Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports - MLB

Ken Rosenthal has been a senior baseball writer for fox sports dot com since 2005. He appears weekly on fox sports networks baseball report of course Major League Baseball on fox but I'm short. Nothing gives him more professional pride in being -- baseball insider for the dale and -- program during the season. I'm almost by and -- myself heck I'm like Roger Clements like convince myself of anything can.

Happy -- and I believe it I believe you're excited I mean -- I've heard from sources that you this is something he looked forward you look forward to a during the season. Just talk announced weekly I'll. I'll that is active effort that. I'd say a year unlike certain people that I don't give me. -- about it yeah I care what I like.

What did you think as you watched the whole lot made for TV miniseries last night.

Well I think that it and it -- is basically that either -- current patriots. Or is convinced that he can't be caught a lot. I don't think we've ever seen an -- the deepest. Aggressive about it and their reputation art performance enhancing drug -- he's done. He issued this statement through lawyer -- video interview on its web site okay and sixty minutes then -- defamation law and yesterday press cup next will be congress. People say that well. You know there have been at the bit to defend themselves no -- ever had -- lose but I don't think a person would put himself. Risk like this unless he dealt a even -- truthful or Pete could not be taught in -- But they should be evidence against Clement is most substantial evidence. For example if Barry Bonds -- Bryant act needs work under oath and I think Rogers trying to. That was shadow of doubt about. Maybe even more than shadow of doubt.

He has established it and and maybe the reason he's being so aggressive and it's because he knows. That if if it comes down to a -- comes down to he he said he said he's got a good chance coming out of this thing pretty clean.

You don't buy this problem I think is that more he talks. The more history consistency shoot two for example. Initially said that he never tried it substance for Bryant back into the jet game ever at. Right back in the inject any well is that sixty minutes injected. Twelve and -- take -- Yes today is water rest you aren't as well Mac in Munich on to them. Become to represent about -- An agent and said what it happens it's part senator Mitchell and basically told -- what it's all the -- he. Clement go to sixty that it that it says I had no idea is going to happen I was totally blind -- well. Maybe Clement wasn't -- fully aware -- the I think he was I think art indicated that he was. But is yet to fully blind sided -- can't certain. So again. If you look at him. To defend Roger Clemens you can find enough problems prime Japanese beat police that -- if -- looking to believe Brian actively you can kind of problem Roger.

Marion Jones sued victor can't -- for defamation of character back in 2004. And we all know what the ultimate outcome of -- case once -- think this defamation of character a lawsuit could be similar.

I don't know that Roger Clemens like Mary Joe not sent it federal investigation and I'm more the -- art well I. I -- question. What exactly is going on here yet and I heard something yesterday.

About the idea. The lawsuit al alleging that the federal agent prosecutors threatened -- into implicating club. Of course it is awaiting that the government course that well we kickoff the government we've seen time and -- Mark Stuart. Barrett not whoever -- thank -- so it's kind of a scorched earth -- and any embarking on at a decent. And I think there's great -- can.

Andy -- here rusty Harden backing away from that yesterday too.

Read a lot and I would suggest to people -- a lot and I quoted at five what are I look forward from it. Right here because it says very directly at -- it means. Was threatened by the federal people into implicating and can't. That's pretty clear.

think that happened. Now I don't think that happens I don't particularly stupid and a lot of out. But that's what being alleged here any.

When I'm just trying to say is go down -- A pretty risky path to go -- and I'm not sure. Roger Clemens to get the best advice in fact I would suggest they probably didn't he get there would be 12 I will read is what the -- that right here.

Well what what will bear with your enemy terrible to answer to some great Albert -- stories to that.

Oh all right Jerry here Clement petition states lost according to back. You're really needed allegation the federal authorities after being -- with criminal prosecution if he did not implicate on. Now -- I don't know how. They would know that act techniques that they need it meant it to the federal investing the climate is army Q talk on the but more importantly. There are lacking that he was directing course and again that's a -- respect I think that the -- and.

When I look at the things that that that jump out at me from the Mitchell report we've quoted a couple of times today. The paragraph -- quarter again but basically what it says he has. As long as Brian Mac in the told the truth they had a plea agreement he was going to be okay. The minute he lied. He was subject to going to jail. I I can't for the life of me figure out any reason and and and Roger just doesn't it knowledge this why he told the truth about -- it. But I about Clemens at the risk.

I don't did not acknowledge that -- you're absolutely right in right back position is very similar to the position that -- and the other Balco. Just fire for. On not being. In -- was -- it because he used there they don't care about that well I think they care to some extent but he was indicted because. He testified. With the understanding that he told true he'd be fine but he did not tell the truth and he was subject to prosecution exactly the same thing. And it usually every bit of cultures doesn't age well. But I think there was a powerful incentive for a -- you just where inclement case thus far. There's been don't and it held true necessarily. On sixty minutes -- up yet you're not Europe not face any charges why. So there's a different standard under which their comments -- equipment must be --

Infected there is pointing out here that the only person who has testified under oath in these proceedings. Is Brian Mac and.

Correct now. If you want to kept spurs are -- character which on the while. You can do it and you question whether this guy who as a target of the said. Which what is written agreement was injured -- at first it is a reputable trustworthy. The bottom line is what you just said -- he has Europe.

I can't get excited here -- 37 to 38 minutes to go before 2 o'clock then the announcements -- who's going to be in the Hall of Fame you tell me.

My guess is just do and I know -- appointed Jim rice fan but I just don't see right -- 63% last year's -- I percent the year before every a pretty big jump begin. And in a year in -- there's no great. Stand out first ballot first time guy. If you will happen but. I don't know I think he's got a good news at 71 point 2% last year just a couple of dozen -- shot out. The -- 5% requirement I think he will get it up at certain about right.

Well why isn't Goosen are ready in your opinion.

Should be -- already it's reduced. And that -- about he was the dominant closer busier and -- as the year -- Unlike you repair who does intervene in the eighth inning into games in the seventh inning and -- reiterated great strikeout totals. He was feared he should be and I don't think relievers get enough respect the that is changing -- getting elected two years ago recklessly here's where that. I think in need to change I have a real part time. With voters and one of them analyzing players for role. That performance is closer is a beagle and part of baseball if it -- is legal in part eight all. Those players the best and should be honored as well the other all.

In the aftermath of the Pete rose saga there were several -- Hall of Fame voters who as their formal protest sent back a blank ballot. As their way of showing their disdain for for what was going on it is expected that there are some voters who in the aftermath of all the steroids stories are going to do the same sort of thing. Those protesters ended up hurting Jim Bunning back then they may end up hurting Jim rice today for that reason.

I don't think we're going to see many blank out I don't on the last -- that for a fact but I think I'm not mistaken. And that's your reports about it now and you -- that to me is not a viable protest because it penalizes other players being. If you protesting against first very year right. Well okay send a blank ballot you're you're harming a lot of players that they do it this year. And I just -- that so. I don't will be. That that happened last year that -- and you know right now the penalty is going to happen this year you know last year. There were. Situation where Ripken got 98 point 5% 537. Votes there about 500 DP partner or 550 outcast if you got that many I can't Matt Miller. What more than one or -- like about it it.

You know ten DL asked me earlier in the show we were talking about Bert Blyleven he said. Did you ever believe the Bert Blyleven was the best pitcher in baseball at any time and I answered no but I still think. Bert Blyleven as a hall of Famer I guess my question for you is. When you think of the Hall of Fame you think the Hall of Fame. Is a place where where what type of players got the best in the game or among the leaked. Players in the game how do you view it.

Michael this is -- defining question for any order and when I initially got a blow it up years ago. I believe that the -- would only vote for players were actually land deal -- appeal. And yet you have about the responsibility of voting period it would difficult to do just that because when you compare players. Some compare favorably and he can't have one without the other Bridget justifiable without the other. And we kind of Blyleven and it's very difficult and I think Dallas right. It was not someone you looked at all -- but I can believe there are all favorites too because of the -- what they accomplished oral -- rear. -- serving and Marvin might have happened audience flashy numbers this -- Blyleven has two great. Statistics and newspaper in my opinion it on the all on the strike which strip in nineteen shut. He also has created for years I did not vote for him because I thought I voted for him. I would be wrongly excluding topic -- in Cotts who also won -- eight innings or more directing you could. Argue a case for either one of them or not -- all the old school club -- after the game that there are a lot of great things to recommend him. Beyond even what he is pitcher and I don't -- stated that surgery. Which you lose the first relief how to as a prominent player revolutionized the sport and I think. We don't have a -- Spain that merit some. In the end I just see Blyleven. Such better than those two guys. And I think because of the signature are all because of the fact that he played for -- didn't give a lot of run support -- teams that. In many cases played hitters parks. When he added all up I think he answers yet oddities you want from me derisive lottery one for me but I April from both.

The infect the one year Blyleven won twenty games in the only did it once he lost seventeen year.

Right any wins and losses are all the -- I idol we have in officials standard different ways but. As I think voters and stands in their observers to become more aware of recent years. When the losses are a stat that. Are controlled by putting up -- bullpen. Run support ERA is what you look at I think strikeout per nine finished behind all these kinds of states base front nine. They're more accurate measures. Oh I don't hold when he went in against also name matches. And I don't think of this guy at all Famer but I think in the argument form in time it's going to be like this. But like I. And twenty win you do not resonate but. He's going to end up with 250 wins this year hitters here pitching his entire period in American league east. Batting practice I that they get a look at guided multitude of ways.

I'm glad I'm glad you said that -- I think I agree review in that. You really have to look at all the factors that is that this guy that was the best pitcher of the best hitters there now Mike Mussina. I would say no on mussina not say why I can't remember one great moment. Lacking American pick one -- they want to break in the post season.

Well yeah actually had a couple -- but we dominate the early part I believe that Clemens. Right I think that's -- on the suggestions is. Okay I don't think I would vote. Same time all pointing out -- Bible guy and a guy that when he.

Right right. Bert Blyleven by the way didn't get to the post season a lot when he did he did very well -- lot will Johan Santana ever be traded and -- Soto.

I was I do and that they were all tired handicap it because all the wrong I'm ready. But I still think he's going to be traded and it stopping at the end of the day it's going to be the Yankees. This is just my opinion it is not based in the knowledge or anything like that. I just think the Yankees that the greater need in the -- that ultimately. With hank Steinbrenner pushing maybe more inclined to make this deal you look at that Yankee rotation they're not enough that are any outlawed. And I think that's why. Eight and stayed -- thing that's where it is today didn't even want to do it but. -- something that. And convert four handicap by the media and myself included. I don't know that I can really read any better -- right now.

But I bet I bet you do note this is here's my final question wary. Who replaces -- eligible I'd I'd note you know at.

I don't answer that. But it's probably going to be a guy who can get -- together because that you know British -- Baltimore over the last ten years.

Billick -- the reputation of being able to help those offenses.

Yet their reputation he is not delivered. And it's fun to tell wideout and.

It's fun to check back in with you again happy New Year today and and look at it this way coupled we short weeks and you'll be back down spring training. They can argue that -- care Ken Rosenthal from fox sports. Fox sports dot com and of course the you know repackage on fox are regular weekly baseball insider during the course of the baseball season