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I can understand a person not wanting to watch Barry Bonds. He's a scummy cheater. I would watch him regardless, but I understand why someone else wouldn't, even if it's very silly.

Manny and Clemens...no. They haven't done anything to distinguish themselves as such. If you don't want to watch Manny because of his antics, I think you're taking this game just a tad too serious. I've never been one to care about what goes on with a player outside of what they do on the field, and I can't understand why everyone else would feel the same way.

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He's informed, connected, provocative and never short on opinion. He's Gateway Snayke

I don't get this logic. Baseball is entertainment. If you had the chance to see Jim Carrey perform a soliloquy from Hamlet would you go? I sure as heck wouldn't, but that doesn't mean I don't like Shakespeare - I love Shakespeare, I just hate Jim Carrery. He ruins the entertainment experience for me, same thing goes for certain baseball players ruining the enjoyment of watching a game.

I love baseball enough no one player can keep me from watching. I guess it just depends on how much you like the sport.

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There's a difference.

If Jim Carrey is performing Shakespeare, yes, I can see why a person wouldn't like that, mainly because they expect a different actor.

But people wouldn't want to watch Manny, Clemens, etc. because of the circumstances OFF the field. That, in my opinion, is ridiculous. What a person does is his/her business, and if they are at the top of their profession and very skilled at what they do, then why would you be concerned with anything other than that?

When we watch baseball, are we not watching a game? If no sports writers existed, would you know anything about what Manny and Clemens are like outside of the diamond? Probably not.

I'll ask this question to people who would refuse to watch the Cardinals if Manny or Clemens played for this team: how does Manny Ramirez's off-field antics PERSONALLY affect your life? Does Manny skipping part of Spring Training to attend a car show interfere with your daily life? Does Roger Clemens acting like a jerk cause you to lose sleep, or possibly even appetite?

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He's informed, connected, provocative and never short on opinion. He's Gateway Snayke

I don't disagree with you; there are not many individuals who are bigger than the game, there are not many individuals who could affect my enjoyment of baseball that profoundly.

But all the things you spelled out above do work both ways. It's just a game, so why let it get to you enough to be THAT turned off, right? BUT -- It's just a game, so if anything about it bugs you that much, why NOT just move on to do something else with your leisure time?

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Peeps be buzzing.

Clemens is the pitching version of Bonds. It's just no one calls him on it.

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I saw Nick Stavinoha's last major league homer and Mark Mulder's final major league pitch.

With Bonds, it's not about the steroids for me. It's his whole attitude towards the game, the fans, and his teammates. The streroids just amplify that.

--P--

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Clemens is a self-centered jerk who cheats, just on a smaller scale.

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I saw Nick Stavinoha's last major league homer and Mark Mulder's final major league pitch.

From the Houston Chronicle today:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4589830.html

Agent stresses Clemens uninterested in Cardinals' offer

By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Roger Clemens reacts to latest speculation

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – On the same day reports out of St. Louis surfaced that the defending World Series champion Cardinals had interest in Roger Clemens, the future Hall of Famer’s agent made it clear the righthander isn’t interested.

Houston-based agent Randy Hendricks reiterated what Clemens said last week: If the seven-time Cy Young Award winner plays a 23rd season in the majors this year it will be with the Astros, Boston Red Sox or Yankees.

“Let me repeat: Houston, Boston, New York,” Hendricks said. “One of only three teams will be picked if he plays, and he hasn’t decided. I don’t know why they think they have to start the story over again.”

It won’t be with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Texas Rangers, Cardinals, New York Mets or any other team that might be interested.

“He’s going to play for Houston if he plays in the National League,” said Hendricks, who visited Clemens at Osceola County Stadium along with his brother Alan and two of their associates with Houston-based Hendricks Sports Management. The Hendricks brothers also visited with Astros righthander Chris Sampson, another of their clients.

Clemens was not aware of the St. Louis reports as he walked into the minor-league clubhouse to work with the Astros’ minor leaguers early this afternoon.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said. “I’m just not going to comment on any of it. I didn’t see the story.”

Asked if he still held the same stance he mentioned last week regarding his consideration of only the Astros, Red Sox and Yankees if he plays, Clemens, 44, didn’t hesitate.

“Yeah, sure (do),” he said. “That’s what I’m assuming right now if that happens. But that’s the least of my worries right now.”

Randy Hendricks has received numerous calls and e-mail from media – including Mets’ beat writers - inquiring whether Clemens will consider the team they cover.

“I haven’t talked to anybody with the Mets (front office about Clemens),” he said. “I think about it; it’s obvious they’re a contending team and they’re in New York.”

Just so he could make his position clear, Hendricks was asked if the Devil Rays already had been eliminated from the Clemens sweepstakes.

“They’re out of contention for signing him for their team, as the Washington Nationals are and Seattle Mariners,” he said. “The Harris County Senior Softball League though has a place saved for him. AARP is sending him an early admission card.”

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Yes, our rotation is struggling, and it would be awesome to add a guy like Clemens to our staff, but I just don't like the idea. I don't really see it as a reality, as I don't think we are going to fork out 20 million for anyone, but if it was, Clemens just isn't the type of ball player that the Cardinals look for. The perks he received in Houston were ridiculous and it couldn't have gone over well in the locker room. He didn't have to travel with the team, practice with the team, and he only had to show up every 5 days. No matter how good the player is, that is never going to go over well with the team. Especially after he threw his offense under the bus after nearly every start. Plus, he his skill has to decline at some point. He's what? 44 now?

LP