Accused steroid cheat and pathological liar Roger Clemens appeared on ESPN Radio’s "Mike and Mike in the Morning" Tuesday to apparently refute the content of the newly released book "American Icon: The Fall of Roger Clemens and the Rise of Steroids in America's Pastime" (authored by the New York Daily News sports writing quartet of Teri Thompson, Nathaniel Vinton, Michael O’Keeffe and Christian Red).
The book, of course, portrays the pitcher, one of the best of all-time, in an extremely negative light and essentially portrays Clemens as, among other things, a fraud for using performance-enhancing drugs to achieve his tremendous on-field success.
Even before the release of this book the Clemens saga has been spinning since his name was found to be included in MLB’s Mitchell Report, released in December 2007.
Since his appearance in front of a Congressional committee in February 2008 to defend himself against the steroid accusations, Clemens has virtually disappeared from the media’s eye and, despite numerous media requests, has not addressed the windfall of allegations until his phone-interview with Mike and Mike…sort of.
Clemens’ lawyer (Rusty Hardin) stated prior to the interview that his client was invited onto the radio show, but it seemed obvious by the very thin and softball-style questions from the two hosts (Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic) that some type of agreement regarding the questioning was reached prior to the appearance.
Although I have no inside or specific knowledge to confirm this, it appeared that in exchange for the exclusive interview (along with the ample time given to ESPN to promote it) the show’s hosts would not grill Clemens, not go into much detail about the book’s accusations and not ask the former Yankee, Astro, Blue Jay and Red Sock to respond to the book’s numerous unflattering topics.
I believe the toughest question Clemens was asked was whether or not he was ever injected with steroids.
Really, Mike and Mike?
Besides the fact that Clemens has already answered that question about a thousands times from other media outlets, did you really think he was going to breakdown and admit he’s been lying for the last 18 months and destroy what’s left of his reputation?
“Mike and Mike in the Morning” is an entertainment-style radio show that discusses news and events in and around the world of sports. It’s a well-regarded and highly-rated national show that has a light and fun format.
Nothin' wrong with that.
But there is something wrong when you venture into the journalistic-side of sports commentary and represent yourself as an impartial member of the media - when you’re clearly not. It was irresponsible for ESPN to have conducted the first Roger Clemens interview in more than a year and promote it as a fair and balanced media interview.
ESPN has a responsibility to its audience to aim for the highest level of journalistic integrity. Promotions and ratings should not supersede standards and ethics, which it did for the Clemens interview.
ESPN did something similar when it aired the first Alex Rodriguez interview this past March after the story broke the slugger had tested positive for steroids back in 2003.
When the explosive news hit the public, the Rodriguez camp immediately contacted ESPN and its senior baseball writer Peter Gammons to arrange the interview. Perhaps not quite as weak as the Mike and Mike segment with Clemens, the A-Rod interview was anything but in-depth or investigatory.
Gammons asked the predictable questions and never tried to squeeze or push Rodriguez on anything. So afterwards, one had to wonder why it was ESPN and Gammons that A-Rod went to so quickly to tell his story.
The same way one had to wonder why Clemens went to ESPN and Mike and Mike to spin his version of the detrimental new book.
The ESPN name and brand is the biggest and most powerful in all of sports media. It offers numerous avenues of sports-related content and entertainment. But it has to recognize the journalist-line and distinguish it for its viewers, listeners, readers, online audience, etc.
Don’t allow your leisurely laid back programs, like Mike and Mike, to conduct serious sports stories and interviews. It’s not fair to the audience.
Have the strength to use an outlet more appropriate for the tougher stuff. If the subject insists on calling the shots, then you must pass on the scoop in the name of ethics.
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