Former seven-time Cy Young award winner and Astros star pitcher Roger Clemens has never been more pleased with a walk.  A jury found Clemens not guilty on all six counts against him in his federal perjury case, bringing to a close a 10-week trial and two-and-a-half days of deliberations.  Clemens, 49, was accused of lying at a 2008 Congressional hearing when he testified that he never used steroids or performance-enhancing drugs. 

The government's key witness in the case was Clemens' former personal trainer Brian McNamee, who testified that he personally injected Clemens with human growth hormone several years ago.  That testimony was counteracted by Clemens' wife, who testified on the pitcher's behalf.  Outside the courtroom after the verdict was announced, an emotional Clemens only expressed gratitude toward his family.  "It's been a hard five years, and they've been great standing by dad, my wife has been a rock, and all of our family at home in Houston has been great."

The failure represents a major strikeout for the government, which failed in each of its attempts to try Clemens.  His first perjury trial last summer was declared a mistrial after only a few days when prosecutors introduced improper evidence.  "It's a day of celebration for us," said Clemens' Houston-based defense attorney Rusty Hardin outside the courthouse.  "Justice won out."