Roger Clemens...Why?

As I had a few hours to digest after seeing the Congressional hearing I wondered why Clemens would take the time to sit up in front of America and tell a ridiculous story about HGH, his wife, and Andy Petitte's misunderstanding that talking about HGH only referred to his wife's experimentation with the drug to help her keep a youthful appearance.

WTF?

Why wouldn't he just keep his mouth shut? He pushed for this hearing. He didn't have to do it. So why if he could figure at least some of the stuff that would be coming at him and had already figured out how ridiculous some of his answers would sound?

I think I know why.

Future Earnings Potential.

His playing career may or may not have been over if he'd shut up like McGwire. I don't think Clemens is worried about getting a team to lay a contract in front of him even


with the steroid cloud over him. Gary Bennett has a job. Giambi still has a job.

What I think Roger Clemens is worried about is all the endorsement deals and commercials he could have done once his storybook career culminated with his hall of fame induction which would increase interest in him as a "hot", marketable, athlete that could do Enterprise Rent-a-Car commercials and the like.
That won't happen now that he's labeled a cheater.

Look at McGwire now. He was on TV all the time during the home run chase. He was a household name. He's nowhere now. His name isn't worth dirt now.

Clemens is now, despite his attempt to rehabilitate his image, is in this unmarketable boat because his story wasn't good enough to clear his name. He did try though. If he had clammed up there would be no chance of him having marketability a la Bonds even though his statistics say he's the best hitter of all time. There was interest in the record, but not so much in the person breaking it. It sold seats, but not memorabilia.

The funniest commentary was by the Mr. Feliciano from FSN on Rome's ESPN show who said Clemens' answers at times made that pageant contestant that made that incomprehensible answer look eloquent.

At least he tried though.

I'm not even gonna get into how his statements might have sabatoged his ability to stay out of prison. Maybe tomorrow.