The Rocket fizzles

Friday, Feb. 15, 2008 | 2:06 a.m.

One of the greatest pitchers to play Major League Baseball went to Congress on Wednesday to try to redeem his reputation but left with his credibility in shambles.

Roger Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner who allegedly took performance-enhancing drugs, said he wanted the truth to come out but it certainly didn’t come out from him. Clemens attacked his accuser and former trainer, Brian McNamee, blamed others for his woes and admitted that he tried to coach his former nanny on her testimony before she was interviewed by congressional investigators.

Clemens’ performance sadly tarnished his once sterling reputation, and he brought it on himself, having failed to cooperate with Major League Baseball’s investigation of performance-enhancing drugs.

So he grandstanded, taking his case to Congress. He spent a day lobbying lawmakers, signing autographs and posing for pictures before testifying in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

But all the spin doesn’t hide the facts. Despite McNamee’s credibility problems, McNamee’s story has been corroborated by other accounts. Clemens’ story doesn’t add up.

Here is one example: Clemens’ friend and teammate Andy Pettitte said Clemens told him he had used HGH.

Clemens, however, said Pettitte “misremembered.” He said he was talking about his wife, who once had been injected with HGH. That injection, however, took place several years after his conversation with Pettitte.

Furthermore, Pettitte, who admitted using HGH, told congressional investigators he went to McNamee after his discussion with Clemens and McNamee reacted with anger, saying Clemens never should have told him that.

Clemens tried to play the role of the simple, trusting sports star who never knew a thing about drugs and was taken advantage of by others. But that act doesn’t hold up.

Sadly, Clemens’ testimony, which was less than forthright, shattered his credibility and left a cloud over his once stellar career.