While I have the greatest respect for Roger Clemens’ accomplishments on the mound and the crazed level of intensity he brings to every start, the Rocket routinely gets a free pass from a love struck media. We were recently told by Buster Olney on ESPN News that Clemens was unlikely to insist on a trade given his idillic home life. Just last month, Buster gushed, Clemens attended one son’s high school baseball game, caddied 18 holes of golf for his wife in the afternoon, then went to another son’s ball game, shortly before throwing 7 shutout innings at Minute Maid Park (where, presumably, the offensively challenged Astros — burdened with Roger’s $18 million salary — scored zero runs for him).
Following this week’s amateur draft and the Astros’ decision to draft Clemens’ eldest son, Koby, Olney speculates that the possibility of forming the first ever father-son battery might keep the Rocket running for another few seasons, perhaps putting 400 career victories within reach. Never mind that Koby — committed to the University Of Texas next year as a pitcher —- would have to learn a new position. But hey, as long as the Houston franchise revolves around a 42 year old guy who puts on the uniform once every five days, anything is possible.
I’m still trying to select the most embarrassing factoid following Houston taking 2 of 3 from the Mets this week ;
a) that the Mets were beaten by a team packed with guys (Burke, Quintero, Self) who were toiling their trade in the PCL just a few weeks ago.
b) that New York lost a series to a club with just 4 road victories this season prior to Wednesday night
c) The Astros’ no. 3 hitter last night was Jose Vizcaino.
I’ve read one post-game summary this morning which focused on the lack of run support for Tom Glavine, as well as Carlos Beltran’s error in the 7th which lead to the Astros’ 2nd run of the game. The same article could’ve easily centered on the Mets starter’s inability to retire Brad Ausmus (a career 1 for 36 against Glavine prior to that at bat) later in the same inning, but why pick on Tom? If the Mets can guarantee brother Mike a spot on the 25 man roster, perhaps Glavine will stay active long enough to have a shot at his 280th career win.
(Olney, for whatever it is worth, predicts the Mets will pursue Lyle Overbay, Sean Casey or Adam Dunn and his Sharper Image massage chair).
University Of Texas C Taylor Teagarden (above) was drafted 99th by the Texas Rangers on Tuesday, shortly after putting the Longhorns on his back through a wild trio of consecutive wins in the NCAA regionals over a 24 hour span. Teagarden, considered by some to be amongst the top 20 prospects in the game, was probably available to the Rangers solely because his agent is (who else) Scott Boras.
While Koby Clemens actually comitted to UT as a third baseman. He just happened to also pitch in high school since he was effective at it. Roger Clemens is in an ideal situation for himself, and I can’t understand why you feel the media should berate him because of that. If anyone should be berated, it should be the Astros, but then again, they might also be in an ideal position for improving the future of the team as the trade deadline approaches.
Clark,
I stand corrected on the younger Clemens’ baseball plans and pledge to never again reprint what Buster Olney says without doing a bit of research.
That said, there might not be an “I” in team but there’s most certainly a “me” in Clemens. When he left the Red Sox, Roger was quick to cite what a great family atmosphere the Blue Jays provided for his kids, allowing them clubhouse access, etc. A couple of years later, he engineered a trade to powerhouse Yankees, at which point play time with kids was less important than jumping on the bandwagon and getting a ring.
Since receiving the biggest one-year pact in history, there’s been never ending speculation about Clemens’ next stop (speculation he’s been loathe to quash), given that he’s such a keen competitor he can’t stick around to watch the Astros go into the toilet.
I’d just like to see an end to the double standards. When Tom Hicks and the Rangers overpaid for Alex Rodriguez, we were reminded constantly that devoting that much of the team’s salary to one guy would make it difficult to field a competitive team — and at least A-Rod played every day and made every road trip. Drayton McLane was outbid for Carlos Beltran, but all too willing to make a 42 year old pitcher the face of the franchise.
From this comfy chair, it seems as though Clemens has built up a ridiculous amount of goodwill with everyone not named Piazza. When Griffey Jr.’s massage chair is taken away, we read all about it. When Manny Ramirez misses a game with the sniffles, we read all about it. Roger Clemens, however, is paid $18 million to pitch once every 5 days, can’t be bothered to travel with the team…and now a respected journalist (well, Buster Olney) claims the Astros wanna turn his P/3B son into a catcher in the hopes of motivating Daddy Dearest into extending his career. Enough already. It’s time for Houston to plan for a future that doesn’t revolve around a 42 year old part time player.
Do you think you could work a little harder at not disguising your hostility for Roger Clemens?
At this point he is arguably the greatest pitcher who ever lived – and pitching like it. He filled up Minute Maid Park Saturday night – and every time he pitches. Looks to me like the Astros made an excellent business decision in signing him. The extra $$ in ticket sales alone this season probably already has offset his salary.
If I were you, I’d go see him pitch while you can – and save your program and stub. My guess is you won’t have a similar opportunity again in your lifetime after The Rocket retires.
All your grousing about him is so much sour grapes.
Sincerely,
Mark Wernick
[email protected]
Mark,
would any Astros fans alarmed that their team couldn’t score a single run off the Pirates the last two days be “grousing”, or wouldn’t they be inclined to wonder if lavishing $18 million on a guy who takes the field once every 5 days is particularly smart given their club’s punchless lineup?
I’m glad you’re worried about Drayton McLane’s bottom line, and I hope you and the owner can console each other when the Astros miss out on the post-season.
here’s more sour grapes for you to suck on, buddy :
http://cstb.wpengine.com/index.php?p=2580
“hostility”? Hey, I was the one who posed the question “Is Roger Clemens merely the greatest competitor of all time, or just the finest human being who ever walked the earth?” To reiterate from my opening stanza above “whle I have the greatest respect for Roger Clemens’ accomplishments on the mound and the crazed level of intensity he brings to every start, the Rocket routinely gets a free pass from a love struck media.” Love struck fans, too, apparently.
the greatest pitcher who ever lived? Quite possibly. Though I don’t know how we can quantify all of those pitchers who _haven’t_ lived. The unborn, for instance.
I’ve been a ticket holder for each one of the Rocket’s stops on his world tour — Boston, Toronto, New York, and Houston, and when he’s not getting his ass thrown out of playoff games against the A’s or trying to murder Mike Piazza, the guy is absolutely amazing. Much the way Barry Bonds is an absolute marvel, come to think of it.
But we can agree on one point — I won’t have an opportunity to see Roger Clemens pitch after he retires. Move over Jim Murray, Dick Young and Rod Beaton, Mark Wernick absolutely SLAYS.