Pocono News Section

Clemens congressional hearing reaction

Clemens congressional hearing reaction - Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 4:30PM EST

Wednesday, Feb 13, 2008 @04:30pm EST

Major League Baseball Pitcher Roger Clemens testified before a house committee investigating the illegal use of performance-enhancing drugs in major league baseball.

The house oversight and government reform committee called Clemens and his former personal trainer, Brian Mcnamee, as witnesses today.

Clemens refuted findings in former senator George Mitchell's independent investigation done for major league baseball.

From capitol hill, to Pattes sports bar in Wilkes-Barre, sports fans are talking about the Roger Clemens hearing.

Carl mugford of Wilkes-Barre says, "If it was legal at the time, who cares. I mean, I don't think it makes him any less of a pitcher. It's only my opinion."

Phil Latinski of Wilkes-Barre says, "If he said he didn't do it, it's his word against the other word."

Clemens is arguably one of the best pitchers in baseball history.

He pitched a rehab assignment for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees last year at PNC field in Moosic.

Sports opinions aside, the men we sat down with say congress is wasting their time going after alleged steroid users.

"Our economy is going to heck, we’re going into a recession, we have a war and we're wasting all this time. Congress is wasting all this time on steroids," says Latinski.

A thought echoed by Latinski's brother, Ed.

"I think it's a waste of the taxpayers money and time and effort when we have so many problems in the world and they're worrying ab out somebody taking some type of hormone. And they don't know whether it was legal when they took it or not," says Latinski.

It's not clear what affect the Clemens hearing will have on sports, or where any investigations will lead from here.

Some fans hope the issue will be resolved quickly.

"It's ridiculous and Arlen Specter is worrying about the patriots? I mean, let's go. It's ridiculous what they're doing," says Bernie Truant.

Thoughts and opinions from the court of public opinon.