I wanted to post my thoughts on the Brian McNamee and Roger Clemens hearing yesterday, but I thought it would be a wise move to wait 24 hours to digest my thoughts first. So here they are.

Roger Clemens took steroids/HGH. After everything that has gone on since the Mitchell Report came out, it is painfully obvious that he has. Yes, some of what McNamee says seems sketchy and he is a slime ball. However, you can't ignore the fact that he said he also injected Andy Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch with steroids/HGH and they've both said that they have taken steroids and McNamee was telling the truth. Also, Pettitte told Congress that he had two conversations with Mr.Clemens about HGH and that Roger told him he had taken it.

My personal highlight from yesterday's hearing was when Roger didn't know what a Vegan was. Which brings me to Clemens biggest flaw in his lie, B12 injections. Sure, he takes, or took, B12, thats fine, no problem there. But, they have this wonderful vitamin in pill form, which he said he took. So, why would he all of a sudden decide to take a couple shots of this from a needle instead? Because his mama told him to? I don't think so.

Then, when he was getting hit over the head, he started saying statements such as, "as far as I know", when talking about what he knew was in the needles of his injections. What does he mean by that? All of the professional athletes I've met and talked to have said they don't have anyone put anything into their body unless they know %100 what it is.

It's been a valiant effort for William Roger Clemens, but it's time he sets his massive ego aside, faces the music, and tells the world what it already knows.

Don't worry though Roger. Whatever money troubles you run into, I'm sure the Yankees are willing to give you another $22,222,222 contract.


Take off,
Coco

Valentine’s Day, the holiday that all women profess they do not care about, as long as you do something nice/thoughtful. It is supposed to be about love, but for many couples it’s about fear. Women fear their husband/boyfriend will either forget or get them something that has nothing to do with them or their relationship. Men fear having to find the right gift/gesture.

Well, in the world of sports, I fear there is too much love going on. Say what you want, but what makes sports so riveting is the pure unadulterated hate. Nothing makes a storyline better than animosity. So, for my extra special Valentine’s Day blog, here are five of my favourite hate-inspired sporting events:

(1) 2002 Women’s Hockey Gold Medal Game: Canada vs. America

I’ll be the first to admit I am not a huge hockey fan, and I am even less a fan of women’s sports in general. It has nothing to do with the fact that the participants have a greater amount of estrogen than their male counterparts. I just find women’s sports slower and less athletic. Should I feel guilty about that? I don’t think so.

Anyway… if you remember, rumours were swirling that the American team had stomped on a Canadian flag in their locker room. Nothing gets the hate going like a good dose of nationalistic fervor. I couldn’t wait to watch this game. Not because I enjoy the passive beauty that is women’s hockey, but because these teams genuinely did not like one another. Also, to be fair, those Canadian teams were stacked with talented players, many of whom do belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

(2) Any Playoff series with the San Antonio Spurs

From Tim Duncan bitching on every call to the amazing Flopping Brothers (Tony Parker and his loveable sidekick Manu Ginobili), there is little to like about this team. Whoever their opponent is instantly becomes my favourite team.

(3) Terrell Owens vs. the Ravens, Eagles, the Media, Bill Parcells... et cetera

No player in sports has been such a lightning rod for controversy than Owens. Forget Sprewell choking his coach, Iverson’s homophobic rap album or Todd Bertuzzi’s on-ice thuggery; no athlete delivers the goods like Owens. He single-handedly has kept the sports media industry alive.

Terrell took an already great rivalry like Cowboys/Eagles and transported it to a whole other level. Or what about Owens taunting Ray Lewis? Who else would do this???? Just a refresher: the man was involved in a double murder many years back, and is the most intimidating player in the NFL. I can’t think of another player who openly makes fun of Ray Lewis.

(4) The Yankees vs. anyone in the playoffs

Like the Spurs, the Yankees are a great villain. And when it comes to the Yankees, attention must be paid. You either love them or you hate them. I, personally, hate the idea of them winning another World Series, but even more than that, I hate the thought of them not making the playoffs. I don’t remember Minnesota vs. Oakland a couple years back, but I sure remember Joba Chamberlain getting attacked by flies as Cleveland defeated New York, or two years ago when Kenny Rogers was masterful against that crazy lineup. They always make great theatre. No one corners the market of a great “good vs. evil” sports storyline like the Yankees vs. Insert Other Team Here.

(5) Vince Carter

He quit on his team, he quit on his coach, and he quit on his own talents. Vince Carter represents all that is wrong with pro sports, and he is an easy athlete to hate. You might not care about the Nets, but I bet you love seeing Nets highlights when Vince goes down with an “injury” and his fellow teammates grudgingly draw straws to see whose turn it is to pick his ass up. That scene always reminds me of the lack of enthusiasm from the San Francisco Giants to congratulate Barry Bonds at Home Plate every time he passed another home run milestone.

One of my favourite moments from the Raptors home playoff games last year was when the crowd started up their own chant without help from the Jumbotron: “Let’s go Raptors … Vince Carter Sucks!” You see, that sort of spontaneous reaction can only come from hate.

Man, I love moments like that.

Happy Valentine’s Day!