Rocket Launch: Clemens Cleared on All Perjury Counts

After a five year run up to and court battle with federal prosecutors, Roger Clemens was acquitted today on all counts in his high-profile federal perjury case. In the end Brian McNamee’s ability to convince jurors that he possessed even a modicum of credibility appeared to be a determining factor on which the case turned.

Reports filed from the courthouse by numerous media sources recounted McNamee’s repeated inability to keep his story straight, making the case much more difficult for the prosecution than it had to be. A 10 person jury took just 10 hours to deliberate after the 10-week trial had concluded. You could say the trial went into extra innings.

An emotional Clemens addressed the media after exiting the courthouse. “I’m very thankful,” Clemens said, choking up as he spoke after the verdict. “It’s been a hard five years,” he said when speaking to Fox News.

What this means to to the seven time Cy Young Award winner and his chances for getting into Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame hangs in the balance. Two things are certain. Roger Clemens was a pitcher second to none whose work ethic can’t be underestimated. For now his court win has carried the day and may put to rest the scandalous charges. Anyone think a book or two is already being madly written?