Commentary: No middle ground here, someone is lying

CHICAGO – Either Roger Clemens is a filthy, stinking liar or Brian McNamee is.

There doesn’t seem to be much room for middle ground, for in between, for an opportunity to assess blame proportionately.

Somebody’s lying. Somebody is willing to stand before Congress and, under oath, treat the truth as if it were a cigarette in need of extinguishing.

The arrogance it would take to do that is breathtaking. It’s why my money’s on Clemens being the one grinding his heel into the truth. When has he given any indication he’s deficient in audacity? He will knock you down with a pitch or cut you down with a sneer – gladly, in both cases.

The battle between the two men got a little more interesting last week with the revelation that McNamee gave federal investigators syringes, vials of testosterone and bloody gauze pads he said he used on Clemens in 2000 and 2001. McNamee told officials he used the supplies while injecting steroids and human growth hormone into Clemens. He is Clemens’ former personal trainer.

According to one of McNamee’s layers, Richard Emery, McNamee kept the materials because “he got a sense that Roger was not trustworthy and would betray him ultimately. He said about himself that if he was going to get thrown under the bus by Roger, he was going to take Roger with him.”

Death-by-bus is never a pretty way to go.

Clemens’ representatives say the purported evidence is the work of a sleazy individual willing to do anything to avoid punishment. But if the Justice Department gets a court order for a DNA sample from Clemens, this little matter could be cleared up soon.

McNamee’s decision to keep alleged evidence from seven years ago is no sleazier than Clemens’ decision to tape a telephone conversation with McNamee and release it to the media.

So, yes, it’s getting down and dirty. Or farther down and further dirty. The two men will now take 10 paces and draw their syringes.

What we’re seeing is a jarring example of how far people will go to keep up appearances. Somebody is doing some industrial-strength lying here, even with the knowledge prison time looms for perjury.

Who has the most to lose? Clemens, by miles. If, for a moment, we take the liberty of assuming he’s lying, a natural question pops up: Are you out of your mind? You’re so concerned about your image, your reputation and your Hall of Fame enshrinement that you’re willing to risk 5 years in prison for lying to federal officials? You’re willing to take it this far to prop up a facade few people believe anyway?

Those who have a lot often are willing to go a long, long way to defend it.

McNamee’s motivation to lie doesn’t match Clemens’ motivation, but that doesn’t prove he’s telling the truth. Maybe he wanted notoriety or money or whatever inner propellant pushes people into the spotlight. Perhaps, as Clemens’ attorney said Thursday, he simply wants to destroy the seven-time Cy Young Award winner.

But right now, the needle seems to be pointing toward McNamee on the telling-the-truth meter.

One thing is clear, and it’s what parents tell children: Once you start lying, it’s hard to stop. One of the men has left a long trail of untruths.

There’s another potential lesson in this: If you’re using steroids, not only are you lacking integrity, you’re probably getting your supplies from a person whose mailing address is a gutter. You shouldn’t be surprised that someone would stockpile evidence in case of trouble ahead.

Both men met with congressional investigators this week in anticipation of Wednesday’s hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Clemens’ deposition lasted five hours, McNamee’s seven. Whichever guy is lying is either a master at it or truly deluded.

This is sliminess in full public view. It’s better than any reality show around, perhaps because it’s real. So don’t complain. The sports world has hit a lull, especially in these parts.

The Bulls are a big disappointment.

Illinois basketball is down.

The Bears are early into their offseason depression.

The Blackhawks have a long way to go to make up for years of neglect.

The Cubs and the White Sox haven’t started messing with us in earnest yet.

It’s February. We can warm our hands over the flames of this controversy for a while.