Blue Jays: Roger Clemens Accuses Roy Halladay of Using Amphetamines
By Paul Taylor
Roger Clemens has hit back at comments made by Roy Halladay, saying the former Toronto Blue Jays star pitcher was accused of using amphetamines.
As Major League Baseball celebrates Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza being voted into the Hall of Fame, the Toronto Blue Jays have found themselves involved in a less savory story. We shouldn’t be surprised to hear that it includes one Rogers Clemens.
More from Toronto Blue Jays
- Blue Jays avoid disaster as Kevin Gausman injury not serious
- Blue Jays interested in outfielder Andrew Benintendi
- Blue Jays hope fresh start for Sergio Romo boosts bullpen
- Blue Jays need to have a break from Yusei Kikuchi
- Blue Jays: Nate Pearson suffers yet another setback
As reported by Brandon Wile of The Score, Clemens has essentially accused former Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay of using amphetamines. It seems that if Clemens is going to continue to have his reputation tarnished, he’s going to drag as many people as possible through the mud with him.
The trouble started in the leadup to Wednesday’s announcement of who was going to be voted into the Hall of Fame. Halladay stated that Clemens and Barry Bonds did not belong in Cooperstown, due to their alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.
On the surface at least, this sounds like a fair assessment. In that respect, even Clemens seems to have accepted that he will likely never get into the Hall of Fame.
Speaking to Fox Sports Director Mark Berman, the former Boston Red Sox first round draft pick said: “I will say thank you again to those who took time to vote. I have distanced myself from the subject and have moved on.”
However, it was what Clemens said next, that caught everyone off-guard: “Having said that, what is disheartening is getting a call or text from family or friends about an ill-informed player making an asinine statement. The latest coming from a former Blue Jays pitcher.
“Just to enlighten (Halladay), he was accused of using amphetamines by the ‘strength coach.’ You should be very careful when putting tweets out while not having your facts on the matter at hand.”
The question is, when would this incident have taken place? Given that Clemens and Halladay were only teammates for a short time during the 1998 season, this time period would appear to make most sense.
Going on that premise, what’s fascinating about the claim is that the Blue Jays strength and conditioning coach at the time was Brian McNamee. This would be the same Brian McNamee who testified in court that he had injected Clemens with steroids “about eight to 10 times” during the 1998 season.
McNamee’s testimony came as a result of the seven-time Cy Young winner being accused of lying under oath to Congress in 2008. However, Clemens was ultimately found not guilty of all charges in the government’s perjury case against him.
This is the first time Halladay has been linked with using illegal substances (although it is worth noting they were legal at the time of the alleged accusation). You would imagine someone within the Toronto media will reach out to McNamee at some point, in an attempt to get some clarification.
As things stand, Halladay seems to be a lock for the hall, once he becomes eligible in 2019. However, if this story has any legs, it will be interesting to see what impact it has on his chances, and indeed his legacy.
Next: Arnold Leon brings little to the Blue Jays
What do you think of Roger Clemens’ claim against Roy Halladay? Let us know in the comments section below.