pitcher: clemens used drugs

Former major league pitcher Jason Grimsley has told federal investigators the names of several former teammates that used performance-enhancing drugs. The names have been blacked out, but apparently include Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts, Jay Gibbons, and David Segui (who has confirmed use of human growth hormone under a doctor's care) of the Baltimore Orioles, and Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens of the Houston Astros.

I have long believed that Clemens used steroids. We slam (correctly) Barry Bonds for doing so over the past six seasons or so, noting the ungodly increase in his body mass and the unprecedented surge in his power numbers after age 35, at a time when most sluggers are slowing down. Aaron and Ruth didn't hit 250 homeruns after turning 35. But look at Clemens. He was also a long, lean player when he was a young major leaguer who bulked up to be almost unrecognizable compared to his twenty-year-old self (and Clemens beefed up much earlier than Bonds). He has also pitched uncommonly well at an age when most pitchers were washed up, not just staying on a major league roster, but dominating the league. Like Bonds. Except Clemens is white, and didn't break the single-season home run record nor pass Ruth and challenge Aaron. And Clemens is not as big a jerk as Bonds.

Clearly, like Bonds, a big part of that was hard work and natural talent. But I think it is just as clear that the Rocket was hitting the pharmaceuticals hard.