Alex Kreitman - Stealing signs

CBS aired an interview with Roger Clemens on its “60 minutes” program Sunday night in which Clemens tried to defend allegations that he used steroids and HGH.

Click here to see the “60 minutes interview”

Clemens’ former trainer Brian McNamee testified in the Mitchell Report released last month that he injected Clemens with steroids several times.

Since the accusations, Clemens has remained silent except for a short release claiming his innocence.

I discussed this issue with friends of mine over the weekend down in Charleston, SC and they both think he’s guilty. I lean that way too, seeing no reason for McNamee to make anything up. And also because I always wondered how at 45, Clemens is able to still be one of the best pitchers in baseball. It would make sense if he had help from illegal substances.

Clemens and his legal counsel requested an interview with CBS correspondent Mike Wallace. Wallace, 89, has taken a limited reporting role in recent years with the network. But Wallace interviewed Clemens in 2001, so Clemens felt comfortable trying to clear his name through Wallace.

The problem I have with Wallace doing the interview is that he is a New York Yankees fan, the team Clemens played for during the period the allegations took place.

Wallace has sat in Yankees owner George Steinbrenner’s box to watch Yankees games and has publicly said he is a fan of Clemens. So what business does Wallace have conducting a professional interview of any kind with Clemens, especially one so important to the steroids situation?

During the interview, Wallace asked Clemens if he would consider taking a lie detector test. Clemens didn’t give a yes or no answer. Clemens said he wasn’t sure if that would prove anything either way. But my question is: what harm does the test do if you’re telling the truth?

Why not do absolutely everything in your power to clear your name, starting with a lie detector test. Prove to the public that you are innocent then demand McNamee take one. And if he refuses, it helps Clemens look innocent. Clemens’ answer sounded like he was worried about failing the test.

Clemens also said that if he had known about the accusations before the report was released he would have talked to George Mitchell during the investigation. Even though Clemens was given the opportunity to be a leader ans speak on the issue, he passed on the opportunity just like everyone else in the sport. Only when he was implicated did he change his mind about cooperating. That seems like a cowardice move to me.

On Monday, Clemens filed a defamation lawsuit against McNamee for his comments and later in the day will hold a press conference to continue his efforts to prove his innocence.

I understand he is now making a lot of effort to help his cause but I just think it’s too late and that he acted too slowly. McNamee has no reason to lie and his other accusations have already been verified by Andy Pettitte who admitted to using steroids.

I could go on for hours about this because it hits home for me as a baseball fan, but I’ll move on because a lot happened this weekend in sports.

I knew it would be a great game and it was. The Tar Heels edged Clemson in overtime thanks to a 3-pointer by Wayne Ellington with 0.4 seconds left in OT. Ellington finished with 36 points and has really impressed me with his ability to step up. I didn’t think he would become a go-to guy on a team with Ty Lawson and Tyler Hansbrough, but he’s become a great player.

Click here to see a photo slideshow from the game

What a great way to kick off the ACC season. An overtime thriller between two of the top teams this year. It was really the first thing so far that has got me excited about college basketball.

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