.
If the steroid age of baseball has proved anything it is this, players from the Golden Age of the game such as Aaron, Mays, Mantle, Clemente, Ruth, Williams and Gehrig, to name a few, were phenomenon. Glorious representatives of a glorious game long past.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Let me begin by saying I am not a fan of Roger Clemens (or Curt Schilling for that matter), but asking a man to prove he didn’t commit an act for which no evidence exists either way, is ridiculous. Equally as ridiculous is you questioning whose integrity should be called into question. The author of the Washington Post article states that the “rat” didn’t give Senator Mitchell any information until he was facing jail time, and then told the Senator “what he wanted to hear.” The author then wonders what motivation the “rat” would have to lie. Hmm… I haven’t a clue.
You say that in the court of public opinion, the opposite of innocent until proven guilty is true. You’re right about that, but the old “it is what it is” line is beneath anyone with even the slightest bit of common sense. I shouldn’t be surprised considering it came from someone invoking the O.J. Simpson Bronco chase to prove his point. The difference? As I recall, O.J. was fleeing the police while holding a gun to his head.
I have a challenge for you. I defy you to prove you’ve never used steroids. Ready? Go.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Hello Curt once again I’m here to spend a few moments of my life trying to discern what you feel is fact and what you feel is passing judgment before the truth is known. Is the growing consensus that the Rocket used performance enhancing drugs the answer to that would be yes, as a fan I feel that if it is all true and by the amount of players coming forward it looks like it might be. I simply need to state the facts the player that was and is Roger Clemens was loved by many hated by some he was one of the most competitive pitcher to ever grace a baseball mound and until lately was considered a freak of nature. I will admit in all honesty have we all heard the rumors surrounding Roger for years, yes I know I have heard about the alleged doping and growth hormone usage and that might very well be the case, who are we to condemn anyone let alone a man who might arguably go down as the best ever, let’s not forget that steroid use has been rampant for over 30 years in almost all major sports and until now that hallowed redcords are being broken is this becoming a huge huge issue. Mr. Schilling you are in your own right a great pitcher , a clutch post season performer and a great humanitarian for what you do for your community and such, but do not think that, that allows you the right to persecute anyone in an open forum such as you have done with Mr. Clemens. I know being a diehard yankee fan for over 20 years that you and many other great red sox players have been my teams biggest challenge and to me it’s great that the rivalry is alive and well it’s what makes sports so great and so perplexing at the same time. I know the trainers and suppliers in the mitchell investigation were from new york or the oakland area therefore the majority of the players listed will be from those regions, but do you honestly think that only those cities those teams produce drug users and cheaters I think you know better than that if you believed that then maybe I’m wrong about your intelligence but I think not. I’ve heard numerous fans screaming for suspensions , bans, achievements to be wiped away. Well let me tell you it cannot happen fairly in this sport because the full scope in which people cheat or use these drugs will never truly be known. Did players admit to cheating yes some have, have others denied yes some have, what does that prove? To me condeming anyone in a public forum is just wrong it shows a lack of class a lack of fully understanding the legal and judicial rights garnered to us by the constitution. In closing Mr. Schilling until we know all of the offenders who are we to judge , hell who are we to even attempt to judge we are just pawns in the great scheme of life and life to to short to jump on assumptions and allegations as we all know Mr. Schilling when you assume you make an as out of you and me, thank you for your time and once again,,,,,GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Here is my whole problem with the steroid era. In 1995, the year after the strike, I was able to go to a game at Dodger Stadium and sit on the Field level for $15. Those same tickets today are $60. That is a 400% increase. Now I can hear the wise person saying that is inflation. Well in 1983, I sat in those same seats for $8, so yes there was some inflation but at less than 100% not 400%. What happend? Star power plain and simple.
Baseball became popular because it was an everyman’s sport. You looked at the players and they were no different than you and me except they had skills that set them apart. We could live just a little bit of our dreams thru these guys, our personal brothers. That all changed when these men morphed into the beast that we see out there today.
Steroids and other performance enhancers changed that. And we (the fans) like the dumb saps that we are bought into it because we still wanted to live a little bit of that dream. We might as well as just cheer for video games because honestly the player today are just as make believe.
My favorite part today is the player who said they took the stuff to recover from an injury. “So you were dealt a bad break, you were also dealt a great break by being blessed with the skills you were able develop just to be able to put on that unform.” I guess once the big checks come rolling in they forget about how lucky they are and just worry about the greed they have develop. “I’m just trying to help my family”, aren’t we all? I guess he who stops counting their blessings, count their money instead.
Which brings me to who is to blame? The players made more money. Average salary in 1995 was $1.07 million, average salary today is $2.95 million. That is almost a 200% rise. Don’t forget they added over 75 jobs during that time (two new teams plus a roster expansion from 24 to 25). The owners also made more money (remember the 400% increase). Okay my salary did go up more than 200% during that time but I did graduate from college the following year and $9/ hr lifeguarding is pretty easy to triple. So the players and owners benefited and we paid 400% more. I guess it is easy to see who is to blame (as long as you have a mirror).
December 20th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Crossdogg2005, how do I join the “The Curt Schilling Deportation Commitee”? I imagine you are already in the billions in terms of membership, but I know a lot of folks that would love to see Curt deported to Cuba or Siberia or in the Grand Canyon somewhere! I can think of about 12 pitchers, including Clemens, I would like to have on my team before even thinking of Curtis Montague (whose use of Montague as a middle name is an affront to George Washington’s grandmother as well as Peter Montague).
December 20th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Curt, I’m impressed with your sincerity and honesty. From this BLOG and other quotes you’ve made in the past, I believe you are always honest and say exactly what you think. I don’t agree with everything you say, but I respect your right to say it, and I trust your honesty and sincerity. I believe you have a lot in common (honesty and sincerity-wise) with my favorite musician, Elton John. Like Elton, you say what you really feel, you admit that you’re human (and have made mistakes, like us all), and when you feel strongly about something, you “tell it like it is” from your perspective. Sometimes, you have been complained about in the media because you are so opinionated. Some of these complaints may have implied that you are egotistical. However, like Elton, I don’t think you are egotistical — passionate and opinionated, yes, but egotistical, no. Elton and you have stated that you are each fans of others in your professions. You have stated quite clearly (that pending the truth about Roger Clemens’ alleged substance abuse) that you are a fan of his, and you consider him the greatest pitcher ever. Similarly, Elton is a huge fan of many other musicians, and he has never implied he thought he was “the greatest”. Maybe this post is a bit off-topic, but I just wanted to commend you on your passion, honesty, and sincerity. Even though there are some of your past public comments and opinions that are totally opposite mine, I find you to be quite a “character” (I mean this as a compliment), and quite likable. You are your own man, and good for you. Ron (Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies fan).
December 20th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
And who knows, perhaps that bloody sock was while Curtis Montague was experiencing PMS….
December 20th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
You know, I almost posted a comment to your previous entry about how making a judgment (personal or otherwise) about someone’s innocence or guilt based on their reaction to the accusation is treading on some pretty shaky ground, but I realized that in my gut, I’m inclined to believe this one about Roger. (It is still a slippery slope though, and I think it was the call for him to give back his awards that most of us were uncomfortable with. I don’t think that should happen without hard proof. In your own words: “Take away all personal awards won by players **caught cheating**.” What constitutes “caught”?)
I think the key phrase was that even though you offered “One players take,” you explicitly stated your opinion “as a fan.” Roger isn’t one of my biggest heroes, but if one of ‘my guys’ were in the position he’s in now, damn straight I’d want him to convince me he’s clean. If that’s immature hero-worship, then mea culpa.
I disagree with you on *a lot* of things and won’t even get into some discussions with you, but this makes a few times recently that I can see your point of view when you’ve pissed a lot of people off. I’m either being brainwashed or you’re an OK guy.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Really you are full of yourself. Why because he is a Yankee now he is guilty. I really do not think anyone is perfect in your profession and you really should just stay out of it instead of adding to the baloney. Hence the spotlight drops on you how many “nutritional Supplements” do all you guys take NOS, Creatine etc…
I work in the Sport Nutrition industry and know first hand that most of you all take some type of supplement. Just because its not on the list does not make it right. How did you pitch with your foot injured, pain killers? Oh but because its script its ok. You really are a hypocrite and Boston can keep you and your lame attitude.
J
December 20th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Curt,
I have always liked you as a pitcher and person, but I think you are going a bit overboard on this one. I can agree with your statement on Jose Canseco as he has admitted to the use of inhancing drugs. I also respect that you have stated you do not know Roger to have used but due to the impact he has had on your carreer you need him to be able to explain matters.
Saying that I think you should read over your writing (which i am quite sure as a proffessional you have) but this time not to proof read but to understand what you have said and your own personal feelings behind the matter. You seem to be more hurt over someone you respected, to be in the report than about the facts at hand. When has one in America had to PROVE their innocents? If you need Roger to explain things because it has personally upset you then pick up a phone call him but dont ask him to prove his innocents or give up 192 earned wins and 4 earned CY Youngs. Please Curt stand back from this and put your personal feeling aside and look at the entire picture. I personally think you owe Roger an appologie, and if, I say IF, Roger is found to have used substances with out any reasonable doubt, then and only thrn does Roger owe you, and us as fans an appologie. That would be the proper time to then began to question and wonder about records and achievements of this future HOFer and prob the best pitcher to take the mound.
Furthermore, as a friend wouldnt one be on the side of thier friend. Be there for them, help them to find a way to address the things they have been charged with. Isnt your friendship of more value than getting traffic to your commentary?
Again I stress I am a fan of yours Curt as well as Rogers and a die hard Cardinals fan who wished you would have came here this offseason. Moreover I am a fan of baseball and believe this whole debocle needs fixed. I do not however understand how you can live with some of the comments you have made and questions you have asked of Roger to answer in a public forum.
Regards
Gerald Day
December 20th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
The Salem Witch Hunt.
McCarthyism.
The Mitchell Report.
The line between investigation and persecution is a very fine one. It’s important to keep in mind that accusation is not proof. Convictions– whether in court or in the public eye– should be built on evidence and due process. It’s one of the foundations upon which this incredible country was built.
Is Roger Clemens a cheater? Probably– at least that’s my gut reaction. But was Goody Proctor a witch? Was Orsen Wells a communist? Heck, was Jose Canseco a liar? If any good is to come out of this situation, if those bearing iniquities are to be brought to justice in the name of baseball, we must reserve judgment until fact replaces hearsay.
Mr. Schilling, I greatly respect your opinion. I respect you even more so for your consistent willingness to voice opinions that might be unpopular– for being an actual human being where most professional athletes seem like mindless drones, spitting out the cliches and coach-speak fed to them by PR people.
If I might offer my own humble opinion, the worst thing about all this steroid use is that it has cast doubt upon innocent players, it has dirtied the reputation of otherwise clean men. But if we simply assume that those mentioned in the Mitchell Report are guilty, then we are committing the same injustice.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
cowchip…
according to your absurd statement anyone can make an accusation and the recipient of that is guilty by preponderance. Thus, I’m claiming that you were in my barn last night having your way with my farm animals so I’m calling the police and the press. Now go climb back in bed with your sister-wife and leave the intellect to us.
The Curt Schilling Deportation Commitee
December 20th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
While I agree with Curt on the premise that Roger should give back his awards, I also refuse to recognize Barry Bonds as the all time home run leader, the fact remains that in this country you are innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof is on the accuser not the person being accused. Clemens does not have to refute the allegations. It is up to the accuser to prove them.
As far as the comment left by yanksfanfor25 is concerned, you raise a good point however, the Mitchell Report does not state that Damon or Nixon used any performance enhancing substances while they were with the Red Sox. Even if it did, your argument that Curt return his World Series ring could hold true for every player on every team that won the World Series during the steroid era, including the Yankees
December 20th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
The problems with baseball -where to begin…. Before 1919 the game was fixed so nothing counts. Before 1947 Blacks were not allowed to play so nothing should count. After 1945 the WWII vets introduced stimulants. Steroid use began in the olympics in 1954 so it is naive to believe that it didn’t hit MLB until the mid 1990’s. Dogging drugs for performance enhancement seems very hypocritical when you consider that elbow surgery for pitchers and laser surgery enhance performance.
Hall of Fame? who cares. Leave out Pete Rose, Roger Clemens, and Barry Bonds and fill it with weak hitting middle infielders? Go ahead.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Hey Curt,
First off we miss you out here in Arizona!!
After reading the other posts, as a female fan of baseball and a Mom, I have come to learn one thing. Unfortunately, baseball like other sports is played not for the fun of the game, but for the money. There is a root to this mess. As a Mom who has kids in sports, this is how the young fans are looking at it.
In watching my children as well as nieces and nephews play sports, I have witnessed parents who live vicariously through their kids and groom them to be discovered by some scout who will lift them out of their burbs and rest them into some mansion in Paradise Valley or Miami along with their parents and family. Problem is, a lot of these parents never knew the athletes were juiced…
Once they hit the big time, as the kids call it, they plan on their kids getting paid unheard of salaries to play the game. They have lifestyles no fan could ever afford and are under pressure to keep playing until their bodies can’t physically anymore to keep up that lifestyle. Along with the bills for the lifestyle, the pressure from the wife and family as well as keeping up with appearances. So they get juiced on this crap to be well enough to continue their lifestyle and pressures from the media. That is ridiculous…
To your poster who mentioned about your cortisone shots and the performance juice these athletes used….BIG difference. I have been in sports therapy over 10 years and can vouche for that. Than again, I can hear it now, since botox has a small amount of steroid in it, people using botox are juicers, too……see how ridiculous that is??
Regulation was in place about this stuff when they were doing it and they knew it. But I think as a Mom it is now a little too late for all of this to be coming out. As far the trophies and rings being returned….take a look at Olympic athletes who have had to return their medals. Shit, that is a shame placed on the whole country.
It teaches a lesson and maybe we need to get back to playing sports for the sport rather than the money.
20 Moms in Mesa say Kudos, Curt!
December 20th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
why do people let this idiot talk? is there any subject he wont shoot his mouth off on no matter how ignorant he is of the topic?
December 20th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Curt,
You say Clemens should sue to clear his name. You ask that he prove he didnt use performance enhancing drugs. My question to you is……How do you prove something you didn’t do? It’s the burden of the accuser to prove that he DID use. It’s like asking somebody to prove that they’ve never been to New Jersey, or to prove you don’t like mustard. You also say he should give back his Cy Young awards. My question to you is if it were proven somebody on your Red Sox used this past year, would you give back the world series title? My guess is no. So before you ramble on with your “opinions”, think about what your asking for.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
to follow up post 90…I assume you never knew that ANYONE was using or abusing illegal substances of any kind. Seeing that you are a prince, you would have turned in any teammate for disgracing the game, right? Anytime you pitch, you count on your teammates to play D and score runs or you can’t win, so how about you turn over all your wins (and losses) anytime that any player named in the allegations played in. This is only fair?
You are one of the easiest players in baseball to dislike and I mean that in the worst way possible. Being a cub fan I used to hate Eckstein, but because he played the game hard and always killed the cubs. So it wasn’t really hate as it was more envy of not having that hard nosed player on my team. On the other hand, with you, I dislike you because you are in the media always crying about someone or something else, or a bloody sock, or some other distraction from the game itself. After reading your post, you say Clemens’ taught you a lot. It’s too bad he didn’t teach you honor, pride, and most of all humility.
Please do take the time to go through all your wins/losses/starts/awards and make sure you give all that back to the game as it is unfair for you to take on any of these things with all the cheating that has happened. Oh wait, I’m sorry, I forgot, the Mitchell report was the first you heard of steroids and drugs and other illicit ongoings. Stand up to your word and do something instead of taking a media backseat
December 20th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Hey Curt,
I’m not going to come on here as some have and rip on you for your opinions, you are more then intitled to them. I do however have a problem with you calling out a guy who has done so much for the game as Roger Clemons has done, and tryed to villiphy him over unfounded and unproven allegations. I beleive that people are innocent until proven guilty and from where i sit i have not seen one offer of proof in the mitchell report on any player. I also have to wonder why you would single out perhaps the greatest player in the game and say he should forfeit his cy young awards yet i dont here you mentioning anything in regards to your teammates from 2004 world series Johnny Damon and Trot Nixon, i dont hear you saying that they need to return there world series rings. I would hope that you as a ball player that has had a great career would not want to go out on a note like this and i hope that you can realize that you cannot just single out one guy when there where 86 names on that list. i would also hope that you if added to this list would be saying to the senator or to bud selig to show actual proof of the steroid use and not just sum i heard from this guy that said he gave this to this person. thankx for your time .
have a merry xmas
December 20th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Curt,
First, thank you for posting the link I sent a few weeks back (http://www.firstgiving.com/lindyanderson ). Lindy has raised about $1,400 so far.
I disagree with the credit you give both Pettite and Brian Roberts for two reasons. First, they only admited it because they got caught, and second, they somehow feel that because they did it to get back from an injury it was not “gaining an advantage”. Try telling that to the AAA player who missed a start or some at bats because the chemicly enhanced player came back. If Wally Pipp had a little HGH in his coffee maybe your efforts to cure ALS never even begin.
OH, and YanksFanfor25, Damon and Trot was not named in the Mitchell Report. That was a rumor that Deadspin.com started.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Everyone including yourself needs to let this stuff die and go away. Baseball is at fault period, solve it and let’s move on. You always spew this holier than thow crap, guess that is the Republican way after all. Reality is many people have been taking advantage, peeking at someones test in school way back when or plagiarizing material or having someone else write for them (you are a suspect here)- once you take advantage you are in the same boat - there is no difference. How many people would give back the college diplomas (in your case JUCO) if they cheated and did not get caught- the answer is not many. Because most people are hypocrites just like you, all people have flaws and make mistakes, it is best to not point out others mistakes and act like you have class. The blaming of others for everything is not the right way to go, it is time for everyone else to look in the mirror. So Curt if you are perfect have at it, but all of us know you are not, you are just coming off as the male version of Ann Coulter, alot to say that does not help anything and is divisive in nature. You could do so much more by bringing people together Curt -what a waste of a pulpit.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
dmargolin,
Is having a press conference and expressing your innocence and taking questions all Clemens needs to do to clear his name? My God, I didn’t know it was that simple. I’m calling Rog right now and telling him that. The Jay Mariottis of the world will all take back what they have said and insure they will vote him in the HOF. Man, that was easy!!!!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
You are absolutely right Curt! It’s not like these guys tripped and fell on a needle. It’s not like they slipped and fell. This is no accident or mistake. It was a conscious decision they all made to better their career.
Bottom line, they all knowingly cheated and I think they should throw out every year they ever played. Any stats or awards won, handed over to the rightful owners.
There are more people that play fair and square and have to play against these steriod freaks. Push out the percentage of players that are cheating and it will make a statement to todays youth. We have to show the future of baseball that we won’t stand for cheaters. There are lots high school kids that are getting the worng idea right now. Most of them think it’s okay. I hope MLB sends a clear message to todays youth. Don’t cheat!
I haven’t liked Roger since he spit on Boston when he left. We loved him here. Then he gave us a reason to dislike him. Now he’s giving us a reason to remember why we don’t like him. I’m happy he got caught cheating. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy,lol.
Kick these guys out for life and strip them of everything!
Look at Pete Rose, he was my idle as a kid. Baseball ruined his life because he wanted to make some bets. I still don’t think he ever won or lost on purpose through his betting. Atleast I hope….I think he was so confident, he was betting on his team all the time,lol.. But to me, Pete wasn’t a cheater and he was banned for life…Now I look back at that terrible decision. I still don’t think he should have got that kind of punishment. But at the time, it was a punishment that fit the crime.
All these guys using steriods should get consequences far worse than being banned for life. It would be a fair punishment to fit the crime.
I been reading your blog for a while, this is my first comment. Take care Curt, I hope you and your family have a great holiday season!
Lisa
December 20th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Hi Curt:
So, in the Katie Couric interview, A-Rod declined to speak out against his fellow ballplayers, saying something to the extent that she was putting him in an awkward position vis-a-vis the people he works with.
But, in strongly communicating your feelings about how Roger Clemens should return his Cy Youngs, you seem to be unafraid of drawing the ire of others in the clubhouse who’d rather you shut up.
This appears to the be the first step in getting all this mess behind us: People willing to speak the truth.
So, I would like to ask you some questions since the whole steriod thing seems to be a big clubhouse secret. I am under the impression that MANY ballplayers know and knew about the use of Performing Enhancing Drugs for many years. What did you know or see in the clubhouse? What was the locker room chatter on the subject like? How often did the topic come up and how many guys were doing the talking? I believe that if the general public really knew the locker room culture, we might come to understand the whole PED era. Only then will baseball be able to move forward. Right now, there’s too much unknown, and so as new pieces of information come out it’s like throwing another log on a dying fire. Just have a big ole’ bonfire and get it over with.
I would think that knew about the situation a long time ago. Since you are willing to speak out in such strong terms about Roger, let’s hear the full story. From you, and everyone. When did you first hear of PED’s in baseball and tell us the locker room story from that point on.
Thanks.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Again, Curt, you have an opportunity as one of the more vocal members of your union. Use the Red Sox and your popularity as a platform, kind of like you did in your pro-Bush rallies in 2004, to force the MLBPA and the players to accept Olympic level drug testing. If you are truly upset as a fan and a player, well you are in the unique position to make something happen. As a fan, I am looking only for someone to come out and try and fix the problem, I do not care about blame any longer.
My concern is not for who is guilty, my interests lies with who I know did not use steroids and showing as much respect and love for those players. When talking to my kids or my nieces and nephews I will make an effort to point out the players who play the game the correct way.
If you want a soapbox to express your views, well why not take on the real issue here: the fact that the players, owners, media and most importantly the MLBPA let this situation get this bad.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
I LOVE how all of a sudden everyone commenting knows the ins and outs of baseball…or has M.D. after their name.
It’s a little hyprocritical that people are telling Curt to shut his mouth…but are sitting here reading EVERY word he has to say.
Curt has the freedom to write whatever he wants (which he BOLDLY labels as his OPINION)…just like you have the freedom to click the X at the top of the screen if you don’t like what you see.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Hey yanksfanfor25,
You should check your facts before naming people who are not listed in the Mitchell Report. Neither Johnny Damon nor Trot Nixon were listed. So in the name of honesty as you should apologize for doing so!
December 20th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Well, Curt, how does Clemens go about clearing his name?
If you test him today, he’s going to test negative for steroids. Is that good enough?
Is there blood of his from 10 years ago that can be tested?
Ridiculous. The poster who pointed out several of your own teammates from the 04 World Series are in that report is right: you should return your World Series ring if Clemens should return his Cy Youngs. You guys cheated just as surely as Clemens did or, conversely, you guys didn’t cheat and neither did he because it hasn’t been proved.
The Mitchell report basically becomes a he-said, he-said sort of thing.
Move on…all of us baseball fans know the sport was screwed up with performance enhancing drugs for years and that now there have been moves to rectify the situation. Unless players admit their use, there’s nothing that can be done to retroactively right the wrongs and it’s just a knowledge will have to live with.
Enough with tossing names around and watching the mud stick to people.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Curt, the bible says to “judge not.” (Matthew 7:1)
December 20th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Okay Curt, so your telling us that Rocket benefited from the steroids, hence he won so many Cy Youngs? Is that it? Cause if thats the case, then you should return your 2001 Championship ring because you benefited from Matt Williams as your third basemen, who used HGH and anabolic steroids. So if Roger has to give back his Cy Young’s and you return your 2001 World Series ring, or does that not even matter to you because you’ve won with the Sox.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Long-time Jay trainer never saw evidence of Clemens pumping up
But Craig felt uneasy about Toronto’s hiring of the Rocket’s accuser
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/287274
Tommy Craig, who spent 25 years with the Blue Jays organization and was head trainer with the club during Roger Clemens’ 1997 and ‘98 seasons in Toronto, says he never saw anything to suggest the Rocket used steroids.
“Roger never gave me any reason to believe anything like that was going on,” Craig said this week from Florida, where, for the past year, he has worked as a trainer in Milwaukee’s minor league system.
“He was a hard-working fool, a guy that you’d wish every one of your players would model themselves after as far as fitness and training and, on game day, his focus and all that. But I never saw anything out of the ordinary. I mean, Roger didn’t get obviously bigger. He didn’t change, didn’t get a squeaky voice, didn’t have any hair sprouting out. I didn’t have any reason to believe anything was going on.”
Craig, however, did recall feeling “very uncomfortable” with Brian McNamee, who was hired on as the Jays’ strength and conditioning coach for the ‘98 season and who, last week, outed Clemens as an alleged steroids user in the Mitchell Report. Clemens has since vigorously denied all allegations.
“It was kind of shaky how he came aboard,” Craig said of McNamee’s hiring. “(Tim) McCleary (the Jays’ assistant GM at the time) hired him and I didn’t have a whole lot to say about it. I wasn’t that concerned, but he just didn’t have the best resumé of all the ones I looked at.
“I just never connected with him. I was very uncomfortable with the guy … right from the start. He was just shaky. You were very leery. You wanted to stay at arm’s distance. He was a pipeline (to McCleary) and I didn’t want to be the brunt of any of his stories.”
Craig, though, was well aware that Clemens and McNamee had established a close relationship.
“I ended chalking that up to the fact that Roger was probably going to do that with whoever our strength guy was,” Craig said. “I mean, he was the guy who took care of him when he was healthy … when he didn’t need me, so to speak.
“I really only even saw Roger pretty much on game day. He’d come in (to the trainers’ room) and I’d stretch him out, give him a shoulder rub, wrap his groin.
“Again, I didn’t see anything to back up any evidence anything like this (steroids) was going on. I never saw any paraphernalia, nothing like that. It may have been going on, but I didn’t see it in my arena, my area.”
December 20th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Curt I’ve always respected you as a player and for what you brought to Boston, but this is one of those cases where you should have let it play out a bit before throwing your two cents in. A player that jumps right out there and denies isn’t in any better of a position than a player who looks at his options before doing so. I’d like to give Roger the benefit of a doubt at this point since he has done nothing thus far to discredit himself. Let the chips fall where they may then pass your judgment down, but until then enjoy the holidays and worry about your own performance…
December 20th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Curt is just like AROD full of himself. Who cares if MLB player use or not is because of it that baseball is where it is now getting more popular every year. Curt should just MHOMFB (mind his own mother-fucking business). He is just mad he will never be as cared about and loved by fans like the great Roger Clemens is. AND YES I AM A RED SOX FAN.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
I may be totally mistaken, but aren’t you always one of the dudes leading the PA… who are totally against any and all testing (until forced upon by Congress)??
The PA’s argument is that other workers (office, construction, teachers) don’t have to get drug-tested.. but accounting and building are not 1) our national pastime or 2) monopolies.
I love what you’re saying about Clemens, but unless I’m wrong, shouldn’t you, as a leader of the PA, be arguing fervently for increased testing, instead of blocking the owners at every turn in their desire to clean up the game?
Would you be considered a sell-out to your fellow players if you came out publicly for increased testing? Just thinking out loud…
December 20th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
hey Curt, consider this: Technically you and every other individual in modern baseball are “cheaters” too. I’ll explain. Relative to an individual born in 1900, you have had tremendous “unnatural” advantages, i.e. from immunizations to nutrition to access to scientific literature relating to health, performance, and technique. What is a level playing field? In school, some groups of people get access to great study guides that correspond perfectly to the teachers’ tests. They do well and are rewarded, but for what? For having an advantage.
And then figure this, why should anybody admire natural ability. Oh, great, you were born with a body that naturally produces a great quantity of steroids. Let’s worship you for an advantage that wasn’t earned. To think for a second that you or any the other “standout” on the baseball field worked that much harder than the bench players is delusional. You and the rest of the pros made it to the big leagues because of a combination of things including: hard work, luck, and natural ability. It’s ridiculous that we as a society are so caught in natural/unearned ability. So my legs are longer than yours and I can take longer steps and because a sport is designed for people with longer legs I’m admired. The sport could just have easily been designed for people with shorter legs and then you’re admired. It’s a frickin joke. I admire the will not the resources.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
For those who may be confused about names that were NOT in the Mitchell report, please see below:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12142007/sports/it_sucks__damon_furious_at_being_named_o_848324.htm
Johnny Damon, Trot, and others were supposedly in the report, erroneously reported by an NBC station in NYC.
See the full Mitchell Report here:
http://assets.espn.go.com/media/pdf/071213/mitchell_report.pdf
December 20th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
A “grain assault”?? (reply #3) How funny are some of these nutjubs? Curt you have every right to speak your mind and you should be commended for doing so not reprimanded; regardless of each an every ‘other’ person’s opinion. When will people understand? And they are on YOUR site reading YOUR blog! I don’t need to stick up for you; I know that you must laugh too at some of your replies. And yet it is scary to know how unreasonably and rash some people think. Then they reprimand you for being rash. Strange world we live in. Not many true thinkers left. KEEP IT UP BUDDY. You’re one of the few good guys.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Dear Mr. Schilling:
Just to add on to your points about “Innocent until proven guilty”, this is not a test of how we live our lives. It is a legal standard which must be attained before a person may be deprived of his/her liberty by the state.
But, as O.J. Simpson found, while a test of “beyond a reasonable doubt” may be sufficient to allow you to continue to walk free, a test of “more likely than not” is sufficient for the state to attach and sieze your goods. In other words, one does not have to be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in order to be subject to civil consequences. This is, in reality, much more in keeping with how we live our daily lives. We don’t need proof beyond a reasonable doubt to decide not to extend credit to a deadbeat, avoid a thug in the street, or forbid our daughters from dating guys with six kids.
In my view, the loss of a Cy Young award, an Olympic gold medal, or the insertion of an asterisk next to your Home Run “record” are much more civil than criminal in terms of punishment.
Those who raise the “innocent until proven guilty” argument, in such cases are mere apologists.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
As a fan of the game, I would rather forget the 2001 World series…
Because some of the pitching numbers scream steroids.
If it walks like a duck…
December 20th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
I just love how all the bashers who want to call Curt Schilling ‘ignorant’ are almost completely illiterate themselves. I mean, “Grain Assault”, … are you kidding me?
Thank you Curt for sharing your opinions, especially from your rather rare perspective as a veteran MLB player. I think what also came through clearly is that you are even more so a fan of baseball. I think all of us who are or even just once were fans of Roger Clemens would like him to “say it ain’t so.” The court of public opinion is not subject to the rules of any courtroom.
Merry Christmas to you Curt and all of your family, and to all of Red Sox Nation.
(I understand you have some new jewelry on the way, but I guess you have to wait ‘til April to get it)
December 20th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
“Give back the Cy Youngs? No, they should be stripped from Clemens if he is found to have cheated by the use of steroids, just as Jones had her gold medals stripped recently by the Olympic committee for the use of enhancing substances.”–howardsteinberg
I completely agree with that. Also, wouldn’t Clemens WANT to clear his name? Wouldn’t he WANT to do any and everything in his power to make sure everyone knows he has never used? Why would he want that shadow on his career?
And one more thing, since this is just a blog, and it does belong to Curt, he is entitled to his opinions, right? So I think the people who don’t like it, shouldn’t read it. That simple.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
The longer Clemen’s waits to take legitimate measures to clear his name, the guiltier he will look. Nuff said…
December 20th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Curt Curt Curt,
alot of hot air, with little to no substance. Surely you were aware of the use of steroids by some of the many players you played against, as well as with. Why didn’t YOU do the right thing and stand tall and speak out? Why? Chicken.
This holier than thou is exactly what I would expect from you. Easy as always to stand on the side lines, with or without a bloody sock, and judge people on the evidence that frankly wouldn’t be admissable in any court here in the U.S or a third world country. You’re a blow hard, and now you smack of cheap jealousy. Should your record show deductions in k’s if you struck out juiced ballplayers? You want Roger to defend himself from the remarks of a batboy? What a joke.
Let’s put an * next to your name. Just because you have a ring, doesn’t make you a winner. You’re the reason for the term sour grapes. I can only imagine what you would have said if you had come in second to Roger in Cy Young voting. Grow up Curt, your induction into the hall of shame will be unanimous, and your blog, well, shouldn’t you be training? With the last few seasons you’ve put in, I’d think you’d be embarrassed to throw a rock from your own glass house.
Curt Shilling, loser, cry baby, old man. How about you tell the world what you did while your team mates were getting juiced? Leader? I think not.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
And a quick reply to reply #90. Dude give up your allegiance for the sake of the game. Give us a break. The WHOLE sport has been infected. Yes it disgusts me, but you can’t go rewarding one team and penalizing another, it makes no sense.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
An alternative suggestion to deletion or asterisking of records: keep the records, but replace the player’s name with the performance-enhancing drug they took. So the 2001 Cy Young award now belogs to Winstrol (or whichever steroid was used); the all-time home run record belongs to flaxseed oil; and so forth.
Also, as a lifelong Sox fan, I don’t know what’s going to be harder: accepting that a longtime hero (Clemens…even after he joined the Evil Empire) is probably unworthy of Cooperstown…or admitting that Dan Duquette actually wasn’t the raving idiot I’ve repeatedly accused him of being.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
So many diverse opinions, its obvious everyone agrees to disagree. You have made your opinion known, you stand up on issues and are not afraid of sports talk show beatdowns or newspaper jockeys opinions about YOU. Good for you!
It’s refreshing to hear a professional athlete talk intelligently, with an insider’s viewpoint. There are very few athletes that take a stand publicly, regardless of how their thoughts may affect their status or popularity. At the very least, people know where you stand, and why. You have cajones, Curt!
As you said, if Clemens was innocent, why isn’t he pursuing legal avenues of approach? Why did he wait to make a statement? Is he the ONLY one that is ‘mistakenly’ named? Common sense tells us otherwise.
As for the game of baseball, it will go on with or without these juiced up statistics. Whether the stats stay or go, thats a matter for the commish and his directors to decide. We can voice our opinions, but it’s not likely they’ll take our advice. They WILL however, listen to the Players…. and that is who should ultimately have a say in these decisions. You guys played, you know how difficult it is to reach the professional plateau… and stay there, naturally.
Thanks for posting. It’s great to hear what you, and perhaps others like you, are thinking. At least you are also saying it !
December 20th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Curt you can not give back awards or rings. All this misery is now part of the history of the game. However, an asterick and a footnote would be a good thing for the record books.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
My opinion on this matter is……well see when it comes to you Mr. Schilling, you always seem to be the self appointed “voice of reason” regardless if its your opinion. You always seem to rub people the wrong way because you act like your sh*t dont stink. It also doesnt matter about your willingness to say you screwed up or you were wrong. You only do that so people can say, “you see, he mans up and admits his faults”. Dude the only thing I can agree on is that what these ball players did was not right and the whole era was more than likely tainted. Some how you always have to throw in your two cents to get a reaction out of the media. I normally wouldnt entertain this but I just wanted to share my thoughts.
Play out your final year and go home. I respect your game but not your mouth.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Dear Curt,
Having watched and listened to your big mouth since you arrived in Boston, I have come to the conclusion that if you don’t shoot off your big mouth, now one will know who you are. How can you condemn Roger Clemens when you don’t have any evidence such as a failed drug test that could show him as guilty? How do we know you did not take a shot of something or rub “Clear” on your bloody sock ankle? My guess it was ketchup anyway but that is a story for another day. How can you be so hypocritical by mouthing off at Clemens on your blog but when you had an audience at the congressional hearings your silence was deafening? I’ll leave by saying that your head is so full of yourself I’m surprised your hat fits.
Sincerely,
Ron “Ketchup Kid”
December 20th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Curt wants Clemens to give up his Cy Young awards, then should he give up his World Series rings because he did play with guys who used steriods…
What a joke… Think before you speak….
December 20th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
curt enjoyed watching u pitch a ball game, though i am not a rabid fan, at least u have shown that having intergity for the game is what’s most important, another former player to whom intergity for the game was most important was cal ripken anyways best of luck to u in the coming season.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
the only reason why you werent on the mitchell report Curt is because George Mitchell is the Director in your front office
along with Varitek also
December 20th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I’ll admit Clemens was a cheat when you admit to putting ketchup on that sock…nobody bleeds from ligament damage.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Curt, I understand what you are saying from a fans standpoint. The problem is this. It is almost impossible to prove. I was a young waiter in 1983, and the IRS did an audit of my return. They came back to me saying they thought I earned almost $40,000. in tips that year. I had made around $16,000 most of it was claimed anyway. When I went to my meeting with them, they told me I had to prove I DIDN”t earn the money. There was no way to do that. Even with bank statements, and an expense list for the year they said I did not prove I didn’t make the money. I ended up paying the tax just to get them off my back. It is kind of the same thing with Clemens. If fans are only going to forgive based on proof he can’t provide, Then he might as well just pay the tax. Anyway thats how I see it.
Cardog44
P.S. I didn’t read every comment so if my first post is redundant, sorry about that!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Hey Curt!! Yoo-hoo…
It’s time to eat!!!…….come down from that 50-foot high soapbox of yours.
Steel-town.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Shill,
I agree with you up to a point. My problem with this whole situation is how EVERYBODY in baseball, including fans, knew that there was a steroid problem during the “Era” but turned a blind eye to it. You could compare it to the Army’s “Don’t ask, dont tell” policy. Now that baseball is being called out on the carpet, they might as well use Oliver North as a spokseman and answer “I don’t recall” at all the press confrences, acting like this is the biggest news they have ever heard. I am dissapointed at some of the names on the list, but feel that you can’t punish them after letting them do it in the first place. Taking away awards will only lead to a witch hunt, and will never let baseball recover from this. What should be done is put a giant * for the whole era and let future generations learn from it. If baseball takes the proper steps in testing and punishment from here on, they can curtail the use of banned substances. But just like everything in life, the harder you make it for people to cheat, the more ways they will find to beat the system.
It’s great to hear a player give his honest OPINION on current events, and is something that isn’t done enough. Keep up the GRAT work on and off the field, and I can’t wait to see my SOX take the Series again in ‘08!!
Chris Bearup
Delmar, NY
December 20th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Let me ask your opinion on whether Mitchell’s repsonses to the first question and the last question were prepared and contrived? That’s my opinion, that they were. The questions were planted, the answers prepared! My gosh he was practially reading number 1. I don’t get you calling out Clemens or anyone else for that matter. Tell me this about the amazing shrinking Varitek, did he get smaller from one year to the next or is it that Fenway got bigger? Same for Pudge Rodriquez, did he get smaller or is it my imagination? You better start calling out everyone or leave them all alone to dwell with their own conscience. That’s my opinion.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Curt, I normally like what you say, but I have to disagree here. You can’t change the past, only the future. Bud Selig and major league baseball have already done that with the steroid rules and bans. If you want to put asteriks next to every play named in the Mitchell Report, go ahead. If you want to further investigate some of the players using PEDs since 2004 and, if you find out for sure that they used them during the time period that they were banned, feel free to suspend them to start the 2008 season. But to go back and erase everyone who used PEDs from the record books, will be a tough, time consuming, overly complicated task that, in my opinion, would be somewhat pointless. Plus, you can’t be certain how many wins, strikeouts, cy youngs, that Clemens, among other players, had gotten if they had never used steroids. Plus, you’ve got the issue that many of the hitters he faced were on PEDs. Can you really imagine everything that would have happened if no one ever used steroids, because that would be the only right way to rewrite the record books. That just seems to complicated. I think what you have to do is just, put your asteriks if you want, give your suspensions if you want, but just forget the Steroid Era, knowing that you can’t change it, and move on.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Hey Curt,
1) You were quoted in the past as saying “50% of players are using HGH & steroids, and 50% are thinking about using.” I am assuming that you were in the latter group.
2) You were quick to apologize and rescind your comments about Bonds “alleged” steroid use only after he hinted at a lawsuit.
3) You suggest that we go back in time and take away stats & awards from anyone guilty of using PED’s, I think that to really show how strongly opposed you are to people benefiting from drugs, since you are such an honorable person, you should be the first to step up to the plate. Here is an idea, give back the 2001 ring you won, a direct benefit from the users that were on that team, Matt Williams comes to mind quickly.
4) Enough with all of these players not being elected into the HOF due to PED’s. If so many players were using during the “steroid era” then they were on an equal playing field. If the PED”S didn’t help the Knoughblachs, Vina’s and all the other less than stellar players on this list achieve HOF careers, than obviously it takes more than just a drug to achieve that status. If you look at the Giambi’s, & Gagne’s of the report, players who were at the top of the game at one point in their careers, the PED’s obviously didn’t seem to “extend” their careers. In fact it was the opposite, they broke down pretty damn quick because of the PED’s.
5) Finally Curt, stop acting so damn naive about steroids, your GM knew that Gagne was a user, yet still made the trade. Anyone that is so shocked about the report is either a fool or lying. From commissioner Selig down to the fans, everyone knew about it. It’s all about the money. McGwire and Sosa brought fans back to the game after the “1994 War of Millionaires”. Steroids only became an issue after Canseco’s book caught the attention of Congress, and baseballs anti-trust status was threatened. If not for that book, baseball would still be Roiding.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Curt….I totally agree with you, and have agreed for a long time. Barry Bonds, and the others who have been proven to have used steroids, or HGH to further their careers should not get awards, get into the hall of fame (with or without an asterisk), etc. What does that teach our children? That its okay to cheat, you will still get what you are after?
These players that have used PEDs should not be treated the same as the players who haven’t used them, for one simple reason…they cheated. I believe that the players who use PEDs shouldn’t be recognized for their accomplishments, because are those accomplishments really their own, or are they owed to the steroids? In my mind, once someone starts using drugs like that, they can’t ever know if they would have had the same successes that they did while using, than if they had never started.
Also, I liked Clemens too, but seriously, did ANYONE believe that he wasn’t using something? Come on….he’s HUGE….wasn’t that big in his younger years….usually people don’t get more muscular with age? Also…..take a look at him….he’s getting up there for a pitcher, and has gotten SO massive….did anyone actually think that this was natural??
Thanks Curt!! Love You!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Curt, as a player you know better than anybody that the list should be more like 60-80% of the entire league, instead of 60-80 players. So why don’t you set the example by giving up your world series rings from ‘04 and ‘07 considering that you know for a fact that guys on your team were using ped’s and that they contributed to you personally winning a ring.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Curt your so jealous of Roger its not even funny. Like someone stated in another post that when you where pitching with the bloody ankle that you had to have taken some form of meds in order to overcome the pain. Get off your high horse and lets see them prove that each and everyone of these players took banned substances. I think you need to make a phone call and apologize for you statements.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
What a hypocrit!! Take both of his Red Sox rings away then. Damon and Gagne were on the report also. It makes no sense to me to talk when everything for the last fifteen years is tainted. They know what they were doing. We knew what they were doing and we enjoyed every last second of it. Go Yankees!!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Curt’s comments do not address the core issue still of baseball. There is no wasy to test for HGH at this point and the records will most likely be tainted still going forward. How is punishing Roger going to help the whole culture of baseball players doing anything to move ahead. Baseball managers, owners and commissioners knew this was going on and for the most part looked away. By doing this they gave their approval to all that went on. It is good to finally clean away some of the old cheats from the game, but lets not forget that the whole culture of baseball sullied the game and tainted all records for fifteen year while this was going on. Making scapegoats of Roger or Barry or whoever is not solving the main issue of bringing the game back to a game. The focus should be on testing for HGH and whatever else is on its way and moving the game back to where it should be focused: on the fans who watch the game and ultimately pay these players and owners to ensure it is played fairly between the lines.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
I believe those who are mentioned in the report for the use of hgh or steroids, must repent from their sins and come clean for the good of the game. I am also a big fan of the ROCKET however cheating is cheating, sin is sin. If and I say if the Rocket gets into the Hall of Fame then Pete Rose should as well.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Curt,
Asking Roger to prove his innocence is absurd. That would be like saying that you should prove that was real blood on your sock when you pitched after surgery in the playoffs in 2004. I’m not condoning the use of any steroids but I think the burden of proof should be on the accuser not the one being accused. As the Bible states, he who is without sin throw the first stone. I think there are plenty of major league baseball players who have used steroids and all sorts of other illegal drugs, so to villify this man’s career is ridiculous. Roger Clemens was great for baseball and still is and you should be careful when tossing fellow players under the bus because someone might have dirt on you that would be willing to expose it for the right price.
Robert Bagby
Austin, TX
December 20th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Too few wealthy people have the willingness — don’t want to use the word courage, because that’s what war heroes have — to speak of their beliefs and convictions. Thankfully, Curt Schilling does and that’s refreshing.
The United States was formed as the result of people like Samuel Adams and others speaking out against wrong and when people become “muted” — for whatever reason — then everything our forefathers risked their lives, their loved ones lives and, in many cases their fortunes for would be for naught.
Kudos to baseball people like Bob Feller and Curt Schilling who give you their honest opinion. Anyone who as a problem with that, just simply has a problem. Funny though how those self-righteous “blasters” of Curt don’t have a problem vehemently offering their strong opinions. Very typical of ultra-left, hypocritical Democrats.
Likewise, anyone who can’t fathom how steroid use is a serious issue also has serious problems. After all, how would you feel if your son had the smarts to not use steroids and had to compete for a minor league or MLB position against players that cheat with drugs that are harmful to their health? To turn a blind eye to that is blindness altogether, not to mention a repugnance for mental exertion. I surmise that those who criticized Curt Schilling on this site are mostly guilty players, their agents, friends and/or family members, because their logic is so misguided and twisted that no other explanation can be offered.
Finally, I coach an AAU team comprised of 7, 8 and 9-year-olds and I can tell you that kids are highly influenced by professional athletes. Resultant of Curt Schilling speaking up with sound and logical opinions against steroid use and users he is countering the negative influence cheating and lying players have on the youth of our country. For that I say, keep doing what you think is right Curt and don’t worry about the worthless criticisms of hypocritical lower primates. The future of this world rests with our kids!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Curt . . .I bet you’re tired of hearing this: Why are you picking on a former Red Sox Roger Clemens? If you think the Rocket should hand back his 4 Cy Young Awards for allegedly using ‘roids, then you should have applied that to Gagne another former Sox for his feat of sixty-three consecutive saves, a new Major League record. Should we go through all of baseball and remove all the records? It’s like bulldozing Cooperstown?
I am a die hard Yanks fan and that never stopped me from respecting your team especially this year. But that respect is starting to fall apart listening to this uneven handed approach you have to Clemens.
This is going to be one interesting matchup between the BoxSox and the Yankees. We still won the season’s series. But that was last year.
I wish you guys the best but this slanted demands directed at Clemens is uncalled for. It looks cheap!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Let’s start by saying innocent until proven guilty is what this country is founded on but instead of wasting taxs payers money on finding who has done performance drugs let’s find a soulition.
Like instead of giving a 10 game suspension make it point blank that at the start of the 2008 season everybody gets tested or make it random to be tested. here’s the punishment if it is found in your system 1. banned from baseball for life on the first offense the hell with second chances it is not like they don’t know what they are doing. 2. contracts null and void if found guilty. if they make it an extreme punishment they might think about it first. 10 games and lose of pay is like 20 bucks to the average person not a big deal. What a good time right now to start such an extreme thing.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Why is it no matter what happens, Schilling has to give his opinion. WHO CARES WHAT HE THINKS. You want Clemens to give back four Cy Young awards? Then you give back your world series rings because you know there were guys on those teams who did steroids.I can’t wait until Schillings name come up in a steroid report. Then we can tell you to give back your Cy Young awards-oh wait, you don’t have any.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
How can we deny Pete Rose to the Hall, when all these cheaters are going to get in. In my book taking “roids” is worse than Pete Rose betting on his own team to win. I totally agree with the last entry, that it is on these players to refute these claims.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Hey YanksFanfor25 (Giambi, come on man?)…
Might want to look at that Mitchell Report again.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3153646
Neither Trot or Johnny Damon are in it. That was the fake leak that came out beforehand.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Reading these comments shows how sad it is when society is so messed up. The players are just guys who have been raised in our culture so now they do what we’d almost expect them to do …. anything it takes to perform better and make more money.
From seeing Roger Clemens over the past 20 years is anyone really surprised that he would cheat? I mean if Andy Mettite did then why would we think Roger wouldn’t?
As far as Roger “proving” that he didn’t is a moot point. He cannot prove that he “didn’t” do it any more than Curt Shilling could prove that he didn’t take them. No … the evidence that someone actually “DID” take them is what matters. As Curt Shilling says the people of the country react differently than the presumption of innocence. He’s right but that is almost as evil for our nation than ballplayers taking steroids!
If people tend to assume “guilt” that can only happen for one reason … they know that they would be guility if given the circumstances to do the same thing and the same things were at stake (money & fame.)
I love baseball. Have played at college and semi-pro levels. Have coached Div-I college all-stars. I did a pitching clinic with Roger Clemens back in the summer of 1989 or 1990. I’m PASSIONATE about the game. I do not watch the game no where as much as I used to and I certainly am not the avid follower of MLB that I used to be. I still love watching and coaching H.S. kids. Curt and co. have already gotten their money so quite frankly my slide as a MLB fan doesn’t conern them.
If we didn’t have such a huge influx of hispanics in our nation the game would have no future since most of the players are hispanic these days. The game is in trouble but no more than our schools, corporations, and entertainment industries. What a shame.
I guess in a small way it’s situations like these that drew me to give up the business world to pastor a church. There is only one hope for mankind. That’s why we have Christmas. The Gospel of Jesus Christ would impact baseball and everything else if people would believe.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Curt, you’ve nailed this. Ignore the lunatics who can’t seem to understand that this is your OPINION. We can choose to agree or disagree with you (I happen to wholeheartedly agree). Instead, they’ll continue to display an unbelievable level of ignorance of the subject (not to mention horrid spelling and grammar: where were these people educated?) From our earliest days, we’ve learned to correct misinformation about ourselves and protect our innocence. Roger simply protests. Compare those shots of him in the bullpen at Shea Stadium at the ‘86 World Series with images of him last season — reminiscent of the oft-shown video of Bonds’ first home run as a lanky rookie vs. his outsized physique of recent years. No one complained about those comparisons before (except Bonds), it’s fair to do the same with Clemens.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
you know what curt, shut the hell up!!!!!!!!!!! clemens dint take take whatever. you are jealous of him and his great achievements and you know you can never be as good as him. what a nosy person, quit getting into other people’s businesses, sheesh!!!!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Among other things, this issue is about accountability.
Major League Baseball should have know about performance drugs. If they did they knew and did nothing. They are accountable for lack of action.
If they did not know, they should have.
They are accountable for not properly monitoring the sport.
The players before Congress. They are all accountable for providing evading, misleading information and/or lying. Others should be held accountable for saying nothing if they knew the truth.
The Mitchell report.
In this country, you are innocent until proven guilty. This entire process funded by MLB was, in effect, a giant farse. This was no court of law, this was no indictment, this was an effort to prove to the country that MLB was actually doing something about a problem that they knew exsisted, or should have known. Where do the players have the opportunity to confront and cross examine their accusers? MLB is accountable for setting up this very flawed process to cover their six. Why? Well, it could be there was a little warning from Congress: “Clean it up or we will.” Nice try MLB, but the true thinkers about this issue are seeing right through your attempt to cover your tracks. Ultimately MLB is accountable for allowing this to happen.
Some one tell me what prevented MLB from looking into this issue years ago? Exactly who knew what and when, and what do they do about it at that time? Who at the MLB level has stepped up to the plate and taken responsibility for their lack of action?
The Mitchell Report does nothing but place another black eye on the sport in general. The former Senator is accountable, he should have known better.
The players named.
Only one really, no kidding, matters. Just one. The Rocket.
This man is a living legend across all sports, not just baseball.
His legacy has been severly tarnished. He has been slandered.
A man with nearly unlimited funds would only do one thing to clear his name. Sue them. In a time where lawsuits are a dime a dozen, a reasonalbe person could presume that the Rocket would file a massive lawsuit to clear his name and reputation.
If he knew he was innocent.
It really doesn’t matter what he says, what matters is what he will do, if anything.
Let’s wait and see how this plays out, let’s wait and see who stands up and takes responsiblity for their actions, and let’s wait and see who does nothing.
Let’s see who is accountable for their actions.
JC
December 20th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Curt, are you still smarting for Roger dressing you down the way he did when he said you were more dedicated to eating burritos than pitching? While you claim it’s served as great motivation for your career you now bite the hand of the man that made you half a man! You should bow to the majesty of Roger, repent for your reprehensible comments, and stop the hate mongering on the guy that makes you look like minor leaguer.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Hey I think Curt is right, Roger is a cheat, liar and a fraud. He didn’t win by being natural, end of story. If the pitchers who came in behind him in the voting were clean, then they are rightful winners.
Same with Lance Armstrong who is a world class cheater, and the list goes on and on.
Why do so many American athletes have to cheat to win? It seems that everytime we hear of an american athlete winning or dominating in sport they turn out to be steriod users.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
I’m curious….what type of grain is used in a “Grain Assault”?
Wheat?…..rye?…….soy?
These are the questions that really need answering……..screw steroids….I want to know how to prepare for the next Grain Assault!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
I think Roger Clemens is the best pitcher of our era, and probably a top 3 or 4 all time guy…my own personal vote for number one would be Bob Feller, partially based on my Cleveland bias, but mostly based on the stats that he accumulated in his “war” shortened career.
I want to believe that Clemens is clean, and his work ethic leads me to believe that he likely is, but I too would like some stronger form of proof. Here is my major knock on the guy. I have a young son, and we have begun to share sports experiences, and I try to think how I would explain to him the bat throwing incident with Piazza in the 2000 Series, or the fact that Clemens only wants to pitch in game after the all-star break. The I compound that with the Mitchell report. In a business where grown men get have the priviledge of playing the game of our collective childhood dreams for millions of dollars, I think we deserve some moral high ground.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
I will stand by my earlier comment. Roger has no need to clear his name. These are slanderous statements. What he should do is sue Major League baseful and distance himself from people like Curt Schilling who try to make themselves look like the hero. What has he done - you, Curt Schilling, show me the proof - I don’t see any cancelled checks with Roger’s name on it - just some hearsay from a guy who is facing some hard time in prison. Unless you are ignorant as to how the system works - you rat out some people and then they reduce your sentence. Half the time the people you rat out are big time and high profile people that haven’t done a thing wrong - but it takes the heat off of you for a while.
Wake up - Curt - you prosecuting a guy who saved your career will not make you a better pitcher than him. Not ever. Keep dreaming of bloody socks, my friend.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Hey Curt:
I remember this past season when one of your own team mates accused you of being full of Boston Beans when you came out in your bloody sock. Its funny how you and Marion Jones act with the same arrogance that you would never ever juice up. Yet, she was caught and Jose “the rat” Canseco says he was suprised that more names were not on that list. I wonder Curt. I really do. You act like your this straight edge reighteous role model but at 40 something and the injuries you suffered in past years makes me wonder if you had anything in your system.
- The Mav
December 20th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Man now I know the reason you support Bush. You really are an idiot. Ever here of guilty until proven innocent?
Good god man can’t you keep your mouth shut for five seconds while your brain processes what might come out of it?
We all know he did the steroids numb nuts. His name will be tainted for the rest of his life regardless if we ever get a picture of the needle sticking out of his ass. Stick to baseball Schilling.
I used to look up to you when you were in Philly man, but now you have turned into some empty headed jock that supports a corrupt administration and stumps for a politician that enjoys eroding my civil liberties.
Talk about Mike Vick and the idiots that were “free Mike” t-shirts and the effect that has on kids
December 20th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
You’re just jealous cause he’s better than you.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
mlb and its rules are the real problem here. did any of the alleged actions by RC take place while these actions were against the rules of mlb? you can not break a rule if your actions took place before the action is disallowed. if RC used performance enhancers when they were not outlawed by baseball then he (and the others) did nothing wrong. if they obtained and used the drugs through illegal means, then they did not break the rules of baseball but they then would have broken the law. and, under those circumstances the legal authorities have the right to prosecute any of the players who obtained the performance enhancing drugs through illegal means.
a foaming rant by one apparently sanctimonious athlete agaisnt another simply brings my thoughts to the saying, “people who live in galss houses should not throw stones”. CS can not hold a candle to RC in terms of accomplishments in baseball. not many pitchers can even get close. RC may be viewed as an arrogant, stubborn bore but CS comes across as a sanctimonious coward filled with jealousy.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
The steroid story is he said/he said. Well Mr Bloody Red Sock you sound like a she said, bitching about others before you know the whole story.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
{ What was your first thought when you saw OJ driving his Bronco down the freeway in a high speed chase? }
My thought was: If my wife and some buddy got killed in front of a condo - I would call the police. Have them pick me up asap. I would co-operate with them and I woulda NEVER - NEVER DROVE OFF IN SOME FREEWAY LIKE A LUNATIC RUNNING AWAY FROM THE SCENE, PLAYED GOLF EVERYDAY OF LMY LIFE ASKING OTHERS “WHERES THE REAL KILLER”; MADE A BOOK ON HOW TO “KILL MY OWN WIFE”; etc….
You got nothing to hide? you got nothing to be scared of then….
People make mistakes, people move on….
The steroids thing? If it was banned, why use it to begin with ? happy holidays people.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
more whining from dead sox nation
December 20th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
It is funny how you spout off about other people but don’t take any slack for yourself. One thing is correct, one part of baseball’s history will be tainted. Are you going to ask Joe Jackson to give back his shoes? no,because Joe Jackson didn’t have shoes. Why would you ask Clemens to give back his Cy Young’s? I bet CC Sabathia used some sort of dietary drug this past year, are you going to ask him to give his Cy Young back? Clemens may have done steroids or HGH and probably did because of his friendship with Pettite, but why not talk about something more important like the war in Iraq or the impending presidential race. To me, the mitchell report is a waste of time because no one can prove anything in it as true unless someone confesses. A copied check tells me two things, who wrote the check and for how much. By the way, congrats on your World series this year. Sorry it was at the expense of my tribe. Why not come over to Cleveland and give us a hand. We haven’t won anything since 48′. Why didn’t you come over in the late 90’s? Was there something you had against Cleveland? Finally, My cousin Jim Tatum played for the Rockies, Mets, Brewers and Padres. Do you remember him? He played from 1989-1996.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
…and another thing. Most of the american troops in Iraq are doped up too so I think they should be under the microscope.
The greatest athlete in all of sport on the planet was Wayne Gretzky. Just run the numbers baby, nobody compares to the Great One. No steriods, no PED’s nothing, just pure old fashing talent.
Just so you know, he’s a Canadian.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
CURT,
FROM YOUR DAYS IN PHILLY I LOVED WHAT YOU SAID AND DID. TODAY I STILL AGREE WITH YOUR INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUES THAT CONCERN BASEBALL. IF THE MVP, CY YOUNGS ARE TO BE GIVIN BACK THEN THERE ARE A FEW TEAMS OUT THERE THAT NEED THEIR RINGS RETURNED BACK TO MLB.
IF THE IOC TAKES BACK THE METALS THEIR TRACK AND FIELD STARS GET AFTER THEY HAVE CHEATED, AND THE TOUR DE FRANCE TAKES THE YELLOW JERSEY BACK, WHAT THE HELL IS MLB DOING?
AND IF THAT MEANS THE 04 SOXS THEN SO BE IT. AT LEAST YOU CAN STILL LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND KNOW THE YOU DID THE RIGHT THING.
IT IS MUCH EASIER TO ASK FOR FORGIVNESS AFTER ALL. PETE ROSE LEARNED THAT THE HARD WAY.
BE HONEST AND THE PUBLIC IS MUCH MORE ABLE TO FORGIVE AND THE 2ND CHANCES IN LIFE COME EASIER ALSO, THAT IS WHAT MAKES THIS A GREAT COUNTRY, 2ND CHANCES AND THE UNDERDOG!
GO PHILS IN 08.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Well I’ve noticed with all the things Curt has said “calling Roger out” well…….here goes my opinion…why should Roger show his innocence why cant you prove he did take steriods? Doesn’t the U.S.A go by “innocent till proven guilty”? so i ask you Curt can you prove it???
December 20th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Someone should tell Calio4life that Grain Assaults take place in the midwest, not NY.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
My .02
I have always been a baseball fan, until around 5 years ago.
I don’t care for the fans at the stadiums, some of the player’s messed up ego’s, hign pay and high cost and the bickering among each other about steriods.
I just want to watch the game. Now I watch very little of it.
I don’t care what each player’s lifes are like and if they want to cheat in the game. They are only hurting themselves. Not my problem.
My son was a very good baseball player, but quit during High School because of the bickering and politics.
I am very happy he did not decide to go to the big leagues, and so is he!
December 20th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Curt is doing nothing more than voicing his opinion. Keep in mind, he has access to more of a public forum than many of us do. So, on one hand, he’s echoing the thoughts of many by simply challenging Clemens - and others - to prove his innocence, even though he’s under no obligation to do so.
On the other hand, having such a forum & using it as a medium to offer an opinion rankles some to the point that they’d wish he’d shut the hell up, including those he’s calling out. Well, everybody has options on what they want to see & hear. Maybe some don’t like what he’s saying because facts are facts & egos - being what they are in some circles - don’t like to be challenged.
There’s something bigger at stake here than one guy’s opinion, however. And, it’s baseball’s legacy. My 8 year-old son and I are having too many discussions regarding steroids, the game he loves dearly (baseball), and players he chose to follow. That’s sad and something that’s getting lost in all the noise.
So, all those knuckleheads that are blasting somebody for voicing an opinion need to look at the bigger picture this whole Mitchell mess validated, which is that there’s a mess on the floor and somebody’s gotta clean it up. And, somebody’s gotta make sure there isn’t another spill.
This whole steroid melodrama makes you wonder what Pete Rose did that was so bad.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Curt,
Thanks for your opinion. It really helps in this time when I am seriously contemplating the future of my level of interest in the MLB. To be honest, it is hard to read some of these comments made to your opinions. I know you probably get so many comments coming through, but people need to realize (at the very least from the way you’ve put in the time sharing your thoughts on the WWW) your ability to listen to criticism, which goes far beyond your ability to play baseball. At the same time, your opinion is very valuable in a time like this…”wisdom vindicated by action”…giving encouragement to likeminded fans.
I don’t want to spend the little time today reading and commenting only to praise you. I only want to start out with the positive side. You see, I’ve played baseball most of my life, been an avid student of the game, and like yourself, hold strong well-thought opinions on the sport. I’m the type of fan who read the report immediately. I’ve followed your career, especially the time you won us a WS (not Boston)! The people who immediately say you’re not a Hall of Famer are (the biggest fools) ignorant of how the writers vote and what you’ve done in your career. Of course you’re not so concerned with that as the integrity of the game, and of which I am a grateful you fight these battles. Perhaps others have done a little of this, but it is my opinion many more must stand up and fight to represent the good or the precious pearl will be lost.
I’m not saying baseball will die nor the MLB because I don’t ever see this business coming to an end. There will always be a consumer for the cheap thrills it provides. Just like paying for movies, people love seeing action. However, hypocrisy will always have catastrophic effects. For example, where are we leading one another? I do believe parents are most responsible, but fact is many grow up without the most healthy parenting situation these days. Fact is that parents have a great opportunity to have most of the influence, but equally true that this world competes against them! The need for leaders in our world makes me think it will take so much more than ‘just revealing the past and moving forward’ for the MLB to gain any integrity lost. I don’t just ask, “what does this say about the sport?” because I don‘t think that says enough. Rather, what does this say about American values?
We need the players (athletes, former athletes, and other) of the MLB to be respectable. We need the light to continue to shine brightly. I don’t expect sainthood, but I do expect a high standard of morality of anyone (the same one placed on me), and especially for those at higher levels of leadership–those who influence more people. Only then will integrity outfight hypocrisy. Otherwise, the idea of integrity becomes hypocrisy, merely political.
[I'll write a few more emotionally deep thoughts addressed to you on my blog.]
December 20th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Curt - the only thing I have to say to you is shut your stupid pie hole.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Why didn’t talk Schilling this way when he was in front of congress? He had alot to say about steroids prior to meeting with congress, then had nothing to say in washington
December 20th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Curt,
It’s amazing that in the 21st Century where majority of Americans are not without “sin” and involved in drug addiction, people addicted to pornography, adulterers, tax cheaters, spouse abusers, and other vices, that we can find a soap box and blast sports figures for cheating. Most people cheat. The courts are full of cheaters. The jail is full of cheaters. Sports stadiums are full to the brim with cheaters. Does it justify the cheating that went on and still goes on in MLB? No. Absolutely not. My 8 year old boy loves baseball and aspires to be a major league ball player some day like most America young boys. Trying to teach him right and wrong is even diffcult in the context of sports. Look, cheaters make millions of dollars and get fame and acclaim. Kind of a hard sell to tell him cheating is bad amongst this nonsense. But this report and so called witch hunt is good for baseball and America. There are consequences for not doing the right thing. What better lesson for my son and others out there that watch you and your colleagues with awe. I don’t teach him that it’s wrong to admire you guys. I teach him you are human beings just like us who have a gift and a responsibility at the same time. Not a responsbility to raise my children or be an example to them, but to be a viable and accountable citizen, just like the rest of us. I applaud the players that haven’t cheated. I applaud those who have and are remorseful and trying to make up for it. Thanks for your blog. I admire your stand and your position. Good luck next season. My Tigers are looking to unseat you and your Red Sox in the post season next year. May you throw no hitter after no hitter, except when you play my boys.
David Bachman
Ypsilanti, MI
December 20th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Why didn’t Schilling talk this way when he was in front of congress? He had alot to say about steroids prior to meeting with congress, then had nothing to say in washington
December 20th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Mr. Schilling owes us all a further explanation of his “cheating standard.”
For example, Whitey Ford and his battery mates, have described the wonders worked by Ford’s wedding ring and Elston Howard’s shinguard. Should Whitey give up some victories?
Various Red Sox officials have described “modifications” to the grass and infield to advantage the Fenway home team. Should those games count?
What about Rogers Hornsby and others who admitted sought an edge?
Do we give Ted Williams extra credit for those dingers he missed while doing something much more important — flying a Marine fighter in two wars?
How about Big Papi’s clubhouse laptop and relentless examination of at bats during games?
What about Mr. Schilling’s own efforts to shine or otherwise enhance the ball during his career?
At the end of all this steroid mess, all we have is a report that won’t pass the laugh test. Suppose, for example, the New York Stock Exchange commissioned an investigation by a partner in a law firm when that partner was a director of one of the corporations under investigation? Suppose further that that partner produced a report which made any number of allegations based only upon the uncorroborated allegations of a defendant seeking a plea deal? Suppose … well … we could go on for a while here.
Negotiate some rules and standards and move on. If we, as Mr. Schilling suggests, need to rewrite history. Let’s start by examining such records as exist of all of his appearances and interviewing everone he has ever associated with during his career.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Here is my whole problem with the steroid era. In 1995, the year after the strike, I was able to go to a game at Dodger Stadium and sit on the Field level for $15. Those same tickets today are $60. That is a 400% increase. Now I can hear the wise person saying that is inflation. Well in 1983, I sat in those same seats for $8, so yes there was some inflation but at less than 100% not 400%. What happend? Star power plain and simple.
Baseball became popular because it was an everyman’s sport. You looked at the players and they were no different than you and me except they had skills that set them apart. We could live just a little bit of our dreams thru these guys, our personal brothers. That all changed when these men morphed into the beast that we see out there today.
Steroids and other performance enhancers changed that. And we (the fans) like the dumb saps that we are bought into it because we still wanted to live a little bit of that dream. We might as well as just cheer for video games because honestly the player today are just as make believe.
My favorite part today is the player who said they took the stuff to recover from an injury. “So you were dealt a bad break, you were also dealt a great break by being blessed with the skills you were able develop just to be able to put on that unform.” I guess once the big checks come rolling in they forget about how lucky they are and just worry about the greed they have develop. “I’m just trying to help my family”, aren’t we all? I guess he who stops counting their blessings, count their money instead.
Which brings me to who is to blame? The players made more money. Average salary in 1995 was $1.07 million, average salary today is $2.95 million. That is almost a 200% rise. Don’t forget they added over 75 jobs during that time (two new teams plus a roster expansion from 24 to 25). The owners also made more money (remember the 400% increase). Okay my salary did go up more than 200% during that time but I did graduate from college the following year and $9/ hr lifeguarding is pretty easy to triple. So the players and owners benefited and we paid 400% more. I guess it is easy to see who is to blame (as long as you have a mirror).
December 20th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
One more thing. For some reason i was shocked that there are pitchers on juice. Not sure why i was shocked, but apparently i am not the only one. If pitchers are juiced, and the batter is juiced, shouldn’t that even things out a bit? i mean , it might seem funny, but what advantage did anyone have. If steroids are as wide spread as they say, who was being advantaged? The back up to the back up catcher maybe. But who else? I look at a lot of guys in the league, and I have heard they were on the stuff, but they look smaller then my leg. How did steroids help Nook Logan? The guy has been bounced around. Sure he’s fast, but so what? He can’t hit to get on base.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
To everyone complaining about what Curt is saying……This is his blog, and he can say whatever he wants. Just because he is a baseball player does not mean he is not aloud to say what he wants to say. If what he is saying bothers all of you, do not read it, do not look at it, do not think of it…It just proves that your ignorant comments and jealousy is getting the best of you. Make your own blog and talk about what you want, in your blog, other than that…shut up and quit complaining like 12 year olds.
Go Tigers.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
why not talkabout the difference between records attained or championships gained from surgery and from substances? Steroids and hgh weren’t “illegal” in the game until recently, right? so what’s the problem? If a mediocre pitcher gets “tommy john” surgery (where a STRONGER tendon from the hip replaced the broke one from the elbow) and pitches 10 more years - like Tommy John - should his records be asterisked? 1920 era pitchers couldn’t have the surgery. If a player gets a cortizone shot, (legal, steroid-like substance) and recovers to win game seven of the world series, should that be asterisked? If a guy gets his ankle stitched and ……………….
December 20th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Touche, Curt. Sure, in theory, innocent until proven guilty should be the approach. However, Clemens could have come out immediately following the Mitchell report release and proclaimed his innocence. Instead, it took him 3 days. It doesn’t take 3 days to state the truth. It should have taken about 30 seconds to come up with “No I didnt dope and I’ll sue you for defamation.” If you didn’t do it, you don’t wait 3 days debating whether you should tell anyone.
People, this is what the game needs! It needs clean players to speak out and let the world know that they are not going to stand quitely beside cheaters and frauds. After all, the integrity of the game is theirs to lose too.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Hey Curt, you f’n freak!!!! You have to be the most jealous of Clemens rivals. You sit there and hide behind your computer and open your mouth and nothing but crap comes out. There’s a name for people like you. “Cry baby” comes to mind 1st. You fail to remember that in this country it is suppose to be innocent until proven guilty. I think you do steroids. Now it’s up to you to prove me wrong. Do you think that would be a little hard to do? I honestly think you are jealous. Here’s a little bit for you, You, with steroids would NEVER be half the pitcher that Clemens is. People like you need to keep your mouth shut, that will keep you from looking so f’n stupid
December 20th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
The sucky thing about NOT cheating is being lumped in with those who do. That’s probably the fear of all the 90’s players who didn’t “use”, Curt Schilling being one of them. I really see a passionate guy here who is doing his best to separate the good from the bad, in hopes that history can look at the period of 1985 to 2005 with something less than an asterisk. Sadly, Curt, while I applaud what you are doing, the label of the “Steroid Era” is going to live forever, whether the accused come clean or not. Guilty is guilty, it doesn’t matter if it’s admitted. The fans of today and tomorrow will know you were one of the good ones, so take some comfort in that. But the damage is already done, Curt, so just let history write itself.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
I totally agree with Curt in this instance and see Curt as a human being and fan. Not a MLB pitcher who is jealous by any stretch. I gotta say that the fact that he hasn’t made any effort at all to clear his name is ridiculous. Actually what he and ALL the “other” names have done to prove innocense doesn’t look soo innocent does it.. I’ve been a fan of baseball AND the sox for as long as I can remember and Roger Clemens was my favorite growing up. If he took these “drugs” he should admit to it with dignity and respect. WE all make mistakes. Let’s get this out there and put it behind us. I’ll tell you it looks funny right around the time (1998) that Duquette said he’s done. He went on to win 4 more Cy’s. Either he worked extra hahd or “something” else. But, who am I to judge.
Bring another one home Curt and as far as being compared to Clemens, he didn’t win any championships here and YOU won two. I credit you for that and thank you for that. My grandparents can rest easy now.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
This is America “Innocent until proven guilty & I believe Roger over a sleazebag rapist — Curt get some evidence before you open your polluted mouth…Read Below:
McNamee got out of the pool, leaving behind the woman, who witnesses said appeared “out of it.” She said to the hotel employee, “Help me,” and then McNamee pulled her out of the pool and tried to put clothes back on her.
Employees called police, and an ambulance also arrived. It turned out the woman had ingested a near fatal dose of GHB, a powerful drug used by bodybuilders, teenage “ravers” and date rapists — who have used it to incapacitate victims. A bottle of the GHB was found on the pool deck.
Police investigated the incident as a rape and questioned McNamee the next morning.
The report of Detective Don Crotty, who questioned McNamee, cites McNamee as lying several times during the questioning: about where he first met the woman, saying it was the hotel lobby rather than another bar, as other witnesses said; and about his whereabouts over the course of the night. McNamee didn’t mention that he was with the woman with several other Yankees players in Chuck Knoblauch’s room. He denied to police that he even knew Wonsowicz, his college teammate and fellow Yankees employee. He said Wonsowicz looked familiar, and he might be a “green fly,” ballplayer slang for a hanger-on who looks for autographs.
For more than a month in 2001, McNamee was a suspect. However, no charges were filed. Early in the investigation, the woman lied to investigators about her reason for being at the Renaissance Vinoy hotel — she was having an affair with another Yankees employee who was married, and didn’t want to reveal that. When investigators realized this, they declined to pursue the investigation of McNamee. A few months later, the Yankees quietly let McNamee go. But Clemens and Pettitte kept using him as their personal trainer.
For the most part, he kept a low profile, though he did get into a legal squabble. In 2003, the Dontzin Law Firm, LLP, a New York City shop that represented him during the 2001 rape investigation, sued McNamee for $41,261.78 in unpaid legal bills. McNamee paid some of the money, getting the bill down to about $24,000, then stopped, claiming Dontzin’s firm was not licensed in Florida and should not have represented him there in the rape investigation. In the course of the litigation, McNamee said in court papers that he never received certain bills because he was living at a different address since he’d become estranged from his wife. The case was settled in 2004, and McNamee was ordered to pay $11,000 to Dontzin. The firm did not respond to ESPN The Magazine’s requests for an interview.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Whoever in here rips Curt is jealous yourself. Roger Clemens didn’t only beat out Curt for Cy’s, but, HE BEAT OUT EVERYONE you IDIOTS. Lemme guess, you are one of the ones who goes to a game and leaves early and the next day says oh, I was there last night. BS.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
CALLATE !!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Curty Jerky
Just remember! You point one finger at someone you are pointing 3 @ you! Look in the mirror and try it u toys r us kid.
Again I will say! When u wake up and look in the mirror, put a picture of Roger over yours, while you are touching yourself and then u will feel, just for a moment, what it is like to be a man.
A Red socks fan.
Trust me I am. You do not represent Redsock Nation.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
please, curt….
keep your opinions of those with more class than yourself, to yourself, until the presumed innocent are proven guilty. i would take the word of roger clemens over some locker room junkie trying to make a name for himself, anyday! roger said he never used, and we should believe him, unless there is corroberating evidence to the contrary. the onus is not on him to prove his innocence, but rather on others to prove his guilt. if he is found guilty of steroid use, then have at him. but remember, unless that use was illegal at the time, then it is less of a crime than throwing a spitball or using a file to doctor the ball, or corking a bat, etc. let’s wait and see how this plays out before you condemn the greatest pitcher ever. let’s also remember where mr. mitchell came from-our government-which we all of a sudden trust implicitly? i trust roger will do the right thing when the time comes for him to do so.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Mr Schilling,
You are so hypocritical.
Everyone says “performance enhancing” drug.
When you had your ankle surgery, you received pain medication to be able to pitch. How is that NOT a performance enhancing drug?
Let it all go!! It was the era. There has always been something and there always will be. Pete Rose was saying how disgusted he is with the players and he would have had 5000 hits. How many thousands of “greenies” did he put in his body throughout the 70’s and 80’s. Maybe he only would have had 3200, not 4000+. You probably would have had less wins and a higher era if some of your teammates didn’t use. What about their home runs or great defensive plays that got you wins?
There is absolutely no way to gage the affects towards every player.
Just clean it up now and move on. All records should stay, period!!
Thank you,
Tim Thompson
Campbell, Ca
December 20th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
What rules did baseball have in place regarding steroid use during the time that these players allegedly used the steroids?
Were these enhancments available over the counter as many are?
December 20th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I am saddened by the news of all these players being accused of steriods, whether they are innocent or guilty…..but who has to throw his two cents in but none other than Curt Schilling, guess he has to get his name in the paper for something cause we know it wont be for pitching well next season. Can he not deal with the fact that Clemens is far superior that he must try and take away the glory he does not deserve?? I had much respect for Schilling back when he played for the diamond backs. I guess Boston does turn players for the worse. Since he has joined up with the sox I have had NO respect for him as a person the way he carries himself. Most people will look at this and say thats just cause your a yankee fan you hate boston….<<<untrue I like a select few players (ortiz, beckett, mirabelli) namely ones who are not out there to ridacule other players to make themselves feel big. Now go and talk all you want about how clemens is a cheater he must return all his awards. The fact is he has done more great than you will ever achieve Schilling.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
The way I see it is that all the records and numbers are out the window right now. They are meaningless. The list is just the result of one angle of an investigation into the use of PED’s. How many other sources will be reveiled? As a Yankee and baseball fan all I can say is that this sucks for both the players and the fans.
What if Ken Griffy Jr. was the greatest hitter ever and he would have really broken Aaron’s record but didn’t because he had to hit against enhanced pitchers.
Bottom line is there is no way to know.
What’s disturbing is that there are not more players pissed off. What this says to me is that most of them are using or have used. If a guy cheated to get the job or salary I deserved I would raise hell. I don’t see a lot of players raising hell right now.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
I will never figure out why u can not just keep your mouth shut. You will never be any where in the same league with players like roger and barry. Your rings have came from u being surrounded by better pitchers than u. Finally this year u will be in your rightful spot in th rotation #5. So for everyones sake in America please don’t speak in public no more.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
There’s a reason the law states that you’re innocent until proven guilty. How do you prove innocence here? They can’t go back and submit to a drug test in the past. They can only take what he’s been accused of and give his side of the story.
You’re basing his guilt on hearsay nothing more… none of these accusations have been proven in a court of law. This was Mitchell’s report based on what he found. Give 10 people the same report to do for homework and you get 10 different views.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Great job at the Webster House last night. A great follow up from last year. As a member of the board it makes me feel great that you are doing this for all the right reasons.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
YOU ARE JUST JEALOUS. YOU NEED TO WORK HARD IN ORDER FOR YOU TO GET YOUR OWN AWARD OR RECOGNITION. DO NOT BAD MOUTH OTHER PEOPLE IN ORDER FOR YOU TO GET ATTENTION. PATHETIC.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Mr. Schilling,
Your comments are appreciated from the standpoint of a fellow fan. I have enjoyed being an MLB fan for over 35 years, but find it continuously difficult to accept the unabashed tolerance of the baseball regarding the use of various illegal substances. Mr. Clemens lost considerable credibility in my opinion when he stated that his return to baseball, rather than retire, was not precipitated by money. Had this truly been the case, then he could have remained in Houston to pursue that unquenchable desire to keep playing the game. This statement was B.S. and very few individuals that I know willingly accepted such nonsense. Mr. Clemens has demonstrated that his ego is only slightly larger than a penchant for trivializing his role in an otherwise illicit program.
Although you can individually stand on a higher moral pedastal based on your denial of engaging in illegal drug activity, your unwillingness to be candid in the face of a debacle that tarnishes the reputation of a national institution, is equally difficult to comprehend. If you are not willing to cooperate with the investigation based upon the premise of “ratting”, then you justly serve the American public by remaining silent on the issue. In light of what has transpired to this point, being a “good-guy” in this situation smacks of hypocrisy!
December 20th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Curt Schilling, as somewhat of a sox fan from maine, i believe you need to just shut up. your career was over 6 years ago with the d-backs. i believe you should just look at your own teams. Matt williams contributed highly to your 2001 world series ring, Are you saying that you’re going to give your world series ring back because you are so honest. Eric Gagne was in the Mitchell report, are you going to give back your 07 ring as well? why dont you look in your own backyard before you open your mouth and say that all awards and championships should be forfeited due to steroid connection because you yourself benefited from steroid use directly or indirectly. why dont you quit baseball and start doing politics because thats where you fit in, not in sports… your career ended long time ago you’re washed up so apreciate people who actually can still play and be affective. the sox should release you because you’re taking up more salary money than you are contributing to the club getting better.
thank you very much
December 20th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Curt,
I’m not a fan or yours or the Redsox for taht matter, but a huge fan of the game. You are a great pitcher and I would never take that away from you, but at some point in your career will you ever shut up. You seem to open up your mouth on issues that don’t concern you. It is ok to have your own opinion, but you take it to the extreme. I hate it, like I know you do that people have take illegal drugs in baseball, but who are you to make comments about other players. I find it strange that Mitchell’s reports only had 1 or 2 redsox on there because I know there has to be more. As a fan I’m not blind nor stupid it is destroying the game. As a Yankee fan it pains me to know that these guys took drugs to be better. I applaud you if you have never taken any, but how does anyone know if that is true or not. I’m not accussing you of anything, but you never know Mr. Bloddy sock. Bottom line is this I think it is not your place AT ALL to say that roger should give back his cy young awards. IF Manny or Big Poppi had been mentioned in the report would you have said they need to give back their rings or MVP’s I doubt it. Keep your comments to yourself. Basevall players should have a code of silence between the players and you broke the code in my opinion. Have a Great Holiday season.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Curt,
First off, I agree with you and I respect and appreciate your stance on these matters. But, I would like to change the subject and ask you a hypothetical and fun question!
Let’s pretend that you are making your last stop in the minors before being called up the big leagues (within the next year). You have two very good pitches; a very good & lively 4-seamer in the mid to upper 90’s and a very good (12-6 to 11-5) curveball (let’s say in the upper 70’s), a knee buckler as they say. When you get to this last stop, lets say that a well respected pitching coach takes you aside and says “Curt, I’m going to teach you 3 additional pitches to add to your arsenal, and three pitches only”. You are told that when he’s through, you will master these piches as well, and they will turn into good to very good “plus-plus” pitches to go along with your 4-seamer & curve.
My question is, which 3 pitches do you choose to add to your repatoire, and why? Let’s say you have a choice of..a 2-seamer, sinker, splitter, cutter, slider, or change-up. You get to learn three of these.
I know a few of these pitches are similar to one another so I’d like your take on which you’d choose and why. Would you choose a sinker or a splitter (you only get one of these) and why (between the similar pitches that is).
Would you choose a cutter or a slider, and why (since I think they are relatively similar).
Would you choose, for the fifth pitch, a 2-seamer or a change-up. Seeing as how you’d already have a great curve and great 4-seamer. Would you want another “change of pace” pitch, or is the great curve plenty to keep hitters off-balance? Or would you rather have another fast-ball with more movement down or in on righties? I would assume that you would choose a cutter or slider for bearing in on lefties (& away to righties) and a sinker or splitter which would be effective and down on both.
The way I see it you would be a 5 pitch pitcher and could come in or down and in on Lefties or righties, You could drop a curve, splitter or sinker off the table to either, and you would have at least one, or two, change of pace pitches.
So Curt, let’s have some fun. Hypothetically, which would you choose and why.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
What does it say about Roger Clemens that his personal trainer was a steroid peddler? If Clemens wants us to believe that McNamee is nothing but a complete liar, then what does it say about him, that he was associating with this so called “rat”? Accept this Roger, you are the company you keep, and you expect us to believe you knew nothing about what McNamee was doing?
December 20th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Hey Curt,
While I agree with your opinions on Roger clearing his name, I have to respectfully disagree about taking away stats of cheating players. What should happen is the “Steroid Era” should have years assigned to it, and those numbers will be forever tainted.
I know your stats are included in the Steroid era, and your numbers would unrighteously be lumped in with those who cheated. But how I see it now is that there are cheaters whose numbers are lumped in with non-cheaters if it is counted otherwise. Until you can tell me there is a way for all cheaters to be uprooted, and there is a way to get AB numbers and hitters faced stats to even out correctly (which would take up a ton of effort to undo something that happened as far as stats are concerned), I don’t think you can just erase statistics.
Awards also cannot be stripped unless they are strictly individual awards. The award would be read 1988 MVP - none. Maybe at best a passing mention that Jose Canseco used to have it. But would you strip World Series rings from the whole team since a cheater contributed to the victory? Those individual awards only really mean something to the players in the end since they get bonuses and larger contracts based on it. Other than that, does Magglio Ordonez really feel angry that one of the best years of his career wasn’t an MVP year? Do you feel bad that you never won a Cy Young other than not having a couple of extra dollars in your pocket?
Your contributions show in the rings you are wearing. That’s what really matters.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Mr. Schilling, I have been a season ticket holder for over 40 years. I can name my top 10 players based on a combination of talent and personality (though difficult the order)!
1. Pedro
2. Tiante
3. Manny
4. Yaz
5. Ortiz
6. Bill Lee
7. Fisk
8. Papelbon
9. Conigliaro
10. George Scott
My bottom 10 based on personalty and talent is much more difficult. One person who I would place #1 on that list is without question would be one Curtis Montague (Curt) Schilling.
I believe, all of this controversial and negative feedback will be thrown back at you like a cup of “Diarrhea” during any elected office you chose to run for.
I would not mind any of your thoughts or comments if you were out of baseball. You are doing a diss service (pardon the pun) to MLB, the Boston Red Sox, your family and yourself.
I have more respect for Canseco, Bonds and Clemens than you and outrageous opinions. Your opinion is different than ourts because you are a celebrity. Nobody will ever hear about most of our opinions because we are not.
I can at least understand the greatest hitter of the modern era looking at the loose way in which the owners looked in the other direction on the drug issues to raise the industry from a 1.5 billion dollar industry to a 7 billion dollar industry, and decide he must showcase his skill on an even playing field.
Mr. Schilling you are not a little man. You are as big if not bigger than Mr. Clemens and Mr. Bonds. Your head is definatly bigger than either, in some way! Do you have proof you have never taken anything such as steroids to help you in the past. Will submit to a drug test on TV live? Have you ever gone to say a casino and won some money you never declared? Just for instance….
I think after watching you in Providence last off season at a function saying it was time for Manny to go, that you may have a drinking problem.
One thing is certain Bonds, Clemens, McGwire and Sosa have made MLB a ton of loot for all the owners.
If you want to trace the origin of the problem, go back to the last strike. Season ticket sales dropped dramatically. They tightened the baseballs, made the strike zone smaller and talked to the umpires and eventually got rid of alot of those same umps through pressure (good move) to enhance the offense of the game. People will come to the ball park to see offense not pitching unless Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez and possible Johan Santa pitch ( in the last 25 years). They pay to see Manny #1, Big Papi #2 and the Whole team #3. Bud Selig and the other owners realized this and fired Fay Vincent to do what they needed to do, IT WORKED!!!
“During a radio show appearance on May 8, 2007, Schilling criticized Barry Bonds, stating: “He admitted to cheating on his wife, cheating on his taxes and cheating on the game.” After being reprimanded for his comments by his manager Terry Francona, Schilling issued an apology on his blog, stating that “it was absolutely irresponsible and wrong to say what I did”
I was happy to not hear anymore baloney after that until you recently signed your new contract. Now it is the same old blowhard Curt! Voters you will find that boring at best. You are not reverred like a Nolan Ryan or a Pedro Martinez. I think you must look at yourself as a modern day Jim Bouton. That is unfortuneate. I can tell you, if you were respectable off the field as you are on it, then winning a senatorial bid could have been in your future. Beating a John Kerry in the great state of Masachusetts could have been possible!
Roger Clemens is not on my top 10 list of top talented personalities, you may have noticed. He comes across as a bully and not really nice to the average person he meets on the street. One thing I have notice though, is most everyone calls him the greatest teamate they ever played with. He is a good friend. I have read how much you consider him your mentor if not friend. I have never thought it was my place to tell any friend my opinion unless they asked.
It appears there is nobody out there you consider a true friend. From this I can only assume you have something to hide. Could it be you have pitched so well from the ripe old ages between 35 and 40 because you yourself got some help along the way?
Mr. Schilling please try to be a better human being, otherwise I would rather take my chances with Bucholz, Lester, Masterson or Taveras.
Thank you for reading this ridiculously long post.
A Peter Gammons worshipper!
December 20th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Very good posts Curt. Nothing I can argue against, however there is something missing from your comments and from MLB players overall. Where is the outrage from the players? Other than you, who else is speaking up against the PED cheating. Just like your argument that if Clemens isn’t incensed and suing everyone to clear his name then he must be guilty (I agree with this argument), then I have to wonder why more players are not speaking up. Is it because most of them did PEDs and cheated, or knew about the cheating and did nothing?
Note to MLB players:
If ‘most’ of you did not do PEDs and are outraged by this PED scandal then do something about it and take back the game. Don’t leave it up to the owners or union. DO SOMETHING! Your silence and inaction make you players as a whole seem guilty too. Even if you did do PEDs - forget the past, do something and move forward to fix this!
Thanks
A Fan
December 20th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
how do you prove you have never taken steroids??? thats impossible. so how the hell do you expect anyone to prove something that can’t be proven you retard. also, when you have a situation that needs dealing with, you prove someones guilt. you don’t do the opposite and have the innocent prove he is not guilty. you called him out so now put your money where your mouth is and finish it. get a lawyer and spend millions of dollars to prove he is guilty. otherwise shut up. tell you what curt, i’ll accuse you of being gay and now make it YOUR responsibility to prove that you aren’t. so according to your logic curt, you are now officially gay until proven otherwise…
December 20th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Why should Curt have to give up his World Series ring because of steroid use? For the same reason he wants Roger Clemens to give up his Cy Youngs, wins and rings.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Mr. Schilling,
I had heard of your blog through watching countless sox games. I never had an urge to actually check it out until this past week with all the steroids controversy. I applaud you for posting your opinion. I am disheartened about the Clemens controversy. Having been a Red Sox fan for the last thirty years (I am 31 yrs old), Roger was a large part of my faith in the sox through the eighties. I hope he is able to prove himself clean. On the brighter side: Well done on a fantastic 2007.
As a member of the US Navy for the last 13 yrs, I also wanted to say I am appreciative of the effort by you and your family in your support of the men and women of the armed forces. I live in Washington state and the news of the Medfield 4 the Military made it out here locally.
My last comment is a peculiar one. I am not sure if you actually read any of the posts on your blog. My family has not missed a sox game out here since we first arrived here in 2000.On June 27th 2007, Sox vs. M’s: I would like to ask that you please pass along a huge thank you to Julian Taverez, Tek, and Tito for making a little girls dream. Mr. Taverez picked my daughter (5 yrs old)out of the crowd during warmups and took her onto the field, into the dugout to meet Tek and Tito and a couple of signed baseballs. I don’t know who was more excited, dad or daughter? We tried to officially thank the sox but weren’t very successful. Pls pass on. Thanks and win another in 08.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
for god sake, i can understand you being jealous of roger clemens, what with his 7 cy young awards. but to globally point at him and accuse him and tell him that he should give up his awards, that is a new low, even for a red sock. I am myslef a yankee fan, and of course im going to be biast against the red sox, but if a yankee did this against another player, i would publically voice my disgust with that too. what im trying to say is that you have a massive ego, with little to justify it. your overrated and mabey a tenth as talented as roger clemens is on a bad day. do the world a favor and get hit by a bus.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Mr. Schilling, while I respect your on-field accomplishments and competitive zeal, your piece smacks of moral vigilantism–something you have engaged in frequently during your years in Boston. Your comments about Roger Clemens overlook two critical points: 1) there is absolutely NO CORROBORATING EVIDENCE in the Mitchell report that establishes Clemens used steroids; and, 2) steroid use in MLB was LEGAL in 2001. The lack of evidence in a report that reportedly cost baseball $20 million in legal fees is striking, and naming names based upon such a flimsy evidentiary showing is irresponsible at best.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
This is for all the dumb asses that are whining and complaining about what Curt wrote in HIS blog: if you don’t like what he says or have no respect for his opinions, then why the f@#k do you come here and read it??
Get a life and learn to respect other people’s opinions, or get lost.
An educated debate or disagreement is one thing, but some of you sound like your in 2nd grade for crying out loud.
Does it make you feel “cool” to rant on about how much you hate Curt and his personal opinions? If it does, you best take a good long look in the mirror.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Curt,
I agree with you that it is time for Baseball as a sport to acknowledge and address their problems with drugs. It took courage for you to say this and I am certain you won’t be the favorite guy in the locker room with everyone, but the ones who are bothered are unimportant. It definitely makes a big statement for a person of your stature to step up on this, and I hope the ‘powers that be’ listen.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
I agree with your take on the awards Curt. Just like what is happening with Marion Jones and any other olympic athlete. Same with the Tour. If you are caught cheating after the fact, you give up any personal awards and they are then re-awarded to the rightful “winner”.
As for yanksfanfor25 - go away and stick to Yankees’ boards. Baseball is a team sport much more than most others and two players who were named that may or may not have used steroids/hgh/etc does not mean Curt should give up his ring. Same with Marion Jones’ relay teams. They should not have to give up their medals. INDIVIDUAL accomplishments should be rescinded.
My two cents!
December 20th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Hey Curt,
I have totally changed my mind about taking back awards, and HOF consideration, before I thought hell yeah take them all back because they cheated. There are a few issues with that though, there are already a cheater or two in the HOF, and although the form of cheating may be completly different, the cheater I am thinking of had an unfair advantage over his competitors.
Gaylord Perry used an illegal pitch, although he was not caught until one of his last few years in baseball, everyone around baseball knew of it, and accused him of using the spitter. He admitted it, he won 2 Cy Youngs, and was elected into the HOF. Now I know there is a huge difference between PEDs and using an illegal substance on a ball, but at the same time, it gave him a very big advantage, and he won over 300 games because of it.
Obviously there are plenty of cheaters who have been caught and stripped of the honors they were given, and I still want anyone in the report to admit the use and move on, or prove they weren’t using PEDs, but I think at this point the damage can not be reversed, and now, we all have to move on.
The other big issue would be if you decide that all personal awards should be stripped to those proven to have used PEDs, then you must look into EVERY award given during the era, and you must look into who had knowledge of the cheating in each instance, and if there is a manager who had knowledge, or a GM, or even another teammate, who did not come forward, should the teams records be revoked also? Should WS rings and other awards that teams received be given to another team?
December 20th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Curt,
If you’re so concerned with handing back “tainted” accolades, please hand back your three World Series rings, because, by all accounts, all three clubs had more than their fair share of steroid users.
Oh, and that NL Championship with the Phillies can be handed back too.
Thanks,
Joe Gallagher
December 20th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Its always good to have an opinion and I respect yours. However I think its an attempt to pile on when really the whole era should be stripped of any of its accomplishments. Unfortunately you played in an era that will forever be known as the “fake” era. It is unfortunate that this is the case because I truly believe that all baseball players are naturally gifted athletes without the need for enhancement drugs. But it is what it is. To name one player accountable for this is not fair. In fact while I applaud the fact that you supposedly have never used you still are part of the problem along with your union. By driving the salaries up you along with your peers have increased the need for a competetive advantage and thus created this black market for enhancement drugs. Did any of your former teamates ever take enhancement drugs? If they did….are you really going to tell me that you knew nothing about it? If you are trying to be “righteous” now its to late. You had the opportunity when you saw it happening in the first place. It’s better to be proactive than reactive!!
December 20th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
O.K.Mr.Bloodysock;
Your loudmouth seems to never stop b.s’n the baseball world(More than what it is).So you believe that (If proven guilty),The Rocket should surrender Cy Young Awards,w/l record,strikeouts,etc.Bottom line all achievements reached during the period of time in which he left the fan & player backstabers Red Sox (See Boggs,Clemens & Fisk cases for reference)Maybe we should also include the World Series won by each & every team since all this circus of steroid & HGH issues (Including the ones won by your D’Backs(Matt Williams) & Red Sox).Of course an new investigation should be put in place,but this time including your close buddies,David Ortiz,Manny Ramirez,Jason Varitek,Johnny Damon..to mention just some.
Cuestion for you,Mr.Perfect;
Is there a way to explain how this so called “Big Papi” (a line drive powerless,extra size player Whom was let goed by the Twins just for those facts & and before you start finding a lie to cover up Ortiz;let me tell you that followed his career since he played Winter League Baseball in The Dominican Republic) as soon as he arrived at The Magical City of Boston,suddenly & out of the blue,David Ortiz is a home run threar & a menace at the plate? A guy that washed out pitcher in every league never fear or respect as a power hitter.But of course maybe people don’t realize that there’s a liason at the top level of this so called” investigation “who is protecting the so clean immage of The Bean Town Puritans.How about that for your t-shirts slogan ?”The Bean Town Puritans”I’ve seen so many people drawn in their own fecies by all the garbage they talked,but I’ve never see such a Big Fella’ who can’t control his tongue.
You a week to retur your World Champion Rings MR.CLEAN…Go ahead….back your words with facts…or start sucking on your bloody sock and shut up!Play Ball!
December 20th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Mr. Schilling, while I respect your on-field accomplishments and competitive zeal, your piece smacks of moral vigilantism–something you have engaged in frequently during your years in Boston. Your comments about Roger Clemens overlook two critical points: 1) there is absolutely NO CORROBORATING EVIDENCE in the Mitchell report that establishes Clemens used steroids; and, 2) steroid use in MLB was LEGAL in 2001. The lack of evidence in a report that reportedly cost baseball $20 million in legal fees is striking, and naming names based upon such a flimsy evidentiary showing is irresponsible at best.
I also believe it to be most hypocritical for you to purport to write your piece as a “fan” rather than a peer of Clemens. You cannot change what you are in this instance: a ballplayer, competing for awards, recognition and attention, calling out and denigrating one of your rivals. The fact that you attempt to disguise this with silly platitudes about Clemens’s greatness makes your comments all the more distasteful.
You would garner far more respect by posting an even-handed criticism of MLB itself–which fostered, nurtured, encouraged and profited from the steroid fiasco–than focusing upon one player who you may one day compete with for Hall of Fame induction. Perhaps you should focus your future comments upon Bud Selig–perhaps the worst commissioner in the history of professional sports–and call upon HIM to step up and take appropriate action to ensure that baseball becomes drug free.
And while you’re at it, perhaps you should offer to reduce YOUR career victory total for each game that one of your erstwhile teammates helped you win while he was on steroids. I’ll be waiting eagerly to see if you make such an offer. If not, perhaps you should keep your comments about other players to yourself and avoid the sanctimony.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
First post.
Let me start by saying that I’ve been a Sox fan since 1976 - at the ripe old age of 5 - and Roger Clemens is my favorite pitcher. Once I turned 18, I’d travel to Boston once a year from Seattle just to watch him pitch. He was a secondary reason I had season tickets to the Mariners in the late 80s to early 90s. Hell, I may have even rooted for the Yankees when he would pitch.
That being said, I agree with #38 that - as a fan - I feel Roger MUST work to clear his name. It doesn’t matter that he hasn’t failed a test. It doesn’t matter that his work ethic and dedication is probably what fueled his longevity and success. It doesn’t matter that, other than the sworn testimony of one who has his own best interests at the forefront, there isn’t any proof of wrongdoing. It doesn’t matter that society is quick to rush to judgement, especially with celebrities and stars.
What matters is someone called him out. What matters is someone questioned his honor and integrity. That, my friends, is why he owes an explanation.
On another note, I tend to agree with Costas on the issue of what to do with individual records. It’s a slippery slope when one starts to peel the PED onion. At present, it’s difficult to draw the line as to when to keep a stat/award and when to discard it. I suspect it will become even more arduous when more players admit to using.
Finally… “GRAIN ASSAULT”…. too funny! I have an image forever burned into my brain of an army of farmers attacking a silo.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
We aren’t even talking grammar we are talking moronic responses here. Some advice:
yanksfanfor25: Neither Trot Nixon or Johnny Damon were named in the Mitchell report. Read something before you say stupid lies.
calio4life: There is no such thing as a grain assault. You are a moron. Stick to chewing bubblegum.
schillinghater and erx825: PEOPLE THAT TYPE IN ALL CAPTITAL LETTER ARE IGNORANT MONKEYS IN REAL LIFE AND NOT JUST ON THE INTERNETS.
natsfan4life: Form thoughts, then type them, then read after a few minutes to see if they will makes sense when others read them. Look up words you clearly don’t have a firm grasp on like “irony” and try to start using them correctly and not for emphasis.
Also,
Props to Mark: That was a reach with the Jim Everett video analogy but anytime someone knocks that arrogant jerk Jim Rome down we should all celebrate that moment forever.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Curt, the last guy (#90) just sounds like an upset Yankee over that a third of his guys on the 90s teams that won the Series were cheaters.
Anyway, my question for you is this: If a player’s numbers are wiped out of the record books, should the teams be forced to forfeit team awards (such as winning the World Series)? Should the San Fransisco Giants forfeit the 2002 NL Championship trophy because Barry Bonds was cheating?
December 20th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
I agree completely with your take, Curt. I’m curious to get your take on two other stories I am very passionate about. Here’s the link to my BLOG: http://insidetheeagles.blogspot.com/
You can skip the first story as it applies to something that happened in Philly and the Eagles this past weekend but the 2nd and 3rd stories have national significance.
Look forward to everyone’s response.
Peace.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Curt,
Reading some of these responses really chaps my behind. I’d like to state something for the record. What I admire most is that you speak your mind. I personally feel that Clemens is not taking the stand to try and clear his name because, God forbid, something comes up a month, a year, ten years from now that shows adamant proof that he did in fact use steroids to boost his pitching performance. What would he say then? How would he defend himself? Perhaps by stepping up and owning up to the fact that obviously George Mitchell has some sort of undeniable proof that Clemens did use steroids and giving back the Cy Young awards just as Marion Jones had to return her Olympic gold medals, he would have a lot more respect than not owning up to it at all. And yes, this is if, in fact, he were able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he did not use performance-enhancing drugs.
What I believe that you meant was whether it’s Clemens or anyone else, they should own up to their mistakes and if they were in fact cheating in any way, shape, or form, they should not be able to keep whatever award that was bestowed on them because they obtained it in the wrong way. Comment #90 blows my mind. I think it’s pretty pitiful that the mindsets of so many folks out there can be so shallow and have such blinders on that it’s almost commonplace to accept untruth instead of having the slightest shred of dignity and integrity. That’s why I think people will always have something to say about what you blog because you’re pretty damn straightforward and a lot of people are not used to being confronted with the way things really are.
I say stick to your guns, because there are those out there that completely understand what you meant.
Go Sox!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
P.S. #68 : Make sure you use Spellcheck the next time you would like to post a comment. I’m sure you’ll find it useful.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
If the roids weren’t against the rules of baseball (til 04′), how could it be cheating?
And what about the commish and the owners looking the other way, IGNORING something they new was wrong, but as long as their pockets were reaping the rewards, no problem. If the players give back the awards, then the owners and commish give back the money, and forfeit their HOF options as well. That will never happen. There are already known cheaters in the HOF. Why make these guys the exception?
What a joke. So, what about all the other folks who used but got their shit from someone other than these 2 trainers. They used roids, who cares. Everybody was doing it. The playing field was leveler than you think.
Best said by Ray Ratto:
San Francisco Chronicle columnist Ray Ratto refuses to draw a distinction between steroid offenders and players with other black marks.
“I would vote for Bonds on the first ballot, as I would vote for Clemens, because the Hall of Fame isn’t church,” Ratto said. “It’s the history of baseball, and this is part of the history of baseball. I can assure you that Bud Selig will be voted into the Hall of Fame, and he is the commissioner whose name will be linked with the steroid era by first ignoring it, then profiting from it, and finally blaming others for it.
“I know that Cap Anson is in the Hall of Fame, and he was instrumental in the creation of the color line, which is way worse than PEDs. So this discussion ends up being an excuse for people with no institutional memory or understanding to claim a moral superiority they’re not really equipped to display.”
December 20th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
I think you are just trying to be in the spot light. You know when another player talks about another player it would make the news so thats what you are doing. It would be different if someone asked your opinion and this was the answer you gave, but instead you are lashing out. Yahoo’s website shows that you are issuing a challenge to Clemens. I really hope they find out something about you that you have to prove your innocense on.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Curt. I hope that all is well. First of all - thank you for opening your thoughts to all of your fans by setting up this blog - it is truly amazing. You are an absolute class act in everything that you do. Please don’t let all the “haters” get under your skin.
In today’s crazy society you are the perfect role model for all the young people. You are hardworking, spirtual, real, intelligent and resilient. And 100% steroid free!
I agree that if someone “juiced” that their individual awards should be taken away. I really hope that Roger didn’t do it - but it wouldn’t suprise me if he did; especially since he is not trying to sue everyone in sight for putting his name in the Report.
I don’t think you should take away an entire team’s awards if one or two players juiced on that team. I guarantee you that more Yanks were juicing in ‘04 than Sox.
Good luck with all your training for next year! Looking foward to seeing the Sox win another one next year in person. I was at Games 3 and 4 in Denver — amazing!. I still get chills thinking about your 2004 toast in the Sox lockroom to the “greatest Red Sox team of all time”.
Who do you think would win between the ‘04 Sox and the ‘07 Sox?
ps - I wouldn’t be so quick to say that Pedro, Randy and Josh are all clearly better than you — I think if you look at your stats and the longevity of your career you are as good, if not better than most of that group.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
I’m still trying to figure out why you said in a Senate hearing that you had no knowlage of steroid use in baseball. I believe that as much as I believe Clemons…………..by the way, if I needed one win I would give the ball to you, your the best big game pitcher of your era..
December 20th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Hey Curt,
It’s great to see someone from the league actually speaking about and speaking OUT on what’s been going on or what’s been going WRONG about Baseball.
I believe in what you’re writing cuz it’s what a lot of people are thinking!
Good for you!
I applaud what you say and do ( some of it anyway ) and I still believe in Baseball.
Enjoy the off season and good luck next year … well,..not if you face my Mets in the WS of course : )
December 20th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Curt,
I’m not sure you fully understand what people are upset about with your previous posting. You went right back to it in this post. Why does Roger Clemens or any other person named by someone who is trying to gain favor for problems they are having with the government.
Who should you tend to believe, someone who has absolutely broken the law and not done the right thing, or someone who has much more to lose with their reputation and who no one has ever questioned how hard they worked to be in top physical shape?
Why in the world, without and physical evidence would Roger Clemens have to prove that he didn’t do these substances to you, to me or to anyone. I would say if there was some evidence other than this criminal dropping a “big name”, then yes. Other than that, I would say no.
I don’t believe you have to prove that the “bloody sock” was real. There are many people who question that.
I am a Yankee fan and I believe in you, that the bloody sock was real without you proving it to me. I think you should be praised for your effort that day, not accused of “cheating” or anything else. Good job on that day and last year. That is what sports is about, you play to win and play as hard as you can and then if you don’t win you congratulate your opponent, not accuse them of some type of deception or cheating. There is no evidence other than he-said-she-said.
I don’t get the logic behind him having to prove himself to you.
Kevin Judd
A Very Disappointed Baseball Fan
December 20th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Curt, I think it’s cool to get an honest, up front opinion from someone who lives it. I’ve been hearing a lot of opinions about why it seems like baseball is getting the brunt of the press over the HGH “scandal”. Why is football not getting the same press? I think that this is where you could clear that topic up for a lot of people who really don’t know the game…who’ve never played it.
Baseball is about class, and the silent rules of the game. You don’t steal a base if you’re up 5 runs. You don’t admire a homer and not leave the batters box until the ball has cleared the fence. I mean, you can do it…but you know where the next pitch is going to be thrown. It’s baseball’s way of policing their own. It’s a code of conduct that doesn’t need to be spoken. You hustle, you play hurt, you keep plugging.
Football is a game of violence. Eye and crotch grabbing at the bottom of the scrum going after a fumble is the norm. Guys used to clothesline guys on the tackle. Stomping of feet with your cleats is cool. Anything to get that edge. If you play football and can get away with something, you do it. It’s the game of football.
Roger Clemons was supposed to represent the game. He was one of the biggest faces…a guy with the broadest shoulders. He rubs Babe Ruth’s statue before he pitches. This gesture is about honoring the past, the class, and the integrity of the game of baseball. It’s about the credibility of the game. Once that is gone, so is the very essence of the game. I’ll say this, if he did use, then I would expect him to own up to it. His teammate Giambi did it. Does anyone ever wonder why Bonds gets so much crap and Giambi didn’t? It wasn’t ever a race issue, because it was always an integrity issue. The same kind where if you show up another player, and get beaned…you jog to first with your head down because you know you had it coming. That’s what makes this game beautiful.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Give up your awards Roger you cheated the game and fans!
December 20th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
“the mitchell report that you refer to in regard to Roger Clemens returning his cy young awards also names 2 of your former teamates; Johnny Damon and Trot Nixon”
Hey, bozo (yes, I mean you, yanksfanfor25), have you even read the report? My educated guess is that you have NOT done so. If you had, you would know that neither Johnny Damon nor Trot Nixon appear in the report. (Otis Nixon’s name does appear at some point.)
Do your research before you post such stupidity.
Oh, by the way, here is the link to the Mitchell Report. You’d best read it before you look more a fool than you already do:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/news/mitchell/index.jsp
December 20th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Curt,
Here’s another good point,… your 1993 Phillies team included some people included in the report. Should we take away your share of the postseason money and any awards from that year? Your team may not have won without those players or their substances. Then again they may have. What do you propose we do?
December 20th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
You know, I have a BIG problem with you comparing Barry Bonds to Roger Clemens. A lot of people out there have been doing this and it makes me just sick to my stomach to read about it. You undeniably fail to recognize the fact that Barry LIED under oath to a federal grand jury. HE PERJURED HIMSELF and broke the law this way. Barry has developed a reputation for himself because he is nasty to reporters, can’t speak well to a camera, fails to recognize his fans, and lies when questioned by authorities NOT because he used steroids. How many countless other people have used steroids and don’t have all the negativity of Bonds? Its because he is a lier and a bad person in general. Thats why we all hate him and his ball is going to Cooperstown with an * on it.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Its Andy P-E-T-T-I-T-T-E. If you want to be taken seriously, spell it right. C’mon, Schill….
December 20th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Give the awrds to te players who didn’t cheat! Unfair to cheat the game.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Curt you are biblethumping thug. No one cares about your opinions anymore. You always hate on the Yankees. suck it LONG LIVE THE EVIL EMPIRE!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
If anyone is interested there is a great post on waswatching.com for December 20th titled A tale of two Schilling’s. My question to you Curt is this, why were you asked to appear before the House Government Reform Committee on March 17,2005 along with suspected PED users McGwire, Sosa, Canseco, and Palmeiro? It seems odd that out of the 5 asked to appear that you are the only one clean.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
There is no sanctity with you is there? You attacked Barry by stating he cheated on his taxes and his wife, now you take a stand against a fellow player. You are better off not saying anything. Do you think the FANS really need your opinions? I bet you have no friends that feel comfortable confiding in you any personal matter, and if they have I am sure it will be in your book, after you are out of baseball. I bet you were that kid in school that no one really care for.
Roger may or may not have taken the substance, but if he did, let him defend himself. I am sure you are the last person, he or any of the players mentioned,would call and ask your opinion on what they should do.
Thank God your advice is free….because that is all any of what comes out of your mouth is worth!!
As a fan, I really hope this is your last year playing in the bigs.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Hey Blood Sox, Why is it that the person who is investigating the steroid allegations happen to be on the Board of Directors of the Boston Red Sox’s and a part owner of the team? George Mitchell said that there were over one hundred names on the list, but he has only stated 80. Where are the other 20 something names? Of course they were mostly New York Yankee’s, but the Red Sox came out cleaner then a whistle!!! Someone should take a look at the size of Big Popi’s head before and after he became a Red Sox!!! George Mitchell should get his head out of his ass and do the right thing and remove himself from the investigation so it would be honest and fair to everyone, including the Boston players, even you Curt. And Curt, why don’t you mind your own business and keep your big yap shut and worry about your own team problems and don’t worry about the Yank’s so much. Maybe you should see the teams psychologist about your envy and jealousy problems pertaining to the New York Yankees!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
I still have your quote from 2004 written on a board in my office - when you were talking about feeling down after losing game 1 to the Yanks in 2004 and you saw all the signs that people made for you on drive on th way to Fenway… and then you realized that if everyone else believed in that you should believe in yourself as well and you said:
“Don’t be the only one not believing in yourself.”
That quote helped get me through a lot of things and gave me the confidence to finish at the top of my class in law school and pass the California Bar exam.
Do you think those words would come out of an egotistical man?
December 20th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
With all due respect I have lost any respect for Curt after his comments.
Maybe he just has a hard time with the fact he will never be as good as Roger, with or without steroids.
Sad commentary from a pitcher who wishes he had as many Cy Youngs.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Curt: I totally agree with you when it comes to the whole mess. I am a major fan here in Toronto if i had heard that my man Joe Carter was juicing then i’d be killed emotionally. I would say that same thing to him as you have said to the rocket. Clear your name or give them back. Roger was a pitcher here when he was on top and I’d hate to see it come down to knowing that he was using. I want to know.. I need to know as a young guy that all my years watching the jays win and watching him and other great players break records was all done honestly. I love baseball and this all breaks my heart
December 20th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Who cares about steroids and HGH. It was during a time that almost everyone was doing it and it saved baseball. If it wasn’t for Big Mac and Sosa no one, not even you Curt would have probably came back to the sport. I can even recall a day when I met Mac outside Angels stadium and Big Mac is not so nice. He was the nicest person ever. He signed a jersey and took a photo with me. He also basically begged everyone out there to go to the game. He even said if you do not go, I completely understand.
I think that they should just realize it was a time where stadiums got smaller, balls were tighter, and players got bigger. And it was during a time when it was NOT illegal.
If it wasn’t for steroids, baseball would be like hockey is today.
Hedake
December 20th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Oh my! The vitriol. For what it’s worth, this IS Curt’s blog, people! You need to respect the fact that what is published on it is his opinion and he has the right to voice that opinion as much as other bloggers do. I’m not saying that you can’t disagree, rather that you should be respectful and not RUDE!
Curt, thank you for voicing the unease and “of two minds” that I know a lot of fans are experiencing.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
OK Curt, how about Luis Gonzales? That teammate of yours on the Diamondbacks who had no power and was skinny as a rail then “suddenly” has muscles and hits 57 homers. That is more than the great Mickey Mantle ever hit. What a farce. Almost as bad as Brady Anderson’s power surge.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Once again, I would be curious to see how you might suggest a person prove their innocence in the face of rumor and hearsay. Here in the real world–where most of us live–protestations of innocence are typically met with skepticism (at best). You know, it could as easily have been you accused of steroid use. For years, my sisters have refered to you as the “Lutheran choirboy on steroids”. So, how would You defend yourself??
December 20th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Hey Curt,
Recently an Olympic gold medalist in track land field lost her gold medals due to the use of PED. Not only did the Olympic Committee strip her of her medals, but her relay teammates also lost their medals. Makes sense to me, since her relay team would not have won without her.
Should the NY Yankees be stripped of the World Series championships for every year that a NYY player guilty of using PED was on their roster and contributed to their victory?
December 20th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Humm!!!!!, finally. Yes, since 1998 I was wondering if Clement was using PED, because the way his face changed since…, and how he became better while aging. All MLB performance goes down with the age, we have seen it so far, so it was not surprise for me.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Personally, I don’t think you have to defend your post from yesterday. I thought it was pretty direct, and clear as to how you presented it. But, that’s just my humble opinon. You can’t win for losing once you voice your opinion publicly…someone’s always going to disagree.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Just to say thanks for your integrity, Curt. Too many Christians just say the words, with no life to match. I like what I have seen and heard these past few years so I decided to visit your blog. Good stuff. A little word of encouragement from Philip. Keep up the good work. Keep pressing into Him.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
To say that Schilling is jealous is completely
ridiculous. You bozos are the ones that are
acting jealous.
The bottom line is that MLB should’ve done
more to help prevent PED’s. At this point MLB
should toughen up on PED testing and we
should all just move on.
BTW folks, don’t think for a second that this
will hurt baseball in any way.
I’m a big Astros fan, and I’ll be cheering for
Tejada along with a sold-out Minute Maid
Park crowd on opening day - GUARANTEED!
Gaston
December 20th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Dear Curt,
I am a life long Red Sox fan, and I just wanted to tell you that I hate you. I wish you never would have came to Boston. We could do better without you. Your should have retired this year, so we could get a better 5th starter in our rotation.
You have an opinion on everything. You are always 100% right (in your own mind). You are so self-absorbed you have to have your own blog that you right in. No one care, and you make me sick. Get over yourself. Go back to Arizona.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
My opinion is the same. Anyone that has been found guilty of using and won awards or titles within that time frame should have to return them and be banned from the sport as was done to Pete Rose. I have let the Hall of Fame know my opinion as well when they had Mcguire on the ballot. If he used he should not have the title that Roger Maris obtained without chemical enhancement.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Curt, computers ruin your eyes man! The
long posts will come back to haunt you!
Gaston
December 20th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
It was Thomas Jefferson who said, (paraphrasing here) “he who assumes a public trust should consider himself public property”. So it goes with athletes in professional sports. Hearsay can be a terrible weapon and can be used to effectively smear anyone. I have no love, or even like, for Clemmens - he’s a jerk like Bonds and we all know it - but still, hearsay is hearsay. Yes, Roger signed up for the scrutiny. That’s part of why the salary is so high. Call it a nice pillow to lay on at night. How about, from the Mitchell report forward, unless there is empirical evidence (that is, verfiable scientifically) that someone has used a banned substance, DROP IT. We test each and every player in every professional sport, every single game they suit up for, including during training and even test during the off season. Too costly? Gee whiz! It should be in every player’s contract. Can they smoke pot or do coke? No, they are banned substances (ask Martina Hingis). One positive test, your nearest season numbers are eradicated and, two positive tests, you play for “league unto its own”. The new league (still thinking of a name) would be like wrestling; staged, with costumes, make-up and funny names. That way, the owners can make the money they love, the fans who don’t mind impure advantages will have something to watch and the rest of us can enjoy the real deal. I gotta hand it to you Curt, politics aside, you are a man in full and I mean that in the best sense.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Mr Schilling I have to say that you are a stand up guy and a great pitcher and it kills me to admit the latter being a great Yankees fan, but I give you the credit you deserve. I also think that more importantly you are doing fantastic off the field work in the name of awareness for some terrible afflictions. With all that being said what is it that you lack in your professional, social and personal life that you absolutly need to hear yourself pontificate and spout on about other people. If indeed The Rocket did take performance enhancing drugs to better himself that is between him and his maker. If he didnt then how do you think after all he has accomplished and been through he will walk away from the game he has made his life. There isnt going to be any returning of the awards due to the fact that Bud Selig has no spine and no intestinal fortitude to demand the game come clean. That would first entail him telling your precious players union to blow it out thier collective posteriors and demanding that all players be publically tested by third party labs and making the results public records. This would eliminate the need for the “rats” that Mr Mitchell seeked out for his investigation. Curt man do the RIGHT thing and get on you soapbox for the union to come clean and have the players of this great game of baseball stand up like the men we all HOPE you are and put an end to this hear say crappola.
Best of luck to you and to the great game of baseball !!!!!!!!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Curt,
You sound like a person who is trying to take advantage of someone who has only been accused. Question- How does he provide any evidence that he never used? Do you have any ideas? Maybe you shouldnt throw stones and look a little closer at your life.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
curt,
curt, curt, curt
you really have foot in mouth disease.
make that bloody sock in mouth. are you getting high off your own blood?
first of all, you’ve got a trainer claiming he injected roger with steroids or something in an attempt to save his ass from jail. I’m not saying that mcnamee is lying or not. I’m just saying that I think I would do whatever I could to get my ass off the chopping block. and I never met roger clemens and I never injected anyone with steroids.
secondly, roger hasn’t been charged with a crime and neither steroids nor hgh were banned by baseball at the time of the supposed injections. are you going to call for every player in the 60s and 70s to give up any records do to usage of speed or something? what about the guy on the pirates who got a no-no will tripping his balls off? are you going to disqualify his achievement because you’re too scared to repeat it?
I think you’re a very talented pitcher who needs to keep his mouth shut.
do what you’re good at. and please, please don’t think about running for office when your career is done.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Strip awards? give me a break. It shouldn’t happen.
The bottom line, if you get off your high horse about the “integrity of the game” is that this is a business and has been treated like one for so long that steroids were viewed as a natural way to make the game more exciting. The owners, managers, trainers and every other management type is JUST AS GUILTY. Repeat that: JUST AS GUILTY as the players who actually used them. Not only did they in some cases, ask the players and/or provide the steroids (although noone is really looking into that…), they turned a blind eye on it and never made a rule against their use.
The bottom line: there was not a rule against using them when these players used them, so they didnt’ break a baseball rule so you shouldn’t strip awards from them.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Mr. Schilling,
I feel that you could’ve left it at that. This last post was unnecessary in my opinion, you pretty much said what you felt was in your heart on YOUR OWN blog, which no one should scorn you for. By the way, John Smoltz also came out and said pretty much the same thing.
I commend you for doing so.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
When the person doing the investigation isnt a principle contributor to your Major LEague Team then perhaps more people would listen. Why is it he only talked former NY trainers that are no longer employed by their teams.
Something is fishy. Tell me Papi who averages 240 in Minnesota with 10-15 homeruns suddenly became a monster in Boston?
Why did no one talk to Canseco during this investigation?
Schilling you make the mistake of trusting this goverment. Everything comes down to money. From the wars on terror (its about oil) to baseball.
So like one of the previous responses prior give back your rings, awards and trophies cause if there are numerous players using then all the records are tainted. MAybe one of your relievers who saved one of your games used? And if the hitter and pitcher were both using does that make it a fair match up?
Ponder that
December 20th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
“its my blog and if you dont like it you can leave” wah wah wah… what’s next crybaby, you gonna tell us that your daddy can beat up our daddy?? Dude, I come here to banter with the Sox fans. I don’t go to the Yankee blogs because I am not a robot that wants to read the same opinions that I have all the time…. That being said, you and I are the same age. You act like a spoiled baby brat with your bitter little opinions, you can’t handle it when someone puts you in your place. After yesterdays post and the overwhelming response you had against you, even from your fans, you should have quit while you’re ahead. Here’s some free advice: stick to writing about your phony baloney fund raisers and stuff like that… you know, things that will continue to put some attention on your washed up, has been behind.
I can’t wait for the seaon to start… not only will we dethrone you wussys, we’ll do it and then the entire Yankee team will pee in the cup at the same time to show we did it without juicing. Your (slow)fastball will be like breakfast treats to our lineup. Take care loser boy, hope you get what you wanted for Christmas (( a dozen Dunkin Donuts and a Roger Clemens poster)
P.S. Even without steroids, not only can Roger pitch better, but I’ll bet he can royally kick your a**!!
December 20th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
Say what ya want but Curt’s the man.. I’d rather have people talk trash about me because I spoke my mind (and in this case the truth) than have them agree and call me a suck-up because I took the moral high ground regarding something I stood for.
Look past the image ya have of Clemens talkin ta Babe before every start
and admit that waiting a week ta even respond to such an “outlandish” statement paints this whole thing a guilt.. Pull yer heads out of the sand..
This is more than just taking needles it’s the fact that he’s cornered and still wants ta deny it — regardless of this now we’ll always link Clemens ta roids and really does it matter because he didn’t really give a reason ta like him anyway. This is case where we can hate the player and LOVE the game.
Keep it coming 38… as long as ya keep piling up the wins and K’s next to those World Series trophies and know yer not cheating you sir can say whatever ya damn well please…
With any luck Clemens and Pettitte will take the Bonds express together and keep their un-glorified smug faces off our TV’s.
Yanksfanfor25 sounds like a typical New York “fan” who live in fear of the bloody sock.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
SHERM’S A JUICER!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Listen, it’s one thing to be pissed about steroid use, but it’s another to be jealous of one of the greatest pitchers of all time…You never made it out of Roger’s shadow, and you are a giant tool. You do nothing but bitch and moan, and these allegations aren’t even fact yet, and YOU are the disgrace to baseball. While we’re on that subject, you completely fit the profile of a steroid user. It’s a good thing George Mitchell is from Boston.
Also, I am quite tired of the whole “bloody sock” incident. It’s old, just like you…retire already you giant steaming pile of crap.
go YANKEES!!!!!!!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Curt, I’ll repeat the question I asked earlier. Is abusing legal drugs (painkillers) cheating? Did you use/abuse legal drugs in the bloody sock game?
Mark
Baseball Hot Corner
baseballhotcorner.blogspot.com
December 20th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Curt,
You have without a doubt been one of the best but since you are so easy to point fingers where were you when you were on other teams ie Phillies and drug use was wide spread did you not blow the whistle on your teamates. Not to mention the fact that this report I would say is just the tip of the iceberg. I know when I was in High School (86′-89′) steriods were all over, I never touched or was even tempted to do so. I would have to say they had to be all over throughout the 80’s in MLB as well, let’s not kid ourselves.
If Clemens did do steriods then I do agree he should return all hardware that he received while doing so. The difference between Bonds and Clemens is simple Bonds has had MANY people confirm he KNOWINGLY did steriods but with Clemens only one man said he did it no paper trail (check) with Clemens either. He is in a no win situtation here its one threatened man’s word against another.
Oh wait I know, this buddy of mine just told me he sold steriods to you while you the whole time you were in Philly. Uh Oh your guilty! NOT!
December 20th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Curt thanks for the much needed perspective on this issue. You remind us all baseball fans, that the sport is one that last bastions of American social institutions. Every other institution, media, family, faith, even government has been deconstructed and ridiculed to the point of stripping all joy and emotional attachments that once fueled the American masses in time of needed distraction from life, while giving us lessons in what it is to be an American. Baseball needs to resurface again clean, with transparency or we it will fall into the category of the wrestling world. Thank you for being honest, some call it judging, but someone needs to say “you’re better than that” and your voice is much louder than ours.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
It is incredible that so many Yankee fans are so upset that Clemens has been outed. If you took an honest look at Clemens’ career and the fact that he got better after he teammed with *Jose CANSECO* then you would not be so surprised. He was done in Boston in 1995. His innings pitched were down steadily over his last 3 years there. Suddenly, as if by magic in 1996 his innings pitched were WAY up again. It wasn’t magic, Jose Canseco became his teammate in Boston and Roger is revitalized! In 1997 Roger wins the Cy Young, Triple crown AND the TSN Pitcher of the Year awards after not winning ANY awards in SIX YEARS…..hmmmm!
In 1998, Canseco re-joins Clemens in Toronto and again Roger wins the Cy Young, triple crown and TSN Pitcher of the year award! Wake up, Yankee fans! Clemens juiced. He won’t deny because he can’t! He does not want more damning information/evidence to come out. He is going to leave it up to his fans to speak for him. He is a cheat, but so is almost EVERY player in baseball.
It is laughable to hear fans say that Clemens is innocent until proven guilty. When Bonds, Sosa and McGuire were labeled cheaters almost EVERYONE, at the same time, screamed they were guilty. There was very little talk about Bonds (or Sosa or McGuire) being innocent till proven guilty. Now that Clemens has been named (and rightfully so) there is all this talk about innocent till proven guilty, give him the benefit of the doubt…etc- hogwash!
Clemens like Bonds is a hall of famer. Also, like Bonds just had some help becoming an all-time great.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
curt just shut up and pitch
December 20th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Mr. Schilling
Since you are very adament that all of those that have any past of illegal or dark actions in their lives come forward. I would like to request an answer to the following questions. All be that they are things you do not want your beloved following to know about you.
1. Have you ever used illegal drugs? List everyone that you have tried?
2. When was the first time you did?
3. When was the last time?
4. Have you ever cheated to get ahead in life…name every instance?
5. Divulge to all of us every law that you have ever broken in your life?
6. Have you cheated on your wife?
7. If yes, how many times
I could go on to a grand list…but I think that if you answer these on the front page of your blog, you will show that we all will have the proper information to pass judgement on you.
That is what you do to these men. You are passing judgement on their lives, wether private or in the public eye of major league baseball.
Reveal to us every dark and devious action or thought that you have had in your life so that we can again pass judgement on you with the proper facts…Since you feel that your opinion so valid to steer our minds. If you want to cast the first stone, show us what faults you have.
I love baseball, I wish that it was still “America’s Pasttime”!
December 20th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Incase some of you people can not read, if you don’t want to listen to what Curt has to say then don’t log onto this website. He has every right to voice his opinion like he said this is HIS blog!!!!
And for the record Clemens can’t compare to Schilling, Schilling is 10 times the man and pitcher!!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Curt,
This is just more evidence here that,….. God forbid somebody expresses an opinion in this country anymore. Sharing an opinion nowadays just results to someone being polarized. I guess we should all wear beige, hide in the bushes, and do our best to be a good lemming? That’s the real secret to quality of life, right? We have attained a new level of hate with blogs and message boards on the net, concerning differences of opinions. People are too easily threatened by others who might think differently than they do. It’s just too convenient now for one to hide behind a keyboard and spew the “I am right, you are wrong,…your opinion is not worthy,…your analytical skills are not not up to snuff…..it’s a joke now.
“Oh,…the horror,…the horror,….Curt Schilling might have a different opinion than me?” I guess I should open up the snarky comment silo, and launch some missiles? That’s a good time, right?
:)
I’m still waiting for someone to show me two human beings that think exactly alike!
Curt, don’t change,…keep on being you!
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!!
December 20th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Kurt,
I just read your blog. Interesting take on things Kurt. Roger Clemmens may or may not be guilty of taking steroid injections. If he is, and you suggest Clemmens give up his three Cy Youngs if he can’t clear his name, shouldn’t the Boston Red Sox withdrawl as being the world champions in 2007? Eric Gagne pitched that season, did he not. Gagne had a direct effect on the success you had in 2007. Congrats on your win!*
Not to change subjects or leagues, but shouldn’t your Patriots, if they happen to win it all this year, forfeit all their rings? Stop crying and concentrate on your pitching.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Curt
I respect you as a great player in the game even though i hate the red sox. but you have to get off the backs of the great players in the game. Once you have accomplished what roger clemens has then you should be able to call him out but for now just shut up and play the game
December 20th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Hey Curt maybe you should take back your comments about the number of players involved, the fact that you sat there and called Canceco a liar while you swore to tell the truth….when you knew he was dead on about the number of players involved makes you as big a hypocrite as Sammy pretending he forgot how to speak english or Palmero wagging his finger and lying about his steroid use. All this holier then thou act is kind of insulting because any real fan …much less a player who saw it every day…could see what was going on as far back as the late 80’s. Get real instead of bad mouthing Clemens spend your blog time calling for the resignation of that tool of a commissioner Selig. He was looking at attendance and revs with the owners while the sport so many americans love and care about was turned into the WWF. Did you forget the SI article you gave on the subject? Maybe some of you guys could devote some time traveling the country and warning high school athletes about the dangers of roids and quit pointing fingers at each other and calling for people to give back awards…THAT would be a step in the right direction. P.S. Although his motive was payback for being blackballed and really wasn’t all that honorable Canceco should be thanked for bringing baseballs dirty secret out in the open…..care to comment?
December 20th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Curt -
I’m not a Red Sox fan, but have ALWAYS been a Schilling fan. Ever since you indicated that had you been able to have lunch with any past sports star, it would have been Walter Payton. You say things like you see them, and that should be respected. I also believe that as a FAN of Roger Clemens, he should clear his name or be held accountable for his actions. Too many times are people afraid to give their opinions, and not be able to handle the consequences. You give your opinion and it should be respected. I agree with you and wish you and your family the very best. Good luck next year.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
When I heard about the Mitchell report before it came, I was thinking : what if I saw Schilling’s name on it. What would I say?
I said to myself: if Schilling did it, he should apologize for it. It is so simple.
What if Clemens had done it? Stand up and face it like an ADULT, just like he stood up and took award and cheer from the fans. It is so simple.
It is not about being jealous. I am a simple fan like you. For me it has been always about admiration when I look at these great pitchers.
These great played may not feel they owe the fans anything. But I do feel that they owe the fans an apology; they owe it to the people who really believe and admire them when watching the baseball games.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Wow, all these mis-spelled attacks on you using poor grammer. If I was going to attack you for stating something so obvious, I would first read what you wrote, then I would form a reasoned, well-written response instead of writing something that sounded like it was coming from a 5 year old.
That said, I agree with you, Curt. If someone didn’t use PEDs, then I would expect them to open their mouths right away at least saying that they were going to clear their name. I know if I was innocent, but accused of something, I would be maintaining my innocence to the world, telling everyone that would listen, “I didn’t do it!”
And if they did use PEDs, they should be subject to the same fate as Marion Jones…forfeiture of all awards during the time of the drug use. But I don’t think that their innocent teammates should have to return theirs as some have stated. Why punish the people who did it right?
December 20th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Wow lots of idiots out there! If you dont like Curt’s outspokeness don’t subscribe to his blog! Jonny damon and trot Nixon were not mentioned in the actuall Mitchell report!! And finally I dont think Curt was actually planning to get Roger to turn his recent Cy youngs, its called goading, and I think he is expressing as a baseball fan his disapointment and desirres that Roger would make a more direct stand against his alegations. Curt I had the same feeling when i saw OJ Simpson running away in that infamous slow speed chase, I did want him to be innocent and remebered his great accomplishments on the field, but like OJ, I dont think Roger is innocent my friend. Sorry.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
schillinghater -
Schilling holds the major league record for consecutive starts without allowing an unearned run, at 69 games; three time CY Young runner-up; 2001 co-World Series MVP and three World Series championship rings.
Overrated?!?! On what scale? Lay off the juice man, the roid rage is warping your mind.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Schill:
Good post. You are always very direct. And during this long, dark winter The Game is facing, that is certainly appreciated by me.
I grew up watching Clemens. So I will say that I hope he is innocent and clears his name. If not, then I think he should do exactly what you suggested: return his awards so that they can be given to the runners up.
After all, Marion Jones had to return the gold medals she won at The Olympics after it was proven that she used PEDs.
Pettite, to me, has always been a Yankee. That means as a Red Sox fan, I never wanted his team to win. Ever. But I respect him for admitting that he made a mistake.
It reminds me of something my pastor had once said [paraphrase], “The punishment is a lot less if you can admit you’ve done something wrong, but if you try to hide the truth you’re going to get what you deserve and then some.”
I hope the guilty players, whoever they are, realize that before it’s too late and The Game is tainted even more.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Curt how so many people mistook what you were saying is beyond me, if it was a friend of mine i would be saying the same thing, he needs to clear himself plain and simple, if he can’t do that then hes cheated his family, friends, fans of his and baseball in general. It annoyed me today listening to Skip “I’m probably the stupidest sports writer around” Bayless and whoever the lady was with him ragging on you today and everyone else for that matter, like you said its your opinion and if they don’t like it they don’t have to read it.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Hey there Curt, I am writing from the great Philadelphia area, land of the true Schilling team lol. Ok having said that, to the basic idea in this whole debacle, it’s obviously only a idea of mine or my personal opinion so here goes. In the first place why is it that no one is focusing on the dire need after the strike to bring fans back to the game, ergo make it more exciting as the baseball hierarchy was committed to do.
I can’t imagine that the whole league didn’t catch a steroid or HGH user, do people look that foolish…are we to believe that ooh my God, we never knew is the Commissioners known and only response? of course not they not only knew but encouraged it, to get fans back into the seats, owners are nothing more than prowlers over a prey, taking a carcass and wringing it out over the dry land till it’s use is of no more to them then on to the next. …and now cry wolf. I have to believe that Commisioner Selig, and the league is attempting to avoid some sort of legality that might in fringe upon their profits over this, as the reason why this has come to a head.This is a absolute joke…what a fool he is to try and ram this down our throats…to think he can say he never knew, nor did anyone in Authority did either is baseless, but then again he is the author of the tie all-star game….what a embarrasment he has been…if integrity is his desire he needs to do the first step…quit.
It is just another attempt to bury a athlete over something that was left to temptation ..one who needs to feed his family based only on his ability to produce numbers and consistently keep doing so, thus he errs and not only in integrity, but even worse his health down the road, and damage to the integrity of the game.
Interestingly enough George Steinbrenner had no problem signing him (Clemens) to a contract, you’d think that such a Legal Linguist as George, would have dotted his I’s and crossed his T’s, in testing his body for health fully before signing him, I’m sure he had to…and he didn’t know of the steroid abuse…thats hogwash. I agree with you in the opinion of that the records are a scam…absolutely…but who really is to blame?
The only thing Bonds, and others are guilty of is bad judgement, I’m sure these providers of the substances knew what they were doing, and to point out the players by the trainers, who went along with it and provide it at the time, states the support from the back door of the organizations that allowed this to occur.
How is this resolved, Bud Selig tells the truth that he knew and steps down, but that wont happen…after all he is a innocent bystander as usual. Best of luck Curt, Vito
December 20th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
In theory, I agree that Clemens should give up the Cy Youngs he won if he cannot prove any innocence…however, like a previous poster said above me, it opens up a whole new can of worms. Just how far can you take that? Can you take away wins of teams, which affect the entire season? It would completely re-write history to do something like that.
We have to start fresh now, instead of trying to fix the past. What’s done is done, it’s time to look ahead and put a serious end to this.
I do applaud you though, Curt, for taking a stand and saying something. I respect your opinion as an accomplished player who has achieved much through playing the game CLEANLY and fairly. God bless.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
It is not surprising that a man who has aligned himself with George Bush has no problem ignoring a person’s civil liberties to trample on his reputation. Your holier than thou attitude only makes sense. Have you ever spoken to Roger Clemens about this? Have you spoken to his accuser? I don’t think Roger got that opportunity. That used to be a right in this country, but in Curt and George’s world people are guilty until proven innocent. I hope one day some idiot accuses you of cheating or even worse, something illeagal. Then some clown with the wherewithall and a forum such as yours can fan the flames of your guilt. Who knows, maybe you’re a wife beater, child abuser, or closeted homosexual. Don’t like the sound of that huh? Then please keep the inflamatory opinions to yourself bigmouth.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Curt,
Why are you not asking for Barry bonds to take back those homeruns?
And why are you not going after anyone else on the mitchell report?
It looks to me that Roger clemens was sucjh a better pitcher then you that you need something like this to make you compare better to him?
You cannot sit there and say that out of the people named you had no idea what was going on ?
One could say that your guilty for not turning anyone in or maybe only people on your team were you benefit is ok ?
I think its called “ROGER” envy.
When you or anyone else can show me a failed test then indict roger until then go buy is jersey .
See im an old school baseball fan ,
Babe Ruth s idea of juice was drinking way to much by even todays standards and still hitting more homers than most.
You guys make way too much money for playing a game which you guys are making a mockery of .
also why not go after arod for making his statement in your world series game?
I dunno but I still live in a country that we are all innocent untill proven guilty.
But im sure Bush is trying to change even that .
December 20th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
it is astounding how fans and people who never played pro ball can comment and sound like they know what they are talking about. he cant pitch or he cant manage if his life depended on it, please people get a life and just watch and enjoy the game. curt i think that if players used drugs or cheated need to be punished and ammendments need to be made. dont allow the games misfortune sway you from greatness. you are the best i have seen and will ever see in my lifetime. you brought to boston a new life in the game and keep playing the best you can. and to those who think they know everything, tell us who you are and when you will be on the field next so we can all see how well your words fit into a glove and bat.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
“The distilled point by natefrancis:
Hey you guys telling Curt to shut up would you please shut up.”
Not at all. A blog commenter should be free to argue and counterpoint. If you think Curt’s post is moronic, abusive, off-base, etc, the comments here are open for you to express that. But “just shut up” is not an argument, it’s not defensible rhetoric, and it’s impolite. And it runs entirely counter to the purpose of a blog.
If I disagree with a blog author, or find no value in their posts, I simply don’t go to that blog anymore. I know you have a limited intellectual capacity, but this doesn’t seem hard to understand.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
jimboelliott
When i first read your comments i got real upset! I mean what kind of christian would initiate that kind of trash talk?? But if you cant lead by example, then maybe baseball is done!!! A sport I love full of so called christians, pointing fingers,, wrong !!! We are all children of god! You should pick up your brother, not knock him down!!! Nothing nice to say??? Then try to say nothing at all! I forgive you as a brother of christ, and respect your play! Please in the future try to be the bigger person!! take care and may god bless you and your family on this christmas holiday!! jimbo elliott
December 20th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
this report is a joke writtem by a past member of the red soc board of directors and will ba again soon omits the red sox,yet mo vaughn did them when he was there and targets the 2 new york teams.
and what about you and all the players whose salaries have made it so that poor people can not afford to go to the game, what is amasing is that brady andersens name was not on the list dit he ever hit even close to the 50 homers before or after whats even more bizzare is the cost of the report and that congress is involved when men and women r dying in irag
December 20th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
no edit button, but this whole steriods thing is killing baseball .. and if you know about and dont tell anyone you may as well be doing them yourself.
If you need steriods to compete then your too old or you are just not that good to begin with .
I dont care if its derek jeter arod curt shilling barry bonds or the newest triple a player that just got signed yesterday .
Drugfree is drugfree.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Hi Curt,
I agree completely with your points. I am a big Rocket fan, even after he left us. However, the average person is looking at this report, and the responses, or the lack of responses as if everything is black and white. If it were me, I would, like most of your following, run out and exclaim to the world, I didn’t do what I’m accused of. Enter into the equation lawyers and/or agents, and the ever damning media, and I think most of today’s athletes are encouraged to refrain from the popular emotional response. This is why we as pure sports fans, and not just baseball, from New England enjoy you so much in this area. You represent the athlete that has been lost in time. One who, win lose or draw will state your point, and stand behind it. For that, thank you. It is always a pleasure to hear you voice your opinions. Even if it isn’t the most popular. This is my first time on your site, and I have had a ball catching up with your writings. I will be certain to have my wife, and sons wear RED on every Friday. God Bless America… Go Sox, and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Nashua, NH
December 20th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
you know Curt you are this person who feels the need to point out about Roger because its good for the game or the fans or whatever fine.
But why dont we ever hear how you or anyone in baseball has helped the old timers out lets just take JR richards for instance .
was an awesome talent who instead of taking steriods he took crack cocaine and was living under a bridge.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Curt,
Good article and definitely on point. After reading the Mitchell Report, I cannot help but have serious doubts about Roger Clemens.
I hope he can successfully refute the report, but then again, I had hoped that Jose Canseco’s book wasn’t accurate.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Curt, if one is indeed INNOCENT, tell me HOW he proves that. It’s up to the accuser to produce EVIDENCE — that Roger Clemens is guilty of something. Of course you’re entitled to your opinion, as we all are but it sounds as if you’ve already made up your mind as to his guilt. If you truly are a friend, why not stand by him and BELIEVE that he’s innocent??? Tell me what PROOF there is that the man did anything wrong — just the fact that someone SAID it? Okay, tomorrow I’ll try to put an article in the newspaper that you’ve cheated on your wife. In fact I’ll say that I KNOW you’ve cheated on her because you did it with me. You see if I tell enough people in the right places, people will believe it won’t they? But will it be true? Of course not but that just doesn’t seem to matter anymore, does it?
December 20th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Kurt
Look man… I thought you had a brain. It is apparent that you lack either an IQ or just good old fashioned professionalism. With all your ramblings, please tell us why YOU declined to meet with Sen. Mitchell? Also, since you are such a “leader” of the anti-PED’s movement and feel it is “in the games best interest” for Roger Clemens to relinquish his wins, awards and such… then why don’t YOU step to the plate and give up your WS rings and wins from the past two WS wins?
Ya know… you sound a lot like the whiney little bitch from the playground that runs off crying to mommy.
Frankly, I have ALWAYS thought YOU had some help from PED’s… Just like you, we all are entitled to opinions. Until you take the steps to prove your innocence, then I will clump you in with the 83 named…because you know as well as anyone, there was MANY MORE than the 83 named.
Not being on a “list” doesn’t equate to innocent and clean.
Just my opinion.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Can’t people understand the difference between team awards and individual awards?
It is a hell of a lot easier to take away individual awards for *individuals* that cheated than it is to dive into “who had more cheaters on their team” and try to re-determine the outcome of baseball games.
You can’t possibly mess with team awards - nor is Curt advocating it. But you can definitely say that Canseco was cheating when he won his MVP. He has admitted it. Therefore, he should lose that award. It really isn’t that hard a concept.
The number of knuckleheads making comments is just astounding. I have determined that I’m not reading or making comments any more - way too much noise.
Curt - I was encourage you to turn off comments. By and large, they add nothing and only serves as a forum for ill-informed grain assaults and haters who make no logical argument - just spew idiocy…
I love reading this blog, Simmons’ stuff, etc - and almost all of the good stuff out there doesn’t allow people to submit comments. Provide an email address to allow people to send comments to and then just send any submissions right to the bit bucket.
and THANKS for a very entertaining editorial. Perspective from an active player is always good stuff.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
as much as i dislike the yankees i am still a clemens fan. i was really shocked and saddened by the allegations in the mitchell report. curt i really agree with what you said. and i really hope this doesnt turn into another Black Sox Scandal. My Hometown Hero was involved (supposedly) in that. Shoeless Joe Jackson. I just hope another of my heroes dont go down like that.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
I am not a Roger Clemens fan (or a Curt Schilling fan for that matter), but your demand that a man prove himself innocent of an act for which there is no evidence either way, is ridiculous. Equally as ridiculous is your question about who is more credible. The author of the Washington Post article states that the “rat” never spoke to Senator Mitchell until he was facing jail time, and only then did he tell the Senator “what he wanted to hear.” The author then wonders about the “rat’s” motivation to lie. Hmm… what could it be?
It is unfortunate that the court of public opinion finds one guilty until proven innocent, but your use of the pathetic adage “it is what it is” is beneath anyone with the slightest bit of common sense. However, it is not surprising coming from someone who compares the issue with the O.J. Simpson Bronco chase. The difference? As I recall, O.J. was fleeing from the police while aiming a gun at his own head.
A positive test or an admission, and I’m with you. However, in criminal or civil court, it is near impossible to prove one’s self innocent. If you merely want him to refute the charges, I think his “I didn’t do it should” suffice.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Roger? so the trainer told the truth abouy Petite and lied about Roger? So many sheep here………….he juiced, Canseco told the truth and Curt Schilling was a good soldier and played Scooter Libby in front of the Senate……when are you going to blog about your testemony in front of the country Curt? What a bunch of nonsense came out of your mouth that day……depends on what the meaning of “is” is?; or just flat out lying? The truth is the truth, be a man like Canseco and tell what you knew about the 93 Phillies. Tell what went on in that clubhouse. You may help a little kid avoid the hell of steroid abuse instead of protecting criminal drug users.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Cmon Curt! Give it a break! I have been a fan of baseball and The Red Sox since 1978. I appreciate you integrity, your work ethics as I understand them. This is a platform for you to express yourself as well as fans wishing to express themselves.
Roger laid down on his team in the 86 World series, every fan of the game and especially the Red Sox knew that. You have a blister, awwww I feel bad this was his last game of the season, you play until the finger falls off.
Roger Clemens was dominant pitcher in his prime. Until the Great Dan Duquette said he was in the twilight of his career. I guess after all these years he knew what he was doing huh? Roger is a cheater, liar, and an undeserving reciptient of awards he didn’t rightfully earn. He should NOT even be considered for the hall. End of story!
Now for you Curt, STOP! Why do you have to be the voice of reason? There are many ball players right now, and thousands in the past. Don’t let your chances of and hall votes be wasted because people didn’t like you for speaking your mind. Let a player who has no shot of making it.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
The past two days are why this blog is on my short list of “sites to check every morning”.
Thanks for being you, Curt.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
first, who’s fault is this situation the players,owners, trainers. If there was a strict policy in place in the first place we wouldn’t be having this discussion. second, steroids(not performing enhancing)are being introduced to kids in high school. owners want to fill seats so they want injuries to heal faster,pitchers to throw more strikes and big hitters to hit more home runs. Steroids are in every sport are we going to erase every record. They need to drop all these allegations and move forward enforce a new policy of drug free sports. If and when Clemens took steroids was there a policy in place to say it wasn’t allowed. Just because other big name players weren’t named doesn’t mean they didn’t take steroids, maybe you too took steroids(curt). You can’t just take steroids and go out and hit home runs or throw no hitters you have to have that ability in the first place. MOVE ON!!!
December 20th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
It is worth noting what Clemens attorney said to the media because in that statement, it is clear that he actually DID NOT deny steroid use.
This is because the statement is in lawyer speak (aka politician speak) in which words have to be parsed differently than in human speak. Really. This is something anyone who has spent time with lawyers and or politicians learns very quickly.
Here is the direct quote:
“I want to state clearly and without qualification: I did not take steroids, human growth hormone or any other banned substances at any time in my baseball career or, in fact, my entire life. Those substances represent a dangerous and destructive shortcut that no athlete should ever take.”
What he said is that he WANTS to state clearly and without qualification that he did not use steroids, followed by a COLON, then the rest of the sentence. This allows him to avoid providing the simple declarative sentence: “I did not take steroids.” THAT would have been a denial. THIS is a legal stalling tactic while they check out the case against them.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Curt,
The steroids should have been stopped long ago when they first started, now we the fans believe all of you cheated. Your just as guilty as everyone if you knew it was going on, although I believe you also used too. Every player should have to submit blood and DNA before the next season begins and if it shows they used then remove them from the game forever and their records also. The money y’all made was more important than the game to y’all. DNA will be the tell all, so, Curt would you be willing to submit a DNA sample ?
December 20th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Mr Shilling, I must applaud you for speaking your mind. I have no doubt you have taken a lot of grief because of it and personally don’t think you need to apologize for articulating an opinion…especially on yur own web site. That being said, if I may sunmit my two cents worth.
I for one, do not see the justification of apologizes from several players named in the Mitchel report. My gut instinct tells me these players came “clean” as a reult of fear. My belief is that they recognized the detailed accusations and realized they had no choice. The people who spoke with the investigators didn’t pull the names and dates out of a hat. They were very specific about who, when, and what. That, I would thing would give the players accused a reason to ponder the severity of their indiscretions.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Curt, I love your blog! I’m a huge fan of yours. But today, I am writing to say thanks to some of the folks who’ve responded to this latest post. Thank you, calio4life, for the “grain assault”. I’d love to see what it looks like when a “grain assault” takes place! Thanks, Matt1623, who can’t spell to save his life. Thanks, Cortesknows, for letting us know that Big Papi had been “let goed” by the Twins. And thank you, ihate38, for letting us know that when Curt shares his opinion, “no one care”. I had a really miserable day today, but you guys had me laughing so hard I was crying! Thanks again! And, Curt, pay no attention to those bozos! Keep sharing your opinions and, next summer, pitch like the master that you are!
Denise
December 20th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Curt,
Your comments are right on the money. Thanks for all you have done.
I’m happy your with the sox for this coming year.
In regards to Cancecos MVP, I beleive Mike Greenwell was next it should go to him.
Merry Christmas
December 20th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Where is the line drawn? These components athletes are taking are typically found naturally in the body - creatine, testosterone, growth hormones etc. So do you ban everyone taking creatine? Protein shakes? What if an athlete genetically over produces testosterone or growth hormone, is he/she banned from professional sports? My personal opinion is that you cannot strip a baseball player of their accolades because you will be penalizing the few who are caught, and not the majority who are using. Jones was stripped of her olympic medals for individual efforts AND the relay but how can you fairly take away medals from say, Clemens, when the batters he faced likely were using some kind of enhancer? In this day and age of medicine, heck, isn’t a knee operation a performance enhancer? Or glasses/contacts? Where is the Darwinism here? Clearly that athlete was not the strongest to survive, but with modern medicine we can put almost any athlete back on the field or improve their output. And what is going to happen in say 30 years when parents genetically design their children to be more intelligent, taller, left handed? Yikes, we are going to need new leagues - the boring natural athlete, and then those that will do anything to be the best. I better take some sleeping pills right now so I can best compete for tomorrows boardroom meeting. And right before, a redbull. We are all competing against each other…
December 20th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Mr Shilling, I must applaud you for speaking out on the Mitchell Report issue. I for one don’t think you need to apologize for articulating your opinion, especially on your own web site. I’ve no doubt you have and will continue to get grief for your stance.
I personally agree with what you wrote. From my perspective, simply as a fan, that these transgressions are unforgivable. Whether professional athletes agree or not, they are representatives of a company/business and in being so, should be held accountable for their actions. Because of the nature f this particular business, these players serve as role models to young men and women who aspire to achieve success in their future, chosen endeavors, be it sports or any other vocation. To take lightly this exalted station is unquestionably an act of irresponsibility. For those players who have been named and continue to remain silent is, to be sure, an outright act of cowardice. Perhaps I am old fashioned (I have been accused of this a time or two) but an adult owns up to his transgressions without excepetion, hesitation or regret.
In the case of the players who have stepped forward, I am amazed at the kudos bestowed upon them. Andy Petitte’s “apology”, as an example, does not strike me as a heart felt regret, but more as attrition. It is my gut feeling that given the detailed conversations that Senator Mitchell and his investigators outlined in the report indicates to me they are truthful. These gentlemen, (those whom the Senator conversed) for whatever motivations, were too detailed and exact in the who, what and when of their statements/accusations. I cannot help but feel Petitte, Roberts, Vina, etal came “clean” not as an act of conscience but as a residue of fear. I think they recognized that the report, being as detailed as it is regarding their individual participation was too close to the truth to be “made up” or fabricated.
It amazes me how many people have posted opinions stating how they feel the report is a “sham” or a “witch hunt”. It is almost laughable , the accusations of bias on Senator Mitchell’s behalf. These names weren’t drawn out of a hat. They were reported because they indeed engaged in illegal acts. This I have absolutely no doubt. I also believe in time, the full truth will come out and that a majority of the players named will come to terms with their involvement. (However, I must say, I think Roger Clemens will be the very last to do so) The players must surely realize this. Or at least the ones who have already issued statements admitting their involvement with PEDs realize it.
Another issue that I find troubling regards possible punishment, sanctions, or bans. The emphasis seems to be on monetary punishments first and formost. I have read some articles,posts and opinions that state, “nothing” will be done. This nothing seems to center on the monetary issue and some on the suspensions/bans. That, in my opinion, is not what should be the issue. The issue is about honor, integrity, and responsibility as adults. As adults, be one a professional athlete, a school teacher, the police officer on the local beat or any other station in life, we are entrusted to set examples. And yes, it is damn difficult to always act accordingly. But one shouldn’t have the threat of punishment as an enducement to behave in an adult fashion. These men who have been called upon the carpet must not answer to just baseball, but the country as well. they must answer to the generations that follow. Their own children as well as the children who adore and idolize them for what they should stand for are the pheriperal victims here. They must act not in fear of a lighter wallet or the absence of a distant Hall of Fame honor, but as men, as adults. As responsible citizens.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Thanks for speaking out and I agree with you 100%…except I have long had my suspicions that Roger has been supplementing. Look at how his physique has changed over the years as well as his numbers.
It cracks me up that people finally know *some* of the truth about some players who have been using PEDs. Lenny Dykstra…that was obvious when he came back from supposedly a summer’s worth of hard weight training with 30 lbs more muscle. Humans canNOT put on 30 pounds of muscle in one summer, let alone a year without a lil sumthin sumthin.
But back on Roger, I guess you got your bubble busted on your “idol.” He’s shown his guilt by not coming out and publicly denying usage, end of story as far as I’m concerned. Like most baseball fans/players I’d have a little bit of respect for the man if he would come out and admit that he used but he’s going to try to use Barroid’s methodology. Good luck with that, Rog!
December 20th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Hey Curt….glad I could be of assistance
:
“All of you screaming yahoos who repeat the phrase “[i]n this country everyone is innocent until proven guilty” or some variation of that have to understand one thing: That is the standard in a court of law - not a court of public opinion! Curt did not say he was writing as a judge or a jury!! How many of you who are quick to defend Clemens have written or said that OJ is guilty!? Many, I’m sure. Yet, OJ was found not guilty - in a court of law! Does that mean he’s innoncent? Of course not! My opinion: I don’t need a court of law to tell me, no matter what standard of proof that is in play, that OJ and Clemens are both guilty - one of double homicide and the other of using PEDs; I believe that both are guilty. Can I state with certitude? Of course not; I don’t have personal knowledge. Would I bet the family farm on it? Indeed I would. I had alot of respect for the late Boston sportswriter Will McDonough, who labeled Clemens, a long time ago, the “Texas Con Man.” All of the circumstantial evidence is enough, for me anyway, to believe he used steroids. I also believe he asked Darrell Johnson to come out of that World Series game, despite his denials. I’d respect Roger Clemes more if he just told the truth. Again, I could be wrong, but I very much doubt it.”
p.s. Thanks for posting that video of the troops in the airport…very moving.
Take it easy.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
curt (loser),
When are you going to do us a favor and shut your trap? You always have to try to put the spotlight on you. I’m just wondering why you weren’t the first one to talk to sen. Mitchell . You would probably have ratted out you’r own teamates if it would have made you look better. I’m pretty sure we all know the reason you didn’t. (I know you Boston fans are a little slow so …I’m saying you probably used steriods yourself).
December 20th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Curt -
Sorry - this reply is not to you.
To those who are blasting Curt here on his blog… who are you anyways? Where are your brains? Please just step away from your testosterone-driven loyalty of your team for one second and use your own head to assess the situation here.
Forget who wrote the report. Forget Shilling’s loyalties. Stop acting stupid and single-minded. You’re really making baseball look worse because you call yourselves its fans. Stop now. Please.
I was born a Yankee fan, had box seats my entire childhood watching Don Mattingly in awe from about 30 feet away. I have followed them religiously into my thirties. A part of me died in 2004 because one piece of magic I still wanted to believe in (the curse) was broken. I love the game. I love the history. I love everything about it.
I do believe Curt is a fan while also being a player. Sure, he’s outspoken and no one likes to be told the way it is from someone they are supposed to hate. (Which, by the way, is soooo funny how some of you so easily defend Clemens now when you used to be the ones hating on him in his bosox days. Whatever, another stupidity for another time).
But if you leave all of your loyalties behind for just a second, and just hear the facts of what we’ve all been shown so far, it should just make sense to you. What Curt is writing just makes sense based on HUMAN BEHAVIOR. Curt doesn’t claim to be psychic or a genius. He’s using two cents and his experience as a human being to say, “If I were not guilty at all of a serious allegation that would ruin my image in the guise of a lifetime of hard work, and someone accused me, I would do everything in my power to clear my name and make that person pay.” He’s HOPING it’s false just like the rest of us as fans. Is there really any other way of looking at it? Not to mention if you read the report and the level of detail in which the allegations are made! This ain’t just someone saying “Ummm, Roger Clemens did it, too. Oh, and Kenny, I mean Lenny. And oh yeah… Andy, too, I kinda remember something like that!” Not even close, guys.
All I am asking of you lunatics is to calm down and use your own head to do some thinking rather than to criticize Curt for thinking for us. He’s not saying anything you shouldn’t be able to put together on your own.
Try it. It might hurt at first, but this world will look so much clearer to you once you get used to it. Best of luck.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Curt,
I never heard of your Web site until I read your blog in today’s Austin American Statesman. Nice site…keep up the great work!
Not sure if this has been posted in your blog or if you have given it any thought, but here goes…
Have you adressed the issue of players that claim they are clean be willing to take a polygraph test? Seems like they would jump at the opportunity if they are really clean. From what I remember, innocently accused usually volunteer immediately to prove their innocence.
Curt, what do you think about presenting that option to see who would comes forward??? I’d like to see you do it to see who is real and who is phony. Thank you!
Steve in San Marcos, TX
December 20th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Regarding Steroids: Which ones are “legal” to use?
any steroid will help, speed or increase a healing process.
Even Curt Shilling used steriods!!! Remember being on the mound
at Fenway; blood on the sock; had gotten a cortizone (”steriod is steriod in any language”) injection…so how does one who lives in a glass house throw rocks?
Judge one against what is true about one’s self!
No one is perfect in this life, and mistakes can be made; good intensions are/may really be wrong.
So Curt, take the perfection of yourself and quietly Shut up !
December 20th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Curt !!!!
Very well written. I couldn’t agree more….without making any accusations or sitting in jugdement of anyone - I believe that baseball needs to move on…..those who have admitted use - should have awards stricken..period end of discussion…then regulated testing needs to be employed for everyone…..sad that a few bad apples have to ruin it - but it is the only way to move and get back to playing baseball…..
All need to remember that actions will always speak louder than any words ever written or spoken…..also talk the talk and walk the walk…….
thanks for your sharing your blogs…….
December 20th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Curt,
Long time fan, first time blogger. Thanks for all the great memories over the years. I was nervous about writing a reply, but the longer I have thought about this whole steroid situation, I could not think of a better place than here to air out some of my feelings.
I have always thought that using any type of illegal substance, whether to enhance performance or otherwise, is just that, ILLEGAL. Now when you get into these “gray” areas of steroids, creams, clears, powders, etc., some people think that it’s o.k., and their answers of ” I didn’t know” or “They told me it was o.k. to use” is total BS. If you (i.e. Clemens, Petite, Bonds) used something that is illegal, and DOCUMENTED as being such, then you cheated, and any records, awards, etc. should be null and void, PERIOD.
Now if you have been accused of doing such a thing, then I feel there are only two options: 1) You should do the honorable thing and step forward and admit to it. As an athlete that gets payed ALOT of money, and that thousands of fans pay ALOT of money to see you perform, you owe it to them and yourself. Yes, you will have to deal will the fallout, but guess what, you did it to yourself. 2) Whoever is accusing you of having done such a thing should prove it. Provide documented, hard proof that it happened and thats that. Otherwise, they should leave you alone and move on, period.
I also feel that a policy should be in place, such as mandatory drug testing, that would support my 2nd option. Step up to the plate, take the test, prove that you are not taking anything and be done with it.
Sorry to take up so much space, hope I made my self clear.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Good post and some good comments here. You need to stop beating yourself up. It’s the low man on the totem pole that holds everyone else UP……you’re a special kind of ACE. I heard Kevin Millar on XM radio last week saying this report came out at the worst possible time…he’s absolutely right. There’s never a good time for bad news but early January would have been preferable in my mind. Now can we please move on and put this behind us?
Oh, and once you stop chasing Shonda around the house with the mistletoe, I hope you got her some SERIOUS bling this year!
Love Ya!
***JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON***
December 20th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
I don’t get it! What is it will all the Schilling haters on here? This is Curt’s personal blog with HIS thoughts and opinions. Are you all so mad that some of your hero’s may have cheated and Curt dared to say anything?
Misplaced anger much?
The truth is the truth and Curt is calling it they way he sees it.
What’s makes you think you know more than he does?
You tell him to mind his own business, this is his business!
Curt, I applaud you for posting all the replies but, please delete these a-hole comments, you’re giving them a platform to spew.
Peace
December 20th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
Well, I’m one of those “innocent until proven guilty” types in some sense. I do think we should give the accused players an opportunity to share their side of the story before we decide the allegations are true.
That being said, I like what you’re writing and saying on this subject. I may not agree with all of it, but at least you’re making me think. That’s the thing about blogging. As the blogger, you have control of what we’ll talk about. You put out your opinions. I may agree or I may disagree, so I get to leave comments. It’s the intelligent “give and take” discussion that really makes a good blog. Although there are a few dummies in the crowd, overall it seems like you’ve got a good thing going here.
Bottom line is that it’s your blog, so you get to say what you think. Even when I have a different opinion, I still think your stuff is a pretty good read. And the insider perspective is pretty special. Keep up the good work and don’t let the chuckle-heads bother you.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
Curt,
I think your points are very valid. There is no way as a fellow player or fan that you could post your thoughts on this whole matter and not be blasphemed by some out there who believe you have ulterior motives. We all would love to see ALL the players named in this report put forth the public effort to clear their names. If they can’t and we come to the point of “re-gifting” past awards, what does that really solve? I mean, does anyone actually remember who finished 2nd in the voting for the 1987 AL Cy Young? Of course not, and no one cares, they just care that their team has the best shot to win the World Series in 2008.
This is not a simple matter of innocent till proven guilty or guilty till proven innocent. It is an issue with the source of the report and his validity to speak accurately. I’m sure that in many homes, there was a collective sigh of relief when the Mitchell report was released to all of those who were not named in this report. But…the question is a valid one, what would you or any of your fellow players do if you had been named and had no association with steroids? Would you immediately lash out in the media, or would you take a few days or weeks, especially around the holidays, to collect your thoughts, consult with your advisors, speak with your attorneys, your manager, your GM, your owner, your family and put together a well-spoken response to the accusations that could potentially destroy your career? If Clemens is guilty, if Bonds is guilty, if any of the players named are guilty, the truth will come out. The fact that he has not been more publicly adamant yet about his innocence doesn’t bother me as a fan, just so long as he fights back at some point. It’s simply too early to pass judgement. It does seem very convenient and glamorous though to be able to throw some of the biggest names in the history of the game in the report to make it read and publicized. Until then, I hope you are right, I hope that Clemens, especially, is able to clear his name and we all can believe that this guy is and will continue to be, a great role model for our kids playing baseball.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Curt,
Big fan of your on the field “antics”, not so much of your off the field though. How [as a fan] do I know if you “used” or not? If on the off-chance that Roger is not guilty of what has been alleged, what will your commentary be? Will you have one?
It’s kind of easy to point out all of these things after the fact (Mitchell Report), if you were friends/teammates of some of these other guys, where were you? No blogging about exploits? No Congressional testimony?
Come on, stick to the pitching - the ball to opposing batters, and less to pitching unsubstantiated holier-than-though commentary.
Thanks.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Curt,
So true, why would a couple of locker rats throw two potential HOF’ers just for the heck of it? Also, weren’t they both indicted for distribution? If their list is accurate, wow! All Clemens had to do is come out and say that he didn’t do it, but he waited and this led us all to believe that he was making excusses. When Andy Pettite came out and said that it was for Rehad purposes he was full of it. Didn’t you have to Rehab yourself during the past few years? Any HGH? I think the scary thing is that we dont even know the whole list. If we did then we wouldnt have been as shocked. I am a huge Giants fan and have grown up loving all that the Franchise has done, but the best thing they ever did was to support its player(Bonds) when he faced questions of using. I have always felt that something wasn’t right there, but that doesn’t change the fact that he has great Hand Eye. I think personally that they all if found guilty should have the same fate of Pete Rose. Sorry guys NO HOF.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
Curt,
I’m sure that you don’t have the time to view every post but I wanted to take the time to thank you for your keen insight on this issue.
There are a lot of people in our world today that are either naive or just plain stupid when it comes to effective argument. The get so caught up in how sharp someone is being in the argument that they miss the truth. In fact, this is an outgrowth of the post-modern world in which we live.
The art of “Polemics” is a skill, developed and nurtured that is quite effective at “defending the truth against error.” You are definitely skilled in this art. I encourage you to continue to speak up, yell from the pulpit (if necessary), don’t be ashamed of it, it is your gift. Even if you have failure in your personal life…all of us have…this doesn’t exclude you from speaking the truth.
Thank you…
December 20th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
I agree with everything you said. I was talking to my twin brother who pitched with you in the mid-90’s and we both agree with you. If my name came up about using PED, then in 20 minutes I would hold a press conference denying. the longer you wait, the worse it looks. If you did them just say you did and come clean. I am glad you speak your mind….more players need too….
December 20th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
Curt, glad to see that you’ve got the nuts to stand up and make as bold a statement as you did. If he’s clean, what’s the problem. Baseball has only to look as far as themselves to blame for the entire HGH mess. Random testing or the fear of with strong deterents should bring the sanctity back to the national pasttime.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
I am amazed at how many idiotic posts have been made in response to Curt’s comments. (Some of you don’t even spell his name right. It starts with “C”, not “K”.) Did someone send this link to the Yankees?? So much criticism of Curt for his OPINION. He has a right to say what he feels. He hasn’t accused Roger of cheating. He’s simply saying that Roger needs to fight back if he’s innocent and I agree. I’d be screaming bloody murder if someone accused me of this and my career and reputation were on the line for something I didn’t do. The guy who has accused Roger has nothing to gain from lying. In fact, it’s just the opposite. However, that doesn’t mean he’s telling the truth. So far, it’s an accusation, not proven fact. Eventually, the truth will come out, either as verification of the accusations against him, or proof that the guy lied. In the meantime, give Curt a break. Just because he says something you don’t agree with doesn’t make him a horrible person. This is his blog and he can say anything he wants. If he angers you so much, perhaps you shouldn’t come here anymore.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Curt, I’m not a baseball fan but I read Game of Shadows with a lot of interest. And I am furious about the steroids issue because it is SO UNFAIR to the players who didn’t use steroids. It’s like the steroids users stole all the attention, the endorsements, the big contracts, etc. away from other players. That is the shame of it. And the players’ union roadblocking steroids testing is just protecting the cheaters, not the honest guys. Disgusting. As for Roger Clemens, you are so right…if he or anyone else named in Mitchel’s report didn’t do it, then they should just due for defamation of character and that would solve it. As you rightly pointed out, Barry Bonds has never sued…what does that tell you? However, Bo Jackson was alleged to have used steroids by a California newspaper and he turned around immediately and sued and guess what?…he got an apology from the newspaper. So why isn’t Barry suing? Why isn’t Roger suing? Come on…we know very well the answer to that question and those who continue to sing the “give them the benefit of the doubt” are really denying what they really think is true. Sure, if you have a smoking gun it doesn’t mean the gun was fired, but would you be surprised if it had been fired?
Lastly, Curt, I’d like to know your opinion about Roger’s spurt in terms of his performance…does anyone start to improve their performance dramatically at that stage in life? How about your opinion on Barry’s dramatic change in appearance over time? How about his big head? Doesn’t a dramatic improvement in performance and size which is such a departure from prior experience constitute a…well, a smoking gun? I’m looking forward to hearing your opinion.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Couldn’t agree more. I am glad to see your rebuttal after the media decided to slant your first blog on this subject. I have been a lifelong fan of the Rocket, and of course a Red Sox fan since I was an embryo. I am in the same camp as you, as I wish that I could wake up tomorrow morning and my MLB heroes could refute these claims and we can all go back to looking up to these people with childish awe. The hardest thing about it for me is that I feel like we have all lost some innocence in the process because the sports figures we grew up watching with starry-eyed amazement now look like cardboard facades amidst this mass deflation of MLB.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Curt, you have every right to give your opinion and throw in your two pennies. Why do people discredit someone’s opinion just because they “are an ignorant player”? Yes, an ignorant player that is more of a student of the game than any ESPN analyst or Yankee fan that thinks the season starts in late September. Curt Schilling knows more about what it takes to prepare to pitch and how you hit a decline when you reach 40. Where was Roger’s decline? I thought it happened around 1997…. then something happened…
Additionally, if anyone watched the playoffs Game 1: Beckett Game 2: Schilling. Dice-K had a mediocre ERA and was too inconsistent to be considered a reliable #2.
How many players actually take the time to interact with fans on such a wide scale on a daily basis for FREE? Answer: 1.
Start your own blog called “ignorantyankeefan.com” and I’ll make sure I take the time to read it… stop wasting everyone else’s time.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Curt,
You remind me of the character (doctor) Alec Baldwin played in the movie Malice, you think you are GOD, you have that GOD Complex, interesting how so many call these players cheaters, I wonder if they are under the same complex as you????
The court of public opinion can be wrong, very wrong, and it can be very right as well, in this case we will probably never know. Isn’t it ironic that no Boston players were named?? Pretty biased towards the Yankee’s, and I am not a fan of either team, just of the game. There is not a better game than baseball IMHO.
Your motives though are obvious, all the players who take your approach are only propping themselves up, where were your opinions 10, 15 years ago????
Schilling, I have seen you take the high road several times, this time though, you should have kept your opinions to yourself and the Mitchell Report should have kept the names out of it, if they really want results, do serious testing from this point forward, quit pointing fingers and making ALLEGATIONS with out PROOF!!! McNamee can testify in court and again it will be his word against Clemens, testing is the only way to know the truth.
I believe this path that MLB is on will do more harm for the game than good…….your opinion is just one perfect example of it.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
@dp1234 (comment #123):
If you find Curt to be such an idiot why do you bother reading his posts?
December 20th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
I’ve been a fan in NY, and as a fan, I want to see the people accused of using steroids, especially Clemens to be exonerated. If Clemens can find a way to prove he hasn’t used any PED’s, that would be great. However, considering that its a lot more difficult to prove innocence, i find it a lofty goal, but not a likely one. The only thing Clemens can do is prove that no one has proof of steroid use.
By the way, despite being a lifelong Yankee fan, or because of it, I’d consider you to be number 3 or 4 out of the guys you mentioned, depending on if Clemens did use steroids.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
@crosetti2 (comment #105):
From what I’ve seen, Curt doesn’t reply to comments individually but instead, uses the same method used with the current post. In other words, he writes his responses as all-encompassing blog posts intended to address the comments as a whole.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
I’ve read just a few posts and thought I would chime in with some intelligent discussion. Curt, I think your a great pitcher, and in a perfect even-handed (level playing field) world, well who knows. Steroids and HGH can make average players great and great players superhuman. But it appears to me that most of your readers who have responded are not capable of having an intelligent debate. So I’ll leave it at that.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
It truely does stink that Roger may have used Performance Enhancing Drugs. The only issue I have with taking awards back is that hitters were taking them as well. That doesn’t make it right by any standard, but it does make it harder based on the arguement that hitters did it as well. I know its hear-say evidence against Clemens, but it seems pretty damning based on what I read in the actual report, and the testimony linked in your latest entry. I agree with you. SHOW US PROOF YOU DIDNT DO IT ROCKET!! As a former Collegiate player, I know many kids who chose to juice based on the influence of the big leaguers who did. Anybody who thinks big leaguers do not influence young men aged 16-22 isn’t noticing how much you guys are idolized. The worst part of this is that every big leaguer’s career has been tarnished in the eyes of the public. Honestly, I blame the owners and the union. What was President Bush doing when he owned the Rangers when Conseco, Palmeiro, and other known juice-monkeys were on his team?? The whole issue is screwed up from the top down. The last thing I’ll say Curt, is that I believe you that your career has been free of PED’s. You don’t seem like you would be dumb enough to pull a “Palmeiro” and be embarassed soon after. I hope the Hall of Fame voters who had ANY doubt about putting you in (which I feel you’ve earned already), REALLY think about your playoff record, your championships, and the 3,000 K’s to do the right thing and place your plaque in Cooperstown. See you at Spring Training during spring break..Good Luck!!
December 20th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Curt,
I am compelled to write given the short history of the steroids era in baseball. As a fan, I can only look at the period since the late 80’s, the bash (roid) brothers, into the 94 strike and the fantastic recovery of baseball post strike (mostly due to the march to break 61 in in 1998) as a period of complete greed. $$$$$$$
It all starts at the top and Bud Selig owns the ultimate responsibility. In 1991 Fay Vincent sent a memo to MLB team and the Players Union “The possession, sale or use of any illegal drug or controlled substance by Major League players or personnel is strictly prohibited … This prohibition applies to all illegal drugs … including steroids.”.
It was important to Fay in 1991, at a time when steroids allegedly just touched the surface of baseball. It was the type of leadership the game of baseball needed and deserved. Under Selig we have seen some good (wild card/inter-league play), but the steroid legacy will haunt him the rest of his life. Selig resided over the largest economic period of growth for baseball. Players and owners alike have made a lot of money….the genesis being the march to the single season home run record…..Big Mac/Sammy Sosa $$$$$$
A matter of perspective…….Steroids were not policed by baseball………..
For the players (especially the one’s that were/are on the bubble), steroids offered them the competitive advantage to accomplish one thing, the big contract. I see that, friends of mine used steroids to only fall short in their quest. But ask any one of them, 3 million dollar contact, For any person with an opportunity to make millions taking steroids may afford them the opportunity and depending on your perspective, a choice many might make. $$$$$
Other players that would use steroids could lengthen careers that would maybe would not have lasted as long. More money again…..if you can increase or maintain productivity……..that equals more dollar signs $$$$$
The elite players, again lengthen careers, make ridiculous amounts of money and for some to create a legacy that would transcend time. Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire……..elite athletes all linked to steroids now……all with amazing statistics…..especially late in their careers. CRAZY $$$$$
We can only look back and be compelled to see greed as the ultimate component of the steroid era in baseball. Baseball had the opportunity to put the best foot forward and (attempt) to rid the game of the cheaters. Baseball will always have their share, but never as prominent as it has been for the last decade in baseball.
It took an act of congress for baseball to do anything compelling about steroids. In my opinion, baseball is guilty until proven innocent in the court of public opinion. Bud is the ultimate owner (pun intended) and for baseball to move forward, his resignation should be tendered.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
Curt:
Let me throw out a couple of things to chew on.
1. While right now, the Mitchell report is front page news, 20 years from now will people really care.
In 1990 or 91, before he died, former Raider Lyle Alzado blamed steroids for his cancer that had eaten at his 255 lb frame to a meager 130. Those athletes that have used steroids or HGH have not paid attention to the Lyle Alzados and Mike Websters of the world. Those who do not pay attention to history are bound to repeat it.
2. Regarding the Hall of Fame voting, the BWAA Hall of Fame guidelines speak about qualifications for Hall enshrinement. Among those is a paragraph that says, in effect, that a player must be a “credit” to the game. A look at those in the Hall says something completely different. Some like Mickey Mantle were alcoholics, some like Wade Boggs committed adultery on a regular basis, some like Ty Cobb and many that had to play against Jackie Robinson were devout racists, and BABE RUTH regularly visited speakeasys to drink during prohibition…therefore committing a federal crime. However currently only nine players are banned from being considered for the Hall of Fame; the eight White Sox players from 1919 and Pete Rose.
We have no idea how many players were high on grass or uppers in the 1960s and 1970s. And didn’t David Wells say he was drunk when he threw his perfect game for the Yankees? Additionally nowhere does it say that steroids and HGH improves a player’s hand-eye coordination; you still need to see the ball and put the bat in the right spot to hit the ball.
In the final review, those men accused (ACCUSED, not convicted) of steroid use will or will not be put in the Hall based on what they did between the lines.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
The truly tragic thing about this whole PED situation, which very few have addressed or commented on in their responses to Curt’s post, is the impact on the young people who look up to these MLB players, whether they be fans or hopeful/future players themselves. What kind of message has been sent to them? Talent will get you into the league, but steroids or other PED’s will get you into the record books or Hall of Fame! Or to take that further than baseball, hard work will get you close, but cheating will get you to levels you never imagined in your career. McGwire, Sosa, Bonds, Clemens, Petit all unbelievable talents, and probably the most looked up to players by young people in the past 10 years and unfortunately all suspected, and some admitted steriod or PED users. As for the suspected, anyone who has any sense about them will realize that the human body doesn’t ‘grow’ like their’s has in their mid 30’s. It just doesn’t happen! That is indisputable.
Baseball, the “institution” and players, has always, always been the one thing that young kids, and grown-ups for that matter, have always held dear and looked up to. Unfortunately, a portion of our culture that we always thought, or atleast hoped would stay clean has not. It has fell prey to the