The Real Juice at Minute Maid Park?

The Los Angeles Times got its hands on Jason Grimsley’s indictment (remember that?) that didn’t have the names blacked out. The Times said that the guys tabbed by Grimsley include Astros pitchers Andy Pettitte and media fave Roger Clemens.

Uh-oh! After the last few years of the media’s fawning coverage of the Rocket (especially the interminable Clemens Watch this year), I wondered how this story would fly.

We need wonder no further. Peter Gammons addressed the crisis on Baseball Tonight. Pretty much ignoring the other guys listed on the affidavit (Pettitte, Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts, and Jay Gibbons), he spent his air time defending Clemens.

As expected, Gammons was having no part of this. First, he said, the affidavit didn’t say anything about what substance Clemens may or may not have taken. Perhaps, just maybe, it might be in the realm of possibility that Clemens has indulged in steroid use. But since the affidavit doesn’t specify, there’s also the possibility that Clemens could just have been popping uppers.

Yes, Gammons actually did imply that amphetamine use might not be all that bad. I’m sure that will come as a surprise to the fans, media, and members of Congress who wailed and gnashed their teeth about MLB players taking greenies before the game.

Gammons’ second point is that Grimsley is a scumbag, and therefore is not to be trusted. I admit that he has a point. Grimsley has admitted to using steroids , and reportedly told investigators that he had used HGH (although he hasn’t been charged with anything yet).

However…I remember certain media members immediately speculating what Grimsley might have to say about Barry Bonds. Nobody seemed too worried about the strength of Grimsley’s character then. Why is it an issue now?

I haven’t the foggiest idea if Clemens or anyone else named in the story was a doper. But I find it darkly amusing (and very telling) that the media will rush to condemn certain players, while rushing to protect others…