Roger Clemens Does His Second Battle With Congress, But Why?

Roger Clemens is in a really tough situation, aside from the way he is portrayed publically and regardless of his influence on young baseball players that look up to him. The charges that Clemens faces, that he lied to Congress in 2008 when he denied using steroids in his Major League Baseball career, could make him a felon.

Clemens faces charges ranging from six counts of perjury, making false statements and obstruction of justice while jury selection for his second trial began Monday.

It's not up to Clemens to decide whether or not the way he's been scrutinized by the government and the media is fair or foul. Clemens, may indeed be a liar, cheater and deceiver. Then again, how do we know and why do we care so much?

There were seven Cy Young awards, 11 All Star appearances, two World Series championships and a spot on the MLB All-Century Team. In a nutshell, those are the most critical results of Clemens' career, but who do they really mean the most to?

What gets lost in all of the talk about cheating the game and setting the wrong example for young baseball players is the fact that none of us have this divine entitlement to the game to where we have to feel cheated on our experiences watching juiced baseball players as opposed to honest ones. It's cool if you love baseball and all, but that's not really a big deal.

The investment players have in the game is totally different than that of fans, media, or Congress.

Roger Clemens has his reputation and the legacy of his livelihood on the line when a report mentions his alleged steroid use and former trainers and former teammates testify to it as well.

Who did Clemens cheat, really? Himself. That's guilty or not guilty here.

If Clemens is found to be a liar in this case, which it seems very difficult to determine without some level of uncertainty, not only will he be a felon, but it will be because he cheated himself in moments integrity could easily have been the fourth or fifth thing on his mind when trying to be one of the best pitchers the world has ever seen.

If he's found innocent or if the prosecution team makes an amateur move like presenting information that was banned from the trial, it's still close to five years too late.

There is no way for Clemens to win here. The verdicts of public opinion have been in since 2008 but for all we know, Clemens could be riding a guilt trip that dates back to whatever conversation Andy Pettitte "misremembers."

Here is a look at Roger Clemens' opening statement to Congress in 2008.

Read more on the Clemens case at the SB Nation MLB hub page.