Andy Pettitte key to Clemens case

[Auggie]

espnNewYork.com / 8-20-10

Andy Pettitte's sworn statement that Roger Clemens admitted using human growth hormone was a critical factor in a federal grand jury's decision to indict Clemens on charges he lied to Congress, according to the top Republican on the House committee that held a 2008 hearing on performance-enhancing substances in baseball.

"If it was just Roger versus Brian McNamee, it's a different matchup," former Rep. Tom Davis of Virgina told ESPNNewYork.com by phone. McNamee is Clemens' former trainer who claims to have provided the pitching great with HGH and steroids -- claims Clemens has vehemently denied. "We didn't call Andy Pettitte, we deposed him, and he supported McNamee and that was a problem for (Clemens)," Davis said. "Without Pettitte, neither McNamee nor Clemens was that articulate or credible."

Pettitte revealed he used HGH that was provided by McNamee to expedite his recovery from an injury. Pettitte said in his deposition that his former teammate, Clemens, also acknowledged using HGH.

SNIP

"Andy Petttitte didn't want to testify against his friend," Davis said. "But when he raised his right hand, he told the truth. It would've been different without him. Roger was a great pitcher who's done a lot for the community, and McNamee's had other issues."

MORE: http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5479748

[JonLP24]

1. I actually watched part of the Congressional session from '08

with Clemons, McNamee, and a lawyer for the Mitchell Report on C-SPAN earlier. I couldn't really tell who was lying or what not, McNamee seemed like the most honest one, but the lawyer for the Mitchell Report certainly answered a question like a lawyer. There was something in there about a meeting between Canseco & Clemons at a luncheon, which the lawyer admitted steroids weren't talked about or exchanged, and several people (forgot who) denied took place. He was asked if that was and lie and why he would even put that in the report if steroids weren't exchanged. He said there are reports are out there that said it did happen and reports out there that didn't happen. That was a line I remember but he really did answer that question in a way, where there was nothing really that you could use from the answer to use against him like a perjury trial.

Anyways like I said, I didn't watch all of it. Didn't have time to.

[joeybee12]

2. I didn't believe Petitte...

not that i beleived anyone there, though, even the congresspeesons.

[Bill219]

3. Been Watching the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund coverage all day

Clemens just shocked the hell out of everyone by calling in to Big O on The Big Show to support The Jimmy Fund.

Still says that he is not guilty and is looking forward to his day in court

Switched on 98.5 really quick and Felger was pointing out that if Clemens is able to beat the perjury charge then there is nothing else on him.

Felger also seems to think that this trial is going to be very interesting and maybe not the slam dunk everyone thinks it is going to be

[Auggie]

4. Why would Pettitte lie to implicate Clemons?

What's the motivation? I believe Pettitte. Republican Politicians? No fucking way.

[joeybee12]

5. I didn't believe him when he said he only did it once...

...it's kind of like, yeah, I'm guilty, but I'm really not THAT guilty.

[JonLP24]

6. The only real question

is did Pettitte lie. You could never really know why someone would lie (if they did) if it isn't obvious.

Of course the question is being asked of Clemons which should be the question. Of course he'll be afforded the opportunity to show that he didn't and he can show how Pettitte lied(if he did).

[Redbear]

7. I watched most of the hearings at the time. The GOP members swooned

over Clemens. Now they are trying to cover themselves because they know Roger's in big trouble.

To me the most damning part is not that Pettitte says Clemens admitted using HGH, people can be mistaken about what someone else said.

What's devastating is that McNamee says he injected three people (Clemens, Pettitte, and Knoblauch). Pettitte and Knoblauch say that is true. So, to avoid conviction Clemens will have to convince a jury that McNamee was telling the truth about the other two guys but lying about Clemens. That is a tough case to make.

[JonLP24]

8. The big time swooner

was the Republican House Member from West Virginia. Forgot his name but I know his face.