Back in the day I was a big fan of Rocket Roger and when he signed with the Jays even though he was coming off a couple of so so years, I was real happy. I wasn't expecting miracles; after all it looked like Rog was on the downside. His value had decreased to the point where I actually had gotten him in a trade in my fantasy baseball league for Todd Walker an upcoming second baseman that could hit. Walker ended up being an OK hitter, it was just things like catching the ball that he had trouble with.
Clemens was lights-out. His ERA improved by more than a run and a half per game. He won another Cy Young and I became a bigger fan. I have to admit the turn around was really astounding. What is interesting is his turn around happened at the same time that he met trainer Brian McNamee in Toronto. McNamee is quoted as saying that Roger said he could feel the beneficial effects of the shots that McNamee was giving him. Canseco in his book says the players called the steroid shots - B-12 shots amongst themselves. Clemens said McNamee gave him B-12 shots. Canseco says the B-12 shots were in reality steroids. Something happen at that time that caused Clemens to not only get back on track but have some of his best statistical years ever.
I'm not sure what truly happened but it may have been just a case of Rog liking the good healthy Canadian lifestyle and a diet of beer, back bacon and maple syrup. Of course we also always take our vitamins.
My apologies to everyone, if this is e-mailed unwantedly. I'm not sure how this works.
Pitchers - even Hall of Fame pitchers have good years and bad years at seemingly random points in their career. Not that Brentwood was implying the contrary, but just because Roger Clemens suddenly had a huge comeback when he joined the Blue Jays, does not prove he was taking performance enhancers during that time. In fact, not every performance enhancer improves one's game dramatically. You have to know how to train properly with it. I am not denying Clemens took performance enhancers, either, I'm just not certain. It appears that he did. It appears that many, but not all players did, too, likely far more than we have heard about in the Mitchell Report.
Professional and seriously competitive amateur sports have crossed a threshold. Athletes have gone beyond what is healthy for them to achieve success. We are watching glory and fortune seekers throw themselves to the lions. We would be just as happy if they didn't, although, we are probably just a little happier when athletes representing our tribe do whatever it takes (without getting caught, hopefully) to beat out their rivals. To that degree, we share their guilt.
I live in TDot that's Hog Town or the Big Smoke if you're more familiar with those names. The post office refers to it as Toronto.
In my life time the Leafs have won 4 or 5 cups, the Blue Jays have won a couple of World Championships , the Argos have won a whole bunch of cups and even the basketball team has a pennant hanging from the ceiling. I've watched and cheered for them all.
I've coached little league and played online fantasy sports. I used to buy newspapers for the sports but I've stop buying newspapers. Haven't bought one in years. The funny thing is I work for a paper. It's entertainment orientated with no sports coverage. I don't read it either.
I'm more a fan of players than teams but I do have a few fave teams. The Wings would be one. I've liked them since I was a kid
