Clemens Takes Brunt of Criticism Following Mitchell Report Release

Amid the Mitchell Report hysteria one day later, deadspin.com gets it right in agreeing that ESPN's Jayson Stark had the most comprehensive and dead-on take, focusing on "the public perception that those names in the report are guilty without a shadow of a doubt despite evidence that wouldn't even stand up in a civil case. Not that it really matters; we wanted our pound of flesh, and we got it.

"How delicious, then, that the pound of flesh belonged to Roger Clemens! Perhaps the most universally loathed baseball player has finally gotten the comeuppance many wished upon him. Hating Roger Clemens: It's not just for baseball fans anymore!"

Stark points out: "the evidence against Clemens is essentially he said/he said."

Deadspin repsonds: "WHO CARES?" The Mitchell Report was gonna nail someone to the wall and ruin their reputation forever. And it turned out to be Roger Clemens! Bad day for baseball? What? Says who?"

Well, endorsers care.

The New York Post adds this: Roger Clemens can say goodbye to his cellphone-endorsement deal, and fellow juicers won't need to get ready for their close-ups anytime soon, marketing experts said.

"It should go without saying that none of these players are viable for corporate endorsement in the near future," said Kevin Adler, president of Engage Marketing, a Chicago firm.

Photo of Roger Clemens by pitches against the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium in June 2007 by SAED HINDASH/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

Even President George Bush chimed in:

``I love the sport, I love the game,'' Bush said during a press conference at the White House Rose Garden. ``Like many fans, I've been troubled by the steroid allegations. My hope is that this report is a part of putting the steroid-era of baseball behind us.''

The U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has asked baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, union chief Donald Fehr and Former Senator George Mitchell to appear at a hearing on Dec. 18, while a U.S. House Commerce subcommittee will hold a hearing on Jan. 23.

Bush was managing general partner of the Texas Rangers from 1989 through 1994.

It's not like Clemens needs the extra cash. He made about $18 million last season for the Yankees and has brought home at least $140 million across the two decades of his 354-win career.

But there is his reputation and the Hall of Fame. Both may never be the same.