Like many folks, I was shocked when I heard that Roger Clemens’ name was in the Mitchell Report.

I’ve also been shocked by the reaction of many sportswriters since then. It seems that all we really need in this country is somebody saying someone did something wrong, and as quickly as Tony Soprano can say, “bada bing,” that person is guilty – just send them to jail, write negative things about them in the media, and pull no punches because they are guilty. Someone said it, so it must be true. Let’s pile on!

How can anyone who is innocent ever get their good name back after all that?

Maybe my “older” age has somewhat made me apprehensive to judge someone on what someone else said, and take it to the bank as many sportswriters have with Clemens. I have personally known folks who have been accused in the media of being guilty, and it’s no fun to watch them, their family and friends suffer.

Clemens went on 60 Minutes to try and clear this up. Yesterday Clemens held a press conference. He was pissed. I don’t blame him. I would have liked to see him throw a fastball at some of those sportswriters – high and inside.

Luckily for Clemens, he has the resources and the name to mount a fight to clear his name. If it was me or some other Joe, we’d just have to sit back and take it. We could not call Mike Wallace and get a story on 60 Minutes.

I think the bottom line on all this is Major League Baseball (MLB) screwed up many years ago. When we had the home run fiesta, MLB was there promoting it. Someone in the leadership of MLB must have wondered, “Are these guys juiced up on something?” They failed to have drug tests for steroids until only a few years ago. From what I understand, they still do not have an effective test for Human Growth Hormone (HGH).

MLB must develop performance enhancing drug tests. They must keep on top of the folks who are trying to cheat. The players and their union must agree to these tests. They have the money to combat cheaters. They just need to do it.

Those folks who have fallen into the zone called the steroid era must be convicted on more than one person’s word, or some leaked grand jury testimony like in the case of Barry Bonds.

I agree with Clemens when he said something like after 25 years in baseball, he thought he would get more respect when the Mitchell Report was released. Clemens still has my respect, unless someone has more substantial proof that he really cheated. Until then, he’s still the Rocket to me.