Richard Justice, Houston Chronicle

I was thinking of the three places in the United States of America where. This Roger Clemens thing has the most legs one is obviously New York City one is obviously Boston Massachusetts. And the third is Houston Texas whenever we want to talk about. Things in Houston Texas who better to talk to them Richard justice from the Houston chronicle Richard -- Michael again how Loria. I'm good you guys. Richard had an -- there. What's the what's the reaction in Houston Sunday that the current Roger Clemens dog and pony show on Capitol Hill.

It's probably been about his advice did an issue from start to finish as. Can remember. In net. The people who like Clement but he still has friends here even know he left the Astros are looking for any reason to defend him and that that includes the media -- attorney rusty Hardin that delicate job work in the media. And the people that I can for leaving Eric you know it just slant whatever is happening game in a way that makes Roger. Look look who looked the worst -- topic today on talk radio it's still a big story in the newspaper. And if you asking people they probably get in the third used to have it but it split right down the middle and people who think like. And people who believe back -- me by meg going to -- believe Roger Clemens.

Richard -- we're used. -- on Clemens is behavior at that press conference we came and he was very angry said it was. For him -- some people in the eyes because he was getting question in his hometown where do you stand on that hole performance that brought out.

Well I was so long that he said he couldn't stand being in the same room where it's it's okay. You know when you're when they make part of a you know this might want to make you part of the news. You don't like that the I think it. I think you know these athletes a lot of them live in a Bobble and you don't know if they're getting. They're looking at the world -- others look at it are what people are telling him. And I -- this whole case from start to finish after that has sort of taken attitude that he. He's dealing with the media. In a post game news conference doing CS as -- need to say. It was an umpire you know complaining in the second inning and you get a call on the fifth inning. And I just don't know I could be wrong but I just don't know that he knows that he understands. Does -- deal with circumstances they could why did nothing in jail at this point I just don't think he. I don't know I just picky he's used to dig his way he's got used to be no. And he's got used to be challenged on things in this is a new huge -- he has -- handle --

On January 7 with that press conference where Roger was clarinet and said he couldn't stand to be in the same room with. When right when they played the syrup -- issues phone call apparently according to Brian Mac in these attorneys that's when McNamee said. All right all holds or are no longer barred here and that's when he turned over the evidence that the federal authorities. Do you think Clements ever in his wildest dreams assuming McNamee is evidence is real ever thought this guy kept this stuff and shoe box somewhere.

I would think he had an oh my god normal when he heard that I mean that that was that was what I had you know he did that motives why he did -- that at the releasing it shapeless. Idiotic on up on a number level for one thing if you listen close I gotta call that night from. From somebody said hey. With dusty is being discussed in this recording if you listen to -- a certain way. Dynamic but he is telling Roger I tried to warn you a positive tests for steroids after I heard -- this guy was -- he was talking. I told Jim Murray wrote all the majors this kid Jim -- he worked and -- into it. And the holding up I just -- it was it was it made him look smarmy to do that and they both. You know nothing was ever city -- do you wanna if you -- it. If you want to get to -- I just come -- and tell people I didn't do you know that situated and then we'll see what it dancers.

Well here's a question. If it was idiotic to release that tape. What is rusty -- purpose here what what is rusty Hardin telling Roger Clemens to your.

I had bad bad about that I -- In my opinion or did he do go to rest he would accomplish his goalie that is David New York Times all of our whole budget times. I'd take you -- to eat what. I guess righty split lips and I didn't do it and I India first rate it hit in so what they've done I mean working. Working depressed and working congress is trying to create the suspicion and doubt.

If I'm Roger Clemens that I I had an oh my god moment you know when when these photographs were released this evidence was released. And the other the other thing -- sit there wondering -- what did Andy say. When he went behind those closed doors do you think he's tried to find that out.

I you know that's cross that I near tampering with a witness might eating you've noticed that Kevin Millwood thing at least. Within a minute there has not been warned word leaked about Petit are not blocker you emerged testimony so he went into it -- it talked investigators. Completely blind -- he would beat. Eight fool not to wonder what they hit instead what they had no doubt they asked if -- This is a game of chicken -- pretty -- he's pretty good at playing at you know I cannot. Imagine that we're going to get that these two guys are gonna go right down this road got a Capitol Hill and swear. On the on the on the Bible next Wednesday two different stories but that's where this is headed.

If Roger Clemens I know this is not going to happen richer but if Roger Clemens decide today are taking this thing too far I did some things I should have done please forgive me. What he'd be about Baseball Hall of Fame in five years 56 years.

Well depends on what -- other other guys they came they came out he would. He could be delayed getting maybe you up on the -- the Mitchell the -- that was released to speak about it you know -- But shouldn't panic you might have done the same state. I was trying to be the best I could be Jack crossed the line and sarge admitted I think we look look at -- whole steroid -- differently you know that any other players might have. Empowered to come out and say too -- it will. It might have changed seat. The way we look at look at people who use steroids. And -- you know the history died we move on indicated by years we decide it was -- want to vote for Roger all of saint. Now idiocy he has kept the story alive any any he has his premiums double until corner aside I don't I don't I don't see him a lesson making changes. I don't see him get in all of fame when he's eligible match I at some point maybe but not at the beginning now.

Richard in -- in your mind and and in your opinion in the minds of baseball fans in Houston. Isn't Andy -- totally off the hook right now.

Absolutely I think Jason Giambi doppler -- whether -- out his you know wherever forgiving society has led. You know we understand you mentioned you made a mistake you let your ambition -- overcome your good judgment that happens I haven't all the off these guys to be great. And you LB owners were look at the other way the union protected him. Guys -- put in the terrible ethical quandary you know -- to make the right choice now. When you can you not take steroids your break in -- no question that you're doing that in in you gotta be strong persons at times not to cross that line. Yeah I think any any justice spring training and it's old news by then.

You know we have the opinion from afar that Andy and Roger are these closest pals their their bosom buddies we know they worked out together. Are as close as we think they are.

I think they're close in an effort as teammates and I think they're regard for one another is very high that social. Birdies no await them away from baseball know and he and Roger wants to be -- you guys know Roger -- in the spotlight he wants to be. On the biggest stage can be the Bob hope Desert Classic to -- whatever is a big event he wants to beat it. And I 88 ideal approach today. -- boiled crawfish would Hispanic. -- on an off day al onetime assistant will be doing for fun you know any says I'm going to go boiled crawfish would back badly that. -- he would play under the radar guy in that way but could not be more different as far as how they are in the spotlight eighty. Keep any can live without the spotlight I don't know that Roger king.

You know Richard there are always stories that you hear as a reporter. That you can't put into the paper because you don't have the sources that will back it up but we we know Roger Clemens in the Mitchell report before the Mitchell report came out. If you heard anything in Houston 20042005 that Roger Clemens might be doing some things.

You know every player that hit. A bunch of home runs in this generation of players you've heard stories about her yet suspicions about every player that that got bigger Jeff Bagwell. -- to me a month. 34 months ago he said. Are you telling me that everyone that accomplish something in this era. Is going to be under the umbrella of suspicion Massa yeah to argue that and you. You know you can you -- gonna guard your union -- made -- steroid testing you didn't do it they owners try to get it in 94 so doubt suspect Roger navy. And yes but I suspected. I -- I suspected hundreds of guys because that -- a certain point after 98 after 2001 that was just the air and which we live. Rusty -- no I haven't gotten a medium I've only met him one time through this -- that rockets' season ticket holder SC in Iraq it's games occasionally but I did not know.

I mean I get the feeling just listening to home he's a pretty smart guy. I'm an.

He's a brilliant attorney -- Sammy needing that guy when you're in trouble the he would be it may stints. This is Roger would seek out and -- letting got a high profile Washington attorney to handle the business of congress but yeah bet bet bet Roger would go to rusty Hardin. Made a lot of sense and -- rusty. He's very persuasive that you really -- even when he tells you. You're completely wrong street doesn't such a kind way. The you don't realize -- ripped to shreds and to lead until you until hours after the fact that's a pretty good way to handle the media.

See my guess is 'cause I think he's really smart guy and a brilliant attorney. My guess is he's never asked Roger did you do steroids.

But ask attorneys that are at stake. They do want to know they don't why -- they did they don't want surprises but I would guess he did ask him that -- tell him I'm told you the truth I did not do it I'm sure that's what he's told his wife and his kids and and I think this may be part of his motive for. The fighting the good side is that you'd you'd you'd. Drawn a line in the sand with your family in that would be the most painful -- to go back to him and say. You know -- I want congress rejected do that it -- cast into a captive shadow over your career but he's in the the minor leagues in any it's going to bring ridicule upon him. I'm sure all those things figure into.

Richard off topic. My partner wants to know why newspapers newspaper guys go over to the electronic side of -- over to our dark side that's what.

I think that first in the fifteenth they -- It's a few days and months he's a.

That was my guess Richard because it you know it lord Michael over the bar dark side it would really appreciates taken a few minutes and and enlightening us from the Houston perspective thank you. Take our -- thank you that is Richard justice Houston chronicle also has his own talk -- down there in. In Houston