Opinion

Dan O'Dowd has a lot to think about this offseason. With roughly 40 games to go, the preseason baseball darlings, those dark horse Colorado Rockies were touted by many to be World Series contenders, instead find themselves 11 games out of the division lead and trailing Philadelphia by six games for the Wild Card.

What went wrong this year?

After losing four games in a row, Rangers fans are fearing the worst. It's all too familiar of a scenario for a Rangers fan. The trend usually involves the Rangers battling for first place until around the All-Star break, and then a slow and painful collapse ensues.

Roger Clemens' indictment might signal the beginning of the end for the Rocket.

Quite frankly, the only thing most people have to say is, "Why?"

Why couldn't Clemens just admit he was wrong like Andy Pettitte and Alex Rodriguez? Why couldn't he just take it like a man and let the truth humble him just a little bit?

Simply put, Clemens couldn't or wouldn't because he has a God complex unlike many we have ever seen.

Of course, that complex is also part of what made him so great as a player.

The great Roman orator and senator Cicero famously noted in 44 BC that those who wish to function in government and watch over the affairs of the public should remember two things.

What exactly was Roger Clemens thinking when he testified and told a fib to Congress in Capital Hill? As much as we want to believe that the Steroid Era has suddenly vanished, we’ll never forget all his rehearsed and inglorious lies, inexplicably and simply covering the truth and denied confessing of his wrongdoings.

Roger Clemens flatly denied allegations of HGH or steroid use on Twitter yesterday after news was released of his impending indictment for lying to Congress.

"I never took HGH or Steroids. And I did not lie to Congress. I look forward to challenging the Governments accusations, and hope people will keep an open mind until trial. I appreciate all the support I have been getting. I am happy to finally have my day in court," said the Rocket.

When the Colorado Rockies fired their manager Clint Hurdle last season, the Rockies were 18-28, and had lost seven of their last 10. The Rockies named Jim Tracy as interim manager and he "turned around" the Rockies, guiding the team to a 74-42 record (.638) the rest of the way and into the 2009 NL playoffs.

Just when I think I've heard it all, this story comes down the pike.

The San Diego Padres are in the middle of a pennant race in the National League's Western Division, leading by six games over the San Francisco Giants with just over a month to go.

You'd think the last thing they'd want to do is affect their home field, or stadium, in any way during said pennant race. Unfortunately, you'd be wrong.

Roger Clemens was indicted on federal perjury charges yesterday.  Since, and even before his retirement, rumors swirled that one of the best right handed pitchers of all-time had been a user of performance enhancing drugs.  The numbers are there for induction to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, but should the rumors of steroid use axe his chance at baseball immortality?  Let's look at the numbers.

As a Pittsburgh Pirates fan myself, the last thing I want to do is throw a wet towel on a great week.

With the signings of Jameson Taillon, Stetson Allie, and Luis Heredia, the Pirates have added three power arms.

They signed the best American high school arm, arguably the second best American arm, and the top international arm of 2010.

For a team like the Pirates, this is a major step in the right direction. Every year they get slammed for not spending money at any level.