From 60 Minutes, to a press conference that included a bizarre taped phone conversation, Roger Clemens is starting to swing back at the allegations that he used HGH/steroids. Clemens is vehemently denying being a user; an approach that might just paint him into a corner. Clemens’ personal trainer, Brian McNamee, has come out and said he provided human growth hormone for the legendary right hander, and his good friend and training partner Andy Pettite has admitted using the drug. It doesn’t take a conspiracy nut to question Clemens’ sincerity. Similar to Barry Bonds, Clemens had an miraculous revival after the age of 35. This denial will not be Clemens’ last: he now says he will swear under oath in front of congress, and faces a barrage of more bad press once Jose Conseco’s new tell-all book comes out, which will no doubt include dirt on Clemens. If Clemens is clean, this is the only way to go, however; if he isn’t, he has a long road ahead. Lie to the press and your fans, and you might still wind up in the Hall of Fame. Lie under oath, and you might wind up in jail.

After months of anticipation and millions of dollars, George Mitchell’s report on steroids in baseball has been released. A number of professional baseball players are juicing; probably the same percentage as in every other pro sport. As fans, instead of asking who?, maybe we should be asking why? As in, Why should we care if pro athletes are on steroids? If an athlete decides to risk his long term health for a multi-million dollar contract, how is it any of my concern? Sport has evolved in many ways over the years: better training and diet, improved equipment, and better medical treatment, to name a few; steroids are simply part of that evolution. And to all those hypocrites who want to start erasing records all in the name of “fairness,” you should start with pre-1947 accomplishments: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Cy Young never once had to compete against a black player. Now that’s something that’s unfair.

At most company quarterly meetings, you will hear a long list of executives at a podium speaking about the organisations rosy financial future. I’m sure Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is no different. There is no doubt their economic future does look bright. But with over a quarter of the NHL season now in the books, the on-ice side of the business appears darker with each performance. And now, as if being amongst the leagues bottom feeders wasn’t bad enough, CEO Richard Peddie yesterday told the Toronto Sun that it is was a mistake hiring GM John Ferguson Jr. four seasons ago. Since the team has gotten steadilly worse since Fergusons arrival, Peddie was doing nothing but stating the obvious. Firing Ferguson should, and will happen, but it shouldn’t stop there. This front office needs an entire overhaul and it should start from the very top.

While the Leafs limp through the early part of the season, I can already hear mounting frustration and discontent from the realistic faction of the Leaf Nation. However, their anger isn’t all directed at the feet of the Leafs’ management and players. There are plenty of fingers being pointed the way of a rival faction inside the team’s own fan base. This adversary of the realistic fan is as much a part of the Leafs’ mediocrity as the board of governers itself. These are the delusional fans, who, no matter how poorly the team plays, will not say a word of critisism. They will continue to fill the ACC and spend their hard-earned money on overpriced jerseys, not realizing they are contributing to the Stanley Cup drought they want so badly to end; while at the same condemning the realistic fan if he or she shows any dissent. If you are one of these delusional fans, ask yourself this:”If you owned a business that was making record profits, why would you spend the money to improve it?” Now, it is a free country, and you have the right to be whatever kind of fan you choose to be. But, if you are part of this delusional group, you don’t have the right to lament on the lack of wins, you can only share in the blame.