Clemens: The other thing is, I don’t know how many months ago it was, I asked you, you know, I didn’t know who this cat was in the New York Mets - this guy.

McNamee: I told your guys, man. I told (Jim) Murray, I told him his name. I told Murray.

Clemens: I asked you point blank, I said, do you know who this cat is when we were working. I said there’s some rumblings about some guys with the Mets. Do you know who this guy is? You told me no.

McNamee: You know what, I would have told you yes. If you told me, if I remember that, if you told me that, I would have told you yes.

Clemens: I asked you point blank. Randy and them all called me to ask. Said who -

McNamee: I told Jim Murray, I told Jim Murray. I told him. I told him. I sat down with him in Starbucks on the corner where you used to live and I told him the guy’s name. And I told him please don’t tell Roger yet, but to be careful, but no. If you had asked me, I would have told you that. If you remember, if you remember, I was trying to get with you to talk with you. I was reaching out to you.

Clemens: Brother -

McNamee: I didn’t want Kenny around -

Clemens: You were a foot in front of me doing ab work.

McNamee: All right, then, you know what, then I messed up. I should have done. But you know what, if I had remembered that, then I would have told you. I would have told. Like I told - I told Jim Murray his name. I told him to be careful.

Clemens: Again, Jimmy has never told me.

McNamee: He sat down writing on the stupid yellow pad. He took notes. And he said he spoke to Randy. And he said he’s covered. And I said, all right, well, don’t tell Roger because I don’t want to mess up -

Clemens: Nobody said a word to me, just like everything else.

McNamee: Well, I’m telling you the truth. I met with Jimmy in ‘04, and I told him. I said Jimmy, I just wanted to give you guys a heads up because you better have some information. I’d rather you be prepared than unprepared. And he took all these notes and (unintelligible)

If McNamee can somehow corroborate his story about Jimmy and Starbucks, Clemens is toast. The fact that he mentioned a location and a “stupid yellow pad” is even more intriguing. The more we learn, the more I question why the Clemens camp played went public with this audio tape. Maybe they assummed that McNamee was also recording it and would eventually publicize it as well.

Of course Hardin and the Hendricks boys vehemently deny any conversation between Murray and McNamee. Is it possible that Murray kept the meeting secret in order to protect the agency and ensure another high-dollar contract for Clemens?

• On Burke’s demotion in April: “I don’t like it. If you’re going to put Chris Burke on the bench, I think it’s a horrible move.” Berkman was quickly reprimanded by team officials.
• On his June ejection for arguing balls and strikes: “It shouldn’t have escalated into anything. All I said was, no way, no way.” Berkman proceeded to throw his batting gloves and equipment bag onto the field before exiting the dugout. Very mature.
• On leaving the clubhouse and returning to the field after his ejection: “What are you supposed to do? Just sit around with ice on you while your teammates are involved in a bench-clearing brawl? You can’t do that. No matter what happens, I don’t care how much they fine me or how much they suspend me, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.'’ Hey Berkman…have you seen Carlos Lee lately? They call him El Cabello not because he’s as big as a horse, but because he knocked out a horse in 4 rounds one day back in Panama. I think he’ll survive without you.

So…Berkman’s not been making the brightest decisions as of late, and is obviously out of his game. Let’s look at some possible reasons why he may be in a funk:

• He’s no longer the big dog. Lee’s is Houston’s new $100 million man, and he’s earning his keep so far. Maybe Berkman’s jealous.
• Berkman is still upset that his buddy Burke isn’t living up to expectations. (Oh no, not another clubhouse couple a la Pettitte / Clemens.)
• He’s got the fat woes. Really…it looks like he’s put on some weight this year, so Fat Elvis may make a resurgence.
• He’s in a once-in-a-lifetime long slump. If this is the case, we can expect the real Slim Shady…uh…Slim Berkman…uh…Fat Elvis to stand up in the summer. He has shown some signs of improvement in the Colorado series, despite his mental mistakes (two homers in his last four at bats as of writing).

If you wanted to really show the fans some love, go ahead and commit to something. I don’t care, go back to Boston if you want. Or the Bronx. Heck, go pitch for Arizona, I don’t care anymore. Just stop basking in your Hall of Fame glory and choose something. It’s not like you’re choosing whether or not to go fight in Iraq, or that the decision has some eternal consequences. It’s a game, and you play for a living! Choose a team and play if you want to play…

This begs the question, who will be the Texas comeback player of the year, Richard Hidalgo for the Astros, or Sammy Sosa for the Rangers?

“I see it this way: Someone who doesn’t take his team to the playoffs doesn’t deserve to win the MVP.”

Right…here’s thinking that if the Astros had eclipsed the Cardinals at the 160 game mark, Fat Albert would be signing a different tune.

Of course we can’t ignore the fact that the Tigers blew it more than once during the give game series. Tiger pitchers combined for five errors in give games. A defense that had been sustained all year fell apart when it mattered most, led by young pitchers who may have let nerves get the best of them.

When we look back on the 2006 World Series, the smudge on Rogers’ hand and the errors in the field will be remembered. There was no mammoth homerun by Albert Pujols, no 14-inning nail-biter and no managerial screw-ups. Only solid play by one club, and lousy play by another.

Congratualations St. Louis!