2 Versions of Bob Hope Classic Clemens' participation

First, from the Desert Sun, 1/7/08

• *Referencing the original hearing date as "Jan. 16, the same day as the first round of the Hope...

“He withdrew today,” said Hope tournament director Mike Milthorpe. “But what we did was we sent an e-mail to his people to say that if he testifies on Wednesday, and he’s still interested in playing, he could get on a plane and play Thursday, Friday and Saturday.”

• Milthorpe said the possibility of a Clemens withdrawal was apparent since the oversight committee announced last week it wanted to talk to Clemens...

Milthorpe said Clemens, a two-time winner of the Hope pro-am tournament with a variety of partners, won’t automatically be replaced in the field." ***********************

• Then from the George Mitchell Gazette, aka The NY Times, 1/11/08 (end of article)

"TYLER KEPNER- NO GOLF FOR CLEMENS Roger Clemens, a frequent participant and two-time winner of the amateur portion of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, declined an invitation to next week’s 49th playing of the event.

• Clemens withdrew from the tournament Monday.

Tournament officials had asked Clemens to reconsider in light of Wednesday’s postponement of a Jan. 16 Congressional hearing on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, at which Clemens was to testify.

• Clemens said again Thursday that he would not play."

From the NY Times version, I thought the tournament officials had asked Clemens to opt out. After reading it several times, I see it's possible they were asking him to opt back in. In the Desert Sun's version above, you never had to wonder. They wanted Roger to play. Of course, he won't be playing now, but I noticed the different reporting styles.(sm)

Tweet Stumbleupon StumbleUpon