McNamee on D&C: Clemens 'ego-driven'

Former Roger Clemens trainer Brian McNamee joined the Dennis & Callahan show Wednesday morning to discuss Clemens' comeback and baseball's continued problems with performance-enhancing drugs.

McNamee said he didn't watch his ex-friend/current adversary's minor league appearance Saturday night, but he thinks he knows the reason for the 50-year-old's return to baseball.

"I think it's ego-driven," McNamee said. "Right of the top, I think you guys should bring the popcorn, because that circus isn't going anywhere soon."

That said, McNamee wouldn't be shocked if Clemens was able to pitch an inning in the majors this season.

"I think -- and I teach it every day -- I think if you can throw strikes, add and subtract [speeds], anybody can get anybody out at any level, at any age," McNamee said. "He didn't look in great shape, but I didn't really watch [Saturday's game]. I only saw him in suits. I don't know what kind of condition he's in."

Added McNamee: "Maybe as a one-inning guy, yeah. If you can locate, and add and subtract off your fastball -- whether you're throwing 80 or 90, it doesn't matter -- you can still get guys out."

Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera and A's pitcher Bartolo Colon were suspended this month after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. McNamee said he's convinced baseball still has a serious problem.

"I do, and I'm not being naive about it," he said. "I do, I believe that there's a lot of it going on. I read a lot of stuff about what [former BALCO president Victor] Conte has been saying in the papers. And I believe a lot of what he's saying is true. In my own professional, in my background, in my opinion, yeah, I think guys are circumventing the system. You have to be an idiot not to think guys aren't still taking it, just at a rate that goes undetected.

"It's very, very, very easy to -- you guys can take a testosterone shot right now and pass the test tomorrow. It's really simple. … The science is always ahead of the test. It really is."

Added McNamee: "And that's in every sport. Whenever there's money, that type of money around -- there's more money in cheating than there is in doing it clean."

To hear the interview, go to the Dennis & Callahan audio on demand page [1].