Schilling: Clemens Should Prove Innocence Or Give Up Awards
Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling has called on Roger Clemens to give up four of his Cy Young Awards if he cannot clear his name after allegations in the Mitchell report that he used steroids. While Clemens has denied allegations detailed by former Sen. George Mitchell’s report into doping in Major League Baseball, Schilling wrote in his blog (38pitches.com) that he believes Clemens must take legal action to prove his innocence.
I don’t know whether or not Roger Clemens is guilty of using steroids. That’s an argument for another time and place, and for the moment it’s not my concern. What is my concern at the moment is Curt Schilling and his “holier-than-thou” pronouncement that Clemens is now responsible for clearing his name, and if he doesn’t, then he needs to give his Cy Young Awards back.
Uh, what??
I realize that we’re not talking about legal culpability here, but historically an accused has generally been provided with the presumption of innoncence. A mere accusation, especially from a source as questionable as the Mitchell Report, does not, and should not, ipso facto translate into the assumuption that Clemens is guilty until he manages to prove himself innocent. Regardless of Schilling’s brainless, self-righteous posturing, Clemens is under no obligation to do anything. He has not been convicted of a crime, nor has had an opportunity to present his side of the story.
Of course, Clemens could possibly calm a few fears by speaking out, but how does one defend oneself against what essentially amounts to a whispering campaign? Clemens was discussed in the Mitchell Report…ergo he’s a known and convicted liar, cheater, and drug user.
IF Clemens did use illegal performance-enhancing drugs, then feel free to roast him to your heart’s content. I have no respect for cheaters, liars, and druggies- and I doubt I’m alone in that sentiment. Nonetheless, this is America, and here in America reasonable people still hold someone innocent until they’re proven guilty. DUMB@$$E$ like Curt Schilling, though, feel free to broadcast their prejudices and “holier than thou” pronouncements to the four winds.
Here’s a question I’d like to ask Schilling: if it turns out that one or more members of the 2004 or 2007 Red Sox world champions were using steroids or HGH, would he give up his championship rings? Somehow I think not. The again, it’s easier to demand that someone else clean their house than to sweep out your own.
