Roger Clemens = Cheater???

[fieldhousekrayzie21]

In the wake of his 350th win, it makes me really wonder how he is doing so well when he is so old (in terms on baseball years). Do you think he was/is on the juice?

[futurecoach]

No! It could be possible that one day before he was on it, because I believe alot of players were. But with the way they have gone after steroids the last couple of years, I see no way that he would have been taken steroids. Because there would be no reason to take the risk of coming back each year and then get caught and ruin his whole reputation...

[SvFan4life]

If he was on it you would probably see effects from it now, like multile injuries or something in that nature. Keeping yourself in great shape can prolong a career also. Just a lucky man IMO.

[fieldhousekrayzie21]

No! It could be possible that one day before he was on it, because I believe alot of players were. But with the way they have gone after steroids the last couple of years, I see no way that he would have been taken steroids. Because there would be no reason to take the risk of coming back each year and then get caught and ruin his whole reputation...

HGH is very expensive and he can afford it. It is also undetectable by baseball. He is risking nothing if he can't get caught! Once they get a test for HGH I bet he retires for good. He has to be on something, or at least has been on something....

[fieldhousekrayzie21]

If he was on it you would probably see effects from it now, like multile injuries or something in that nature. Keeping yourself in great shape can prolong a career also. Just a lucky man IMO.

 

Barry Bonds? Sammy Sosa? I realize he is a little older but they don't have MAJOR injuries.

[STRIKE3]

So just because of his age and success, he's using enhancements.....I attribute his recent success, over 40 to several factors.

 

1) His conditioning routine and workout program

2) Not traveling with his team, on many away games, unless pitching

3) Minimal work in early portion of season

4) Competitive nature and mental approach

[fieldhousekrayzie21]

So just because of his age and success, he's using enhancements.....I attribute his recent success, over 40 to several factors.

 

1) His conditioning routine and workout program

2) Not traveling with his team, on many away games, unless pitching

3) Minimal work in early portion of season

4) Competitive nature and mental approach

 

How come no one else has been able to do it then? I have no idea whether he is on steriods or not but it makes me wonder.

[malachicrunch]

How old was the Ryan Express when he retired? I'm thinking he was up there in age. Also a power pitcher.

[STRIKE3]

How come no one else has been able to do it then? I have no idea whether he is on steriods or not but it makes me wonder.

Doesn't make me wonder. Randy Johnson, Smoltz, Glavine, Maddux and others, all have reached milestones in their careers and longevity.

 

Maddux may have on average, thrown less pitches per game, than any pitcher in the last 50 years. Glavine, has repeatable mechanics and minimizes his delivery effort. Smoltz, is a competitor like Clemens and maintains his conditioning, as well. Johnson, just over-powering at times in his career.

 

How old was the Ryan Express when he retired? I'm thinking he was up there in age. Also a power pitcher.

Also, a relentless conditioning program.

[bugatti]

I am not going to say he has or has not, but you cannot fault anyone for questioning, imo.

 

The natural progression of athletes is to gradually decline once they get older. Roger was declining, then came back and arguably pitched his best of his career the past few seasons. It is not normal to regain what you once had when battling age. I know everyone says he has a tough workout routine that keeps him in shape, but so do tons of other athletes; I have never determined what made his so much more effective.

 

If anything, I attribute his success to being a much smarter pitcher. I do not buy the tough conditioning and competitive mindset approach... I have no doubt many athletes have these attributes when they get older (eg. Michael Jordan, etc.).

[HOMELESS CAMEL]

I just voted "possible", wouldn't surprise me if has used, is using or tried certain things over the course of his career. Much like Jerry Rice was famous for his off season training, I know the Rocket is the same way.

 

You still have to have one heck of a career regardless to do as well as he has.

[STRIKE3]

I am not going to say he has or has not, but you cannot fault anyone for questioning, imo.

 

The natural progression of athletes is to gradually decline once they get older. Roger was declining, then came back and arguably pitched his best of his career the past few seasons. It is not normal to regain what you once had when battling age. I know everyone says he has a tough workout routine that keeps him in shape, but so do tons of other athletes; I have never determined what made his so much more effective.

 

If anything, I attribute his success to being a much smarter pitcher. I do not buy the tough conditioning and competitive mindset approach... I have no doubt many athletes have these attributes when they get older (eg. Michael Jordan, etc.).

Pitchers can have specific conditioning routines, to maintain muscle strength, core and rotator cuff flexibility. This is a key, for pitchers since the primary drive and acceleration, is used for each pitch.

 

Hitters have their reflexes, speed and ability to see the ball clearly, decrease over time and when those go, usually the ability to be a productive hitter in MLB, falters.

 

Unless you've been a pitcher, most would not understand the competitive and mindset approach.

 

"The will to succeed, is greater than the skill to succeed".....

[HHSDad]

It doesn't make sense that pitchers would use anabolic steroids, just on the fact that they are especially hard on joints.

[5wide]

Barry Bonds? Sammy Sosa? I realize he is a little older but they don't have MAJOR injuries.

 

In the case of Bonds and Sosa, their performances took a noteable turn. Bonds, of course, was great before steroids, but he wasn't blasting HR's every 10 at bats. Sosa went from a decent outfielder to one of the greatest power hitters ever, with an unbelievable 3 year span in which he hit something like 190 HR's.

 

Clemens, on the other hand, has been pretty consistent over the course of his career. There is nothing you can point to and say, "There, he clearly started taking something at that point." He's always been a great power pitcher...it's not like he went from Greg Maddux to Randy Johnson in a year's time. So, I have to respectfully disagree with your assessment.

[SvFan4life]

Barry Bonds? Sammy Sosa? I realize he is a little older but they don't have MAJOR injuries.

 

Sosa couldn't hit the ball once he was traded to the Cubs. He had to take a year off just to get back into regular shape.