DQ interview w/ chronicle guy

[BatGirl]

http://blogs.chron.com/baseballblog/archives/2007/05/clemens_clarifi.html
( i hope i didn't screw that up)

been lurkin for a long time - feel like i know some of you!
just wanted to get the conversation started about jjo's interview w/clemens.  love how you hear him start to pant when roger calls out garner and says he wants to talk to him face to face.

your thoughts?

and, may i say, that it is an honor to walk among you.  be gentle with me, please.

[tophfar]

http://blogs.chron.com/baseballblog/archives/2007/05/clemens_clarifi.html
( i hope i didn't screw that up)

been lurkin for a long time - feel like i know some of you!
just wanted to get the conversation started about jjo's interview w/clemens.  love how you hear him start to pant when roger calls out garner and says he wants to talk to him face to face.

your thoughts?

and, may i say, that it is an honor to walk among you.  be gentle with me, please.

You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round

You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round

[Noe]

http://blogs.chron.com/baseballblog/archives/2007/05/clemens_clarifi.html
( i hope i didn't screw that up)

been lurkin for a long time - feel like i know some of you!
just wanted to get the conversation started about jjo's interview w/clemens.  love how you hear him start to pant when roger calls out garner and says he wants to talk to him face to face.

your thoughts?

and, may i say, that it is an honor to walk among you.  be gentle with me, please.

Welcome aboard!

[Noe]

Both sides made a business decision, which is why it's silly for people to get angry at Clemens for accepting a deal that likely is between $6 million to $10 million more guaranteed than what the Astros were willing to give.

Okay, now we're getting somewhere.  So the issue *IS* money.  Thank you Team Racket for admitting it.  Let's move on now, no more lies about "Family Time" then.  But then, read this from Clemens himself:

But like my sister said in an e-mail, if people think it's about money, I have enough money to last me three lifetimes.

JdJO better clear his copy with the Hendricks from now on, he screwed up on that one.

[Mr. Happy]

http://blogs.chron.com/baseballblog/archives/2007/05/clemens_clarifi.html
( i hope i didn't screw that up)

been lurkin for a long time - feel like i know some of you!
just wanted to get the conversation started about jjo's interview w/clemens.  love how you hear him start to pant when roger calls out garner and says he wants to talk to him face to face.

your thoughts?

and, may i say, that it is an honor to walk among you.  be gentle with me, please.

Scrap Iron shouldn't even dignify that with a response. Excellent first post BTW.

[Mr. Happy]

Okay, now we're getting somewhere.  So the issue *IS* money.  Thank you Team Racket for admitting it.  Let's move on now, no more lies about "Family Time" then.

Let's face it. Yankees, Inc. mints mula. They've used 10 or 11 different starting pitchers thusfar. They were more desperate and offered more money. And Noe nailed it as usual. Team Racket=money.

[Noe]

He can handle players grumbling, but he likely should have checked his facts before making his `Hollywood' comment.

Here is a semantics play by JdJO and Team Bastard.  BTW - since the Andy Pettitte spin, I guess now we know JdJO is on the Hendrick's brothers payroll?  Any way, someone at the Chronicle accusing Garner about checking his facts better be willing to back that up.  The fact is that "Hollywood" is not right, but the truth is Clemens *was* at a golf tournament while his team was in Pittsburgh fighting for their playoff chances in a very important road trip.  They did turn on the television set to see Clemens involved in a golf tournament is and they did grumble about since Racket was scheduled to pitch that series.

And JdJO knows it too.  It wasn't in "Hollywood" however, so this is where they are playing semantic tricks and JdJO should be ashamed for his part in giving them this free pass.  Perhaps this is about Garner maybe not being JdJO's best buddy or something, because that is the way this guy works.  Reading that stuff about his confidants ("players I trust and respect") on the Astros makes me sick to my stomach.  This guy has no objectivity whatsoever when he gets so close to the very people he is supposed to be covering.

[HudsonHawk]

http://blogs.chron.com/baseballblog/archives/2007/05/clemens_clarifi.html
( i hope i didn't screw that up)

been lurkin for a long time - feel like i know some of you!
just wanted to get the conversation started about jjo's interview w/clemens.  love how you hear him start to pant when roger calls out garner and says he wants to talk to him face to face.

your thoughts?

and, may i say, that it is an honor to walk among you.  be gentle with me, please.

Welcome aboard.  Keep your sense of humor intact and don't take yourself, or anyone else too seriously, and you'll have a ball here.

As for Clemens wanting a "face to face" with Garner...Clemens has the reach advantage and Scraps is nearing 60, but I don't think Roger will have too easy a go at it.  He'll feel it.

[Noe]

I think some of our (Astros) who are local guys are figuring out like I expressed many times to you and our other reporters, there's pressure about coming home to pitch because you want to perform well. Just like me and the rest of the guys there took the team to a level further than it has ever been before. So we're very proud of that fact. We're not proud that we didn't get it done because the ring that we got was really a second-place ring. We want the world championship ring. That's what your main goals are. It's what it should be every year. ... I can't answer for the fans. I can't make everyone happy.

See, this is what I don't really get. He went to the fucking Yankees because that is where *HE* wants to be.  That is more than okay with me, it's really fucking great actually, it's what a free agent has a right to do and more power to them.  Why, however, does the Hendricks brothers keep trotting both Pettitte and Clemens out into our faces to make is seem like they *love* Houston and never wanted to leave?  It is as if they have some sort of fettish that they have to kick the hometown team in the gonads as they walk out the door and then get praised for the great hometown guys they are but sadly have to leave because the big mean ol' Astros just aren't doing anything to keep them here. 

Damn, that is sick in so many ways!

Fucking go already, you damn mercenaries!  And never tell me it isn't about money either.  If it were not, and it were about hometown pride, then fucking prove it or fucking go away already.  Stop trying to fix your reputation here in Houston for goodnesssake!

[matadorph]

Garner was just on Mike and Mike clarifying his comments yesterday. He insists there was never a problem in the Astros clubhouse with Clemens.

[pravata]

...
Fucking go already, you damn mercenaries!  And never tell me it isn't about money either.  If it were not, and it were about hometown pride, then fucking prove it or fucking go away already.  Stop trying to fix your reputation here in Houston for goodnesssake!

Seriously, didn't we leave money on the nightstand for a taxi for these two?

[pravata]

Garner was just on Mike and Mike clarifying his comments yesterday. He insists there was never a problem in the Astros clubhouse with Clemens.

http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=102025.msg118386#new

[matadorph]

Yeah I should've been more clear. I meant that JdJO just got exposed on ESPN (of all places) for being a knob-slobbing hack. 

[JimR]

Garner was just on Mike and Mike clarifying his comments yesterday. He insists there was never a problem in the Astros clubhouse with Clemens.

and that is bullshit, Phil. folks are starting to talk. i hate it that he is pulling back because he said what needed to be said.

[Fredia]

and that is bullshit, Phil. folks are starting to talk. i hate it that he is pulling back because he said what needed to be said.

maybe the higher ups had something to do with it, who knows garner  is not the only one retracting commments.. what is clemens the teflon king.. everything slides off him

[JimR]

http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=102025.msg118386#new

Phil is being pc here, not honest.

[UnholyToledo]

Phil is being pc here, not honest.

But why?

[Noe]

and that is bullshit, Phil. folks are starting to talk. i hate it that he is pulling back because he said what needed to be said.

On the ESPN radio afternoon show, one of the host did a swarmy recount of Garner's comments.  So right before each cut up segment of what Phil said, he'd tell you what to listen to.  The after the segment, he'd say this "Is it just me, or do you detect just a hint of sarcasm in Phil's voice?  Really... anyone hearing the tongue held firmly to cheek when he says there was "no problem in the clubhouse"?".  It was actually a funny piece because if you're really listening intently, you can probably hear Scraps being a bit sarcastic in his "Clemens was a good guy" comments.

[Noe]

But why?

Because he cannot afford to have Clemens be a distraction for his team.  It has to die now for him and let others pick up the ball and run with it.  He needs to get out and be done with it.

[WulawHorn]

there it the matter of that personal services contract (that were I drayton I'd seriously consider tearing up). Maybe Drayton is worried about him coming back to the fold and wants to make sure it's a smooth transition back into the Astros organization, and he doesn't feel the way that the rest of us do- or he is comfortable taking a more long term approach?

Who knows?  What we can and should all know is that Jose the Jesus is a no talent, smug, grudge holding dick that has no credibility anywhere. I wish the Chronicle would boot his slimy little ass to the curb.

[BudGirl]

Who knows?  What we can and should all know is that Jose the Jesus is a no talent, smug, grudge holding dick that has no credibility anywhere. I wish the Chronicle would boot his slimy little ass to the curb.

Why in the world would the Chronicle do this?  Look how many people are talking about him.  This seems to be a wet dream for a newspaper.  Doesn't matter if he is factual.  He is helping to sell ads.

[Taras Bulba]

Because he cannot afford to have Clemens be a distraction for his team.  It has to die now for him and let others pick up the ball and run with it.  He needs to get out and be done with it.

Which reminds that the best policy in situations such as the Clemens or Pettitte defections is to say little or nothing at all.  Silence is the most effective answer.  Hear anything from Biggio?  Nope.  Kind of makes you think what that means though, doesn't it?

[pravata]

there it the matter of that personal services contract (that were I drayton I'd seriously consider tearing up). Maybe Drayton is worried about him coming back to the fold and wants to make sure it's a smooth transition back into the Astros organization, and he doesn't feel the way that the rest of us do- or he is comfortable taking a more long term approach?

Who knows?  What we can and should all know is that Jose the Jesus is a no talent, smug, grudge holding dick that has no credibility anywhere. I wish the Chronicle would boot his slimy little ass to the curb.

The biggest issue facing the Astros right now is the White coming off the DL.  I think Jose the JO should go talk to Garner about what the Astros plans are. 

[WulawHorn]

Why in the world would the Chronicle do this?  Look how many people are talking about him.  This seems to be a wet dream for a newspaper.  Doesn't matter if he is factual.  He is helping to sell ads.

Well BG- I have stopped reading the chronicle b/c of this freaking hack. I only hear what he has to say by links here, which I don't read myself, just listen to someone else recap it. They ain't getting any ad revenue from me specifically b/c of this prick.

If there are enough like me (doesn't prav not even link the chron/jdjo?) then maybe there would be a change.  It isn't good to have a writer with no credibility in my opinion.

[Limey]

Why in the world would the Chronicle do this?  Look how many people are talking about him.  This seems to be a wet dream for a newspaper.  Doesn't matter if he is factual.  He is helping to sell ads.

We're talking about how shit he is.  No one is saying that they must rush out and subscribe because JdJO is a must-read.

We also talk about Pabst and Schlitz.

[Noe]

there it the matter of that personal services contract (that were I drayton I'd seriously consider tearing up). Maybe Drayton is worried about him coming back to the fold and wants to make sure it's a smooth transition back into the Astros organization, and he doesn't feel the way that the rest of us do- or he is comfortable taking a more long term approach?

Who knows?  What we can and should all know is that Jose the Jesus is a no talent, smug, grudge holding dick that has no credibility anywhere. I wish the Chronicle would boot his slimy little ass to the curb.

Ther personal contract aspect of this whole thing is really a non-issue to me, as a fan.  It is about business between McLane and whoever he is doing business with.  Clemens would be really good to have in the fold for McLane on so many levels, it would be stupid for him to hold a grudge.

Even the issue of leaving town because they prefer New York doesn't bother me.  They wouldn't be the first to leave here to go there for any business endeavor.   Baseball, adverstising, wall street... doesn't matter, if your chosen profession is helped by being in the Big Apple, then by all means go there and be happy.

Just don't be too concerned about what anyone thinks about you nor take the "the former employer *forced* me to leave" b.s. stance with me.  It sucks, it is highly offensive and really only makes you out to be the whiner that you really are.  Oh and... on your way out, don't feed me the line about "it's not about money".  That is when you know it is entirely about money.  Lastly, if you had a chance to feed your over massive, out of control, growing like godzilla on steriods ego by making the primo club in baseball actually bow down to your whims, then don't pretend you're not loving the attention and honor of being the one guy who is above the game.  You proved it, you win... embrace it and be happy.

But if someone even dares to say "It's not right, no one should be above the game", don't freak out about it... your ego should be able to sustain someone screaming "Hey look, that sumabitch emporer has no under pants!".

[pravata]

Well BG- I have stopped reading the chronicle b/c of this freaking hack. I only hear what he has to say by links here, which I don't read myself, just listen to someone else recap it. They ain't getting any ad revenue from me specifically b/c of this prick.

If there are enough like me (doesn't prav not even link the chron/jdjo?) then maybe there would be a change.  It isn't good to have a writer with no credibility in my opinion.

I try not to.  He had me fooled at the beginning of the season but he has returned to his rumor mongering ways.  So, he's no longer credible.  McTaggert is the only one I'll use, and that is only when he has something different, which is rare.   The problem is that the majority of the fans get their Astros news only from the Chronicle.  I'm following the Astros, the fans affect what the team does, I try to be aware of what and why the fans think what they think.  Unfortunately that requires reading this drek.  And occasionally listening to the radio.

[WulawHorn]

Ther personal contract aspect of this whole thing is really a non-issue to me, as a fan.  It is about business between McLane and whoever he is doing business with.  Clemens would be really good to have in the fold for McLane on so many levels, it would be stupid for him to hold a grudge.

Even the issue of leaving town because they prefer New York doesn't bother me.  They wouldn't be the first to leave here to go there for any business endeavor.   Baseball, adverstising, wall street... doesn't matter, if your chosen profession is helped by being in the Big Apple, then by all means go there and be happy.

Just don't be too concerned about what anyone thinks about you nor take the "the former employer *forced* me to leave" b.s. stance with me.  It sucks, it is highly offensive and really only makes you out to be the whiner that you really are.  Oh and... on your way out, don't feed me the line about "it's not about money".  That is when you know it is entirely about money.  Lastly, if you had a chance to feed your over massive, out of control, growing like godzilla on steriods ego by making the primo club in baseball actually bow down to your whims, then don't pretend you're not loving the attention and honor of being the one guy who is above the game.  You proved it, you win... embrace it and be happy.

But if someone even dares to say "It's not right, no one should be above the game", don't freak out about it... your ego should be able to sustain someone screaming "Hey look, that sumabitch emporer has no under pants!".

A more level headed approach then I would take, NOE, but to be honest probably the correct one.  Drayton is miles better as a businessman then I would ever be. If he thinks the longterm benefits of having a 10 year service contract with Rocket are beneficial to the team he will do that- and maybe tell Gar or anyone else not to burn any brides. Just b/c I say I would rip it up doesn't mean that's the best way to do it.  Like Alkie says- I'm a fan, it's my job to overreact. I think that's what you might see going on with Gar backtracking a bit, and the rest of the org more or less silent on the issue.

No sense airing dirty laundry in public, especially if the dirty laundry pertains to a guy who has a contract in place to be a future employee of the organization again

[WulawHorn]

I try not to.  He had me fooled at the beginning of the season but he has returned to his rumor mongering ways.  So, he's no longer credible.  McTaggert is the only one I'll use, and that is only when he has something different, which is rare.   The problem is that the majority of the fans get their Astros news only from the Chronicle.  I'm following the Astros, the fans affect what the team does, I try to be aware of what and why the fans think what they think.  Unfortunately that requires reading this drek.  And occasionally listening to the radio.

I'm surprised you gave him another chance. Thank you for trolling through the shit to bring us the occasional nugget (or rather the sense of how this team is perceived in the media). I like McTaggert ok, but he's pretty vanila.

To paraphrase (analogize?) Noe- he is redundant with the coverage footer provides.

[Noe]

A more level headed approach then I would take, NOE, but to be honest probably the correct one.  Drayton is miles better as a businessman then I would ever be. If he thinks the longterm benefits of having a 10 year service contract with Rocket are beneficial to the team he will do that- and maybe tell Gar or anyone else not to burn any brides. Just b/c I say I would rip it up doesn't mean that's the best way to do it.  Like Alkie says- I'm a fan, it's my job to overreact. I think that's what you might see going on with Gar backtracking a bit, and the rest of the org more or less silent on the issue.

No sense airing dirty laundry in public, especially if the dirty laundry pertains to a guy who has a contract in place to be a future employee of the organization again

I actually don't think Scraps is backtracking.  He just wants to make it pretty clear he didn't say just the one thing about Clemens.  He said a lot things, many of which was complimentary.  If Clemens or the Hendricks brothers or whoever this mystery confidant has a problem with Scraps, they better damn well explain away the nice things Scraps said as well.

Selective hearing?  I guess so because right now, the entire freaking landscape of the MLB is saying the same damn thing.  No man should think highly of themself as to think they can be above the game.  When the New Yawk Yanquis, of all people... the land of Ruth, Gerhig, of Pride and Honor, of statues and history... can give in to one man, then the whole MLB landscape from shore to shore reacted the same.

Garner was just the first to say "It ain't right... accept, but not right".  He at no time said that Clemens disrupted his clubhouse though.  In fact, he said it didn't.  Why it didn't he did not say... I suspect because he knows the reason for it is because everyone had a "eh, it's fucking Roger Clemens, what else is new?" attitude about Racket.

Goes with the territory.

[Bench]

A more level headed approach then I would take, NOE, but to be honest probably the correct one.  Drayton is miles better as a businessman then I would ever be. If he thinks the longterm benefits of having a 10 year service contract with Rocket are beneficial to the team he will do that- and maybe tell Gar or anyone else not to burn any brides. Just b/c I say I would rip it up doesn't mean that's the best way to do it.  Like Alkie says- I'm a fan, it's my job to overreact. I think that's what you might see going on with Gar backtracking a bit, and the rest of the org more or less silent on the issue.

No sense airing dirty laundry in public, especially if the dirty laundry pertains to a guy who has a contract in place to be a future employee of the organization again

The fact is, this organization needs Clemens. He singlehandedly turned Oswalt's career around and made Sampson a major leaguer (according to Lopez and Te-heeaaaddddy Bear! the other day Clemens took credit for the success of specifically those two).

[Noe]

The fact is, this organization needs Clemens. He singlehandedly turned Oswalt's career around and made Sampson a major leaguer (according to Lopez and Te-heeaaaddddy Bear! the other day Clemens took credit for the success of specifically those two).

OMG!  Really?

[matadorph]

The biggest issue facing the Astros right now is the White coming off the DL.  I think Jose the JO should go talk to Garner about what the Astros plans are. 

You got your answer:

(I'm in Houston right now. Brian's on the trip. I was actually off all this week and working on some other stuff. JJO)

Working on stuff like sniffing Roger Clemens' chocolate starfish.

[Noe]

You got your answer:
Working on stuff like sniffing Roger Clemens' chocolate starfish.

Moonlighting as the Hendrick's Brothers PR Machine?

[pravata]

You got your answer:
Working on stuff like sniffing Roger Clemens' chocolate starfish.

I followed up by asking, couldn't you call him?  I doubt he'll get it.

[pravata]

Scott Ostler, SF Gate on the "Family Clause"

Clemens said he wasn't aware he had that clause in his new contract, but said it's good to have "in case my family needs me."

Like, to open jars?

and noticed,

Clemens announced his return to baseball Sunday, then on Monday, with the Yankees desperate to get him into pinstripes, he kicked off his "spring training" by playing in a golf tournament.
link

Chris Baldwin, who writes a golf blog also noticed

What did Clemens do the day after he made that theatrical (and self serving) seventh-inning stretch announcement at Yankee Stadium?

He went golfing of course. Clemens played in a charity event at Plainfield Country Club in New Jersey on Monday. Hey, getting in pitching shape could wait another day. Or two.
link

He showed up in Lexington on Wed. Here's a snip from an interview Baldwin did with Clemens last season, right before he started pitching for the Astros

Q: Your competitiveness is legendary on the mound. How competitive do you get out on the golf course?

A: I'm pretty competitive. I want these guys to have a good time and I think they did. Anytime you can win a pro-am of this magnitude, it's a great time.
Plus, we had a lot of side bets. That was really, really important.

Q: So you're lining your pockets pretty well even when you're not under contract with a major-league team?

A: I think so. It's a good time.

link

[Noe]

Scott Ostler, SF Gate on the "Family Clause"

Clemens said he wasn't aware he had that clause in his new contract, but said it's good to have "in case my family needs me."

Like, to open jars?

And last year, the Yankees were rebuffed because they did not conceed a "family clause"... straight from Hendrick's keyboard/blackberry to the media.  So how in the hell can Clemens not know if in fact he refused to sign with the very same team last year because they *would not* give him said clause.  Again, that came from his agents and restated over and over again by the New York media.

Outstanding!

[JimR]

I actually don't think Scraps is backtracking.  He just wants to make it pretty clear he didn't say just the one thing about Clemens. 

except he did say it.

[EasTexAstro]

he says there was "no problem in the clubhouse"?". 

....because Clemens was never IN the clubhouse. That was the problem....

[Noe]

except he did say it.

I know, but he's saying that he didn't *just* say the one thing.

[Lurch]

Sorry if this was posted elsewhere... Did you see Solomon call DQ "drama queen" today?

Seems he's Google searching past Wiki at least...

[Frobie]

From the linked article above: 

And one day, a couple months after Yanamaria had given him a Hummer as a going away present - classy huh? - Roger and Astrid finally got together.

Now that's funny.

[pravata]

Sorry if this was posted elsewhere... Did you see Solomon call DQ "drama queen" today?

Seems he's Google searching past Wiki at least...

That dude's blog is a fetid little wading pool that even I won't go to.

[Astroholic]

That dude's blog is a fetid little wading pool that even I won't go to.

Worth a read Prav.  It is actually pretty good this time, just don't read the readers comments.

[chuck]

I cannot believe I spent 20 minutes of my life that I will never get back listening to that disgusting, snivelling little fucking sycophant lick Clemens' ballsack.

That inarticulate little fuck is a fucking disgrace and a civic embarrassment.

[pravata]

You got your answer:
Working on stuff like sniffing Roger Clemens' chocolate starfish.

He's now refusing to post any of my followups.  He's only posting his little cryptic replies to what I sent to him.

So the readers of his "blog" see only his reply and have no idea what he's replying to.

What I sent was that the Clemens story is a non-issue and if he has time to call Clemens and Hendricks on Wed., why doesnt he have time to call Purpura and Garner about who they're going to have to cut when White is called up? (See instead Footer for the details of that story)  He feels threatened by this line of questioning which exposes his reluctance to talk to Garner at this point. 

I think I must have broke something in his brain. 

[Lefty]

I think I must have broke something in his brain. 

"I won't discuss what I do on my days off" is pretty damn hilarious, prav.  I'm suuuuure you were really prying into his private life there. 

Did you really expect a chron blogger to tackle disagreement & pointed questioning in good faith?

And screw you for intriguing me enough to go look through a comment thread.

[Noe]

He's now refusing to post any of my followups.  He's only posting his little cryptic replies to what I sent to him.

So the readers of his "blog" see only his reply and have no idea what he's replying to.

What I sent was that the Clemens story is a non-issue and if he has time to call Clemens and Hendricks on Wed., why doesnt he have time to call Purpura and Garner about who they're going to have to cut when White is called up? (See instead Footer for the details of that story)  He feels threatened by this line of questioning which exposes his reluctance to talk to Garner at this point. 

I think I must have broke something in his brain. 

So, when you ask:
"If you have time to call Hendricks and Clemens, why don't you call Purpura and Garner about what is important?"

His response to that is this:
"Like I said, I will not use this space to talk about what I do on my days off from work. Your claims are so off base, I cannot even begin to start." JJO

What is so off-base about making a phone call on your off day and putting it in your blog to one group and not to another?  Me confused.  Seems clear that one item, in *his* view was important enough to do on his off day and the other was not.   Is it that he thinks that McTaggart should handle the stuff he deems non-important and allow him to put himself yet again in the middle of the story of the much bigger and juicier player related story?

BTW - his own compadre Jerome is including him in the story of the "soap opera".  Congratulations JdJO, you are now, officially, a part of the story.  Your own newspaper has deemed it so.

[Lefty]

Congratulations JdJO, you are now, officially, a part of the story.  Your own newspaper has deemed it so.

It's like they live in a room full of mirrors.