There’s No Clemency for Roger

If a picture is worth a thousand words and actions speak louder than words, the photograph of Roger Clemens preparing to hurl the barrel of a bat at Mike Piazza speaks louder than his 260 wins, 3,504 strikeouts, 116 complete games, 3.07 earned-run average and five Cy Young Awards. It will be, more than all of his accomplishments, what he will be most remembered for, and will guarantee him lasting enshrinement in baseball’s Hall of Shame.

TOM BERRIGAN

Burbank

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Conversation between Roger Clemens and one of his kids after Game 2:

Son: Daddy, why did you throw that piece of bat at Mike Piazza after his bat broke?

Clemens: Uh, son, Piazza intentionally sent that bat in my direction after hitting the ball foul. He had complete control of the bat. He meant to do it. That’s why I threw the bat at him. To get even. Not going to have anyone throwin’ bats at me.

Son: Oh, OK, I guess I understand.

And they wonder why ratings are down in baseball.

KEN SHREVE

Studio City

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I am glad that Bill Plaschke decided to be a sportswriter and not a judge. It seems, in his universe, that when Roger Clemens hits a batter with a pitch, he’s a headhunter. The difference between hitting a batter and not hitting one is a matter of inches, but Plaschke always seems certain that it’s intentional. However, when the same pitcher tosses a broken bat off the field and “misses” Mike Piazza by a good two or three feet, Plaschke would have him up on a charge of attempted murder.

In other words, Clemens either throws with pinpoint accuracy or he throws like my grandmother. Plaschke can’t have it both ways.

BURT PRELUTSKY

North Hills