The Roger Clemens Show moved from Federal Court to the court of public opinion
on Tuesday.
Acquitted of lying to Congress in 2008, the great righthander now faces
what may be a tougher test -- convincing voters he belongs in the Hall of
Fame.
Clemens, Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa all will be first-timers on the
ballot this fall and their presence will be the biggest referendum yet on the
steroid era.
Mike Piazza, Curt Schilling and Craig Biggio -- none of whom have ever
been linked to steroids -- also will make their first appearances.
Who goes in, or is left out, and by what margin will be a fascinating
tale.
WHAT A HISTORY:
The Houston Astros signed their second draft pick on Tuesday, inking
Tampa Jesuit righthander Lance McCullers, a product of Florida's fertile
Hillsborough County.
Among the players who got their start in the county are Fred McGriff,
Gary Sheffield, Tino Martinez, Luis Gonzalez, Dwight Gooden, Howard Johnson,
Brad Radke, Wade Boggs and Derek Bell.
Three others from Tampa -- Tony LaRussa, Lou Piniella and Hall of Famer
Al Lopez -- made their mark as managers.
Not to mention George Steinbrenner, who may have been the biggest
luminary of them all.
BLAST FROM THE PAST:
With the Pittsburgh Pirates in the unaccostomed position of fielding a
winning ballclub, management is bringing back two guys who were winners in the
black and gold unis.
Hall of Fame second baseman Bill Mazeroski, 71, and centerfielder Bill
Virdon, 81, will join the Pirates on the bench during their three-game series
with Minnesota this week at the invitation of manager Clint Hurdle.
AROUND THE BIGS:
Angels righthander Jerome Williams is still resting at a hospital after
undergoing several tests and staying overnight. Williams complained of
shortness of breath after he left his start against San Francisco.
Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said righthander Brandon Beachy has a
partial tear in his elbow. He did not elaborate on the severity of the injury.
This article contains information from the Associated Press.
