Rob Neyer on Clemens:

Was anybody just a little put off by Roger Clemens last night? He acquitted himself on the mound quite well, once the first inning finally ended. I'm talking about the interview with Clemens that aired, in bits and pieces, before and during the game. At one point, Clemens (in a separate spot) was described -- and this is an exact quote -- as "a phenomenal human being."

Taken literally, I'm sure that's true. There aren't many human beings who can do what Clemens can do. But in our common vernacular, isn't "phenomenal human being" generally reserved for human beings who do something a bit more selfless than devote themselves to throwing a ball in exchange for vast sums of money? Wouldn't "phenomenal athlete/capitalist" be a bit more accurate, and leave "phenomenal human being" for beings who might deserve it, like inner-city schoolteachers or Peace Corps volunteers or overpaid baseball writers?

OK, maybe not that last one. But you get the point.

What really bothered me wasn't that, exactly. What really bothered me was that a few minutes later, Clemens was shown talking about how much it bothers him that other pitchers aren't willing to do all the incredibly hard work that he's done. Maybe this part of the interview was left on the cutting room floor, but does Clemens ever feel blessed for having been born with a rear end the size and strength of Texas and a lightning bolt in his right arm?

Don't get me wrong, I respect Clemens for all the work he's put into his craft, and as I've written in this space, I think he's the greatest pitcher since Tom Seaver (at least). But hey, Rocket, how about a little humility? Is that so much to ask?

(P.S. After the game, Clemens said more obnoxious things about how great he is.)