As for Clemens’ reputation, even one of his lawyers conceded the pitcher might have not have given an All-Star performance.

“In all of my years of watching politics, I’m never seen a good witness before Congress,” Hardin said. “If there are members of that committee that think they’re adverse to you, and when you have the chairman adverse to you, you’re not going to appear good. The average citizen is not a good witness before (the bright lights). This guy is the greatest pitcher of all time, and that’s what he is good at.”

During the hearing, some congressmen questioned whether the committee should be focused on other pressing matters. That also was a sentiment expressed at spring training, which began in Florida and Arizona on the same day as the hearing.

“It’s all hearsay. Everybody is all pointing fingers,” San Francisco Giants reliever Steve Kline said of Clemens. “I pity the guy. Half the guys admitted it and they’re not getting persecuted. It’s just bad for baseball.

“Who cares about what happened in 1987? It’s over. Who cares about Congress? We’ve got gasoline prices that are off the charts and they’re worried about steroids. Maybe this gets people’s minds off the war. Everybody’s got skeletons in their closet. If you did it, admit it. If he didn’t do it, I see why he’s fighting his (tail) off,” he said.

Clemens will continue to do just that, through a defamation lawsuit he has filed against McNamee. For now, though, he is taking a recess from the making his case before the court of public opinion.

“He’s done every single thing that people howling at him say he would do if he were innocent,” Hardin said. “And now he’s through. Roger has done everything he can to address these concerns now, and he’s going to try to resume his normal life.”

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