Clemens, McNamee News… Again

Man, I’ve been writing about these three so much lately that it seems like it is a daily segment. Anyway, the second part of the Mitchell Report congressional hearings (which is the day some of the players/trainers are speaking) has been pushed back from January 16th to February 13th. This means Clemens and McNamee will “square off” a little over a month from today, instead of next week. Congress wants to be more prepared for the player hearings, which is why it was delayed. This will also give the lawyers more preparation time, although Rusty Hardin, Clemens’ attorney, says it doesn’t matter to him because Clemens is innocent.

You guys are in for a treat today because that isn’t the only news involving these two. You get a double dose of McNamee today! Detectives believe that the ex-trainer lied during a 2001 rape case, which doesn’t bode well for his credibility. Police said that Mr. McNamee denied having sex with a possibly drugged woman, but security guards claimed they saw him. I’ve asked it before and I’m going to ask it again… is this a soap opera?

Goose is a Yank for Life

Rich Gossage announced today that he will enter the Hall of Fame as a Yankee. What ever his decision was I would be happy for him, but this makes it even better! He will forever be remembered a Yankee and that makes me feel proud as a Yankee fan. The Padres or the Yankees were the two teams most people speculated he would pick from the nine he played for. He ended up picking the Yankees, being “tickled” to join the elite group within the HOF. A lot of Gossage’s family were also Yankee fans so his time with the Bombers was especially special to him. Goose is certainly very happy about his inclusion, as any player would be. He gave a very emotional thanks to the fans, media, and Major League Baseball for the experience. He was also very touched when he was called up the podium (where he was also reacquainted with former teammate and Yankee Reggie Jackson) when his inclusion was announced. He will be inducted on July 27th of this year, which will surely be another happy day. Congrats Goose, you deserve it!

And He’s In!

Rich Gossage got accepted into the hall today with a 86% vote. Earlier this week he said that it would make his career if he got in and now his dream is a reality. As I explained in my previous post, the number of votes for him by the Baseball Writer’s Association (the group that decides who to induct) had been growing in recent years. Today he finally made it over the fence and I am sure he is very happy as well as relieved that he won’t have to go through the anxiety of finding out if he got in or not next year. The induction ceremony is on July 27, in Cooperstown, New York.

Gossage was the only player inducted in the Class of 2008. Retired Padres manager, Dick Williams, is also going to be inducted on the same day as “Goose”.The rest of the players and managers are certainly disappointed, but most of them are eligible to return. Many are keeping an eye on Mark McGwire, who only got 23.6% of the 75% (only up .1 from last year) required to get in because he is the first player accused of using steroids to try to get in.

Gossage 2008 Hall of Fame Hopeful

Retired Yankee reliever, Rich Gossage, will be on the Hall of Fame ballot for the ninth time this year. Last year he fell short of the required 75% by a measly 21 votes. He is speculated by many to finally make it this year because the number of votes for him has increased a lot over the course of the past nine years. Also, with no definite first timers this time (like Cal Ripken last year), the now 56 year old definetely has a good shot at it.

Gossage was a power pitcher who packed many strikeouts in his day. He played for several teams, including the Yankees, but he was at his best during his tenure with the Padres. He ended his career with over 1500 strikeouts, 3.01 ERA, 310 saves (17th on the all time list), and a record of 124-107. During his era Gossage was one of the premier relievers. He will find out if 9th time is a charm tomorrow, January 8th, 2008. There are several other Yankees on the ballot this year including Don Mattingly, David Justice, and Chuck Knoblauch.

Clemens vs. McNamee

So it begins, Clemens has filed a lawsuit against ex-Yankee trainer Brian McNamee for defamation. Most of you probably already know the whole story between the two. If you don’t just look at some of my recent posts and you’ll understand. This is really getting old, but it was bound to happen. This is all part of the Rocket’s plan to prove himself innocent. If he is innocent this is all great, but if he turns out guilty then his legacy will become even more tarnished just because he went so far to prove that he didn’t do it. As a Yankee fan I really hope he isn’t lying, but we won’t find out for sure for a while (maybe never).

I didn’t expect this whole fight thing between the two to start until the meeting with Congress, but once word spread it started. The media probably has a big part to do with this too with many of their questions to Clemens and McNamee focusing on the matter. Interestingly the two had a phone conversation last Friday, where McNamee asked Clemens “What do you want me to do?” He even said he would go to jail for Clemens. Clemens’ response was “tell the truth.”

Cashman’s Last Year?

This year is the last in Cashman’s current contract, which brings up the question of whether or not the Yankees will make an extension offer to him. When asked about it, Cashman said he is not worried about that at the moment because there are so many other things going on that he doesn’t have time to worry about it. In my opinion that is a good approach to it because thinking about something like that would do no use. Instead, Cashman is focusing on his job and a potential deal with the Twins for John Santana. Whatever happens with that whole situation and how the Yankees do this season will certainly play a part in whether or not the Steinbrenner’s want Cashman back. I don’t expect them to make a contract extension offer until atleast half way through the season, when we get a better picture of how Cashman’s moves have helped/hurt the Yanks.