As a fellow texan...I am going to be happy to see Roger pitch on a regular basis. I live 3 hours from Houston and I am already planning on taking my son to see him pitch several times this year.
Clemens is really a hired gun- great pitcher, seems like a good guy, but he really has no sense of team pride, which is why he "betrayed" the sox, mercenaried himself out to Toronto and NY, and is now off to Houston. Seems to love the game, at least.
<< <i>Clemens is really a hired gun- great pitcher, seems like a good guy, but he really has no sense of team pride, which is why he "betrayed" the sox, mercenaried himself out to Toronto and NY, and is now off to Houston. Seems to love the game, at least. >>
That's the nature of today's game. Although Houston is probably the only team he would have cancelled his retirement plans for. Since he plays close to home, it will be a semi-retirement. I think he was retiring to spend more time with his family. He obviously can still compete at a high level.
Ownership in Boston treated Clemens like crap. Duquette said at one point when Clemens was on his way of town that he had nothing left, he was done. Hmmm...good call Dan.
I wonder if he'll be on the "Nolan Ryan - Texas Plan" with Houston. If I recall, Ryan didn't make most of the road trips, and would do the bulk of his pitching at home. I suppose it was good for the fans, the team, and Ryan's family.
If I'm completely off-base, feel free to correct.
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Currently collecting.....your guess is as good as mine.
His last 2 years in Boston wern't productive and based on the contract that was offered, both parties felt it was time to move on. He won 2 more Cy's w/ Toronto and Toronto orchestrated the trade w/ NY for the return of Wells, and Bush and a reliever. Clemens had a great work ethic w/ the Yankees taking Pettitte and other pitchers under his wing, he had great pride wearing the pinstripes. And only local Houston could get him back out of retirement. His friend Pettitte just signed there and he has pride in the Lone Star State, was a Longhorn in college winning the title there, and would love to see Houston make it to the Series, which they have never done in their 40+ year history. I hope Houston excells and gets to the series. Just the fact that he has 5 Cy Youngs and over 300 wins & 4000K's, you may never see his kind again on a pitching mound...jay
I think he should be made to wear the astros cap when he gets inducted to the HOF. From what I have heard HE never betrayed the Sox, THEY blew it on keeping him.........plain and simple.
He could have had anything he wanted from Steinbrenner to remain in pinstripes another year, short of moving the Yankees to Texas. You have to wonder if he and Andy didn't cook this up a long time ago. At least as a back up plan if the Olympic thing wsn't gonna happen, and now that the US failed to qualify a team.........here we are. Sure it's great for Texans and all, but..... He went on and on about Yankee pride forthe past 5 years, as did Petitte..........Now this
I will have my little voo-doo dolls ready for opening day
edited in an attempt to make sense and agree with Jay
A "hired gun" is a guy who played for a grand total of 3 teams over a 20-year career? Gimme a break.... Babe Ruth played for three teams over his career and no one called him a mercenary (no, I'm not comparing Clemens to Ruth as players, and yes, I know Houston makes team #4 for Rocket....).
Three teams over 20 years would be a paradigm of stability for 90% of the players of his era.
As soon as I heard the news, I did a check to see if there was any instant boost on ebay. I imagine PSA 9 Fleers might be up over $300 by the season's start. But I did find this PSA 10 that sold last night. Is it just me, or is there some sort of yellowish haze over the right half of the card? I don't think it's a scanner issue as the flip is solid white all the way across.
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doc, if my voo-do works out............ his final year may be comparable to the Babe's however, I won't be surprised if both those traitors win 18 games.
MURCERFAN - I don't think he and Andy cooked this up in advance. Clemens retired after doing everything he set out to do, World Series winner, 300 wins & 4000K's. Andy wanted to pitch at home, and after a decade in NY, and after his finest season, he earned the right to make that decision. In this off-season, I think Roger got a bit ansy and bored knowing there was no more games to pitch, so the scenerio popped up in front of him. Fellow Texan and good friend Pettitte was in Houston and Roger thought he had enough in his arm to help lead them to the promised land. He never pitched in the NL, so now he can have a nice farewell, add mor #'s to his totals and see if he can bring a Texas team to the series, lord knows, the Rangers ain't going there this year...jay
nope. it's another grassy knoll Texan cowboy conspiracy.
and.... OH BOY! is the Boss ever pissed:
01/12/2004 3:41 PM ET Statement from George M. Steinbrenner
"Roger Clemens was a great warrior for the Yankees - a teacher and a leader. He told the world he was retiring and we had no choice but to believe him."
<< <i>Clemens is really a hired gun- great pitcher, seems like a good guy, but he really has no sense of team pride, which is why he "betrayed" the sox, mercenaried himself out to Toronto and NY, and is now off to Houston. >>
C'mon, murcerfan-- you Yankee fans should be the LAST ones to complain over a player jumping ship, whether it be for more money, changed plans for retirement, or whatever. You guys are still stocked, and I'm sure Ol' George will go out & replace Andy & Roger to keep you guys happy.
cubsfan done said: >> It will be interesting now because he will have to now come up to bat >> after he buzzes someone.
<< <i>I wonder if he'll be on the "Nolan Ryan - Texas Plan" with Houston. If I recall, Ryan didn't make most of the road trips, and would do the bulk of his pitching at home. I suppose it was good for the fans, the team, and Ryan's family.
If I'm completely off-base, feel free to correct. >>
That's exactly what Houston has said they plan to do with him.
I think it's a great move, if only to see George's reaction to it.
Part of the contract called for Roger's name being associated with the Astros for the next 10 years.
Interesting
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That article explains it all. Here is a key paragraph...
<< <i>Our concerns about Clemens deepened after the '92 campaign, when he signed a four-year, $20 million contract and took much of the next 3½ years off, almost like a professor who gets tenure and doesn't feel like grading papers anymore. Unveiling a historic double chin for the '93 season -- my father's favorite joke that spring was, "Would you like another slice, Roger?" -- Clemens battled arm problems and floundered to the first losing season of his career. He seemed more dedicated during the strike-shortened '94 season (9-7, 2.85 ERA); unfortunately, he stopped working out that winter and showed up for the post-strike spring training in '95 looking like he was auditioning for the "Chris Farley Story." >>
He was all done, Duquette was far from alone in his thinking. Clemens got angry enough to finally "work" again. I don't believe he does that if he stays in Boston.
Although Clemens is a bonafide HOFer, I have very little respect for the man. He's a notorious headhunter in the most obvious of ways, and tries to influence and intimidate umpires, all the while hiding behind the DH rule. Sure, others may fit into this catagory, but with Clemens it's so blatently obvious. And Torre's use (read non-use) of him during interleague play with the Mets awhile back was a total cop-out.
If Clemens can dish it out, then he should be willing to take it, just like Bob Gibson and Nolan Ryan did in their NL careers.
I'd like to see Clemens get a taste of his own medicine in the NL. Players talk, and my guess is NL hitters are every bit as weary and tired of his antics as those in the AL.
And if Clemens hits a broken-bat ball back to the pitcher, my guess is that the busted bat will stay put until the play is over. Roger??
I'm looking forward to seeing Clemens pitch again this year. I always enjoy watching players move up the all-time lists as they approach the end of their career. It's rare these days to see a pitcher breaking the top ten list in any catagory. Clemens is a real throwback to the old days; one of the last. It will be interesting to see if he continues to pitch up and in knowing he will have to face the heat in his next AB. If he does, I don't think anyone can still accuse him of hiding behind the DH.
I'm a Yankee fan, and I appreciate all that the Rocket has done for the team. I hope he does well and I wish him the best. His signing w/ Houston is unique, he didn;t do it for the money (his 1 year contract is for $5 million, much less then he made last year) he wanted to play in his home state w/ fellow Texan and good friend Pettitte. I would be a little miffed if he signed w/ Milwaukee or Kansas City, I hope he has a great season and perhaps the Astros & Yanks will meet in the World Series ...jay
God, I love Yankee fans. So what am I missing here-- is it that by virtue of your storied history, your legacy of championships, you have been ordained the right of first refusal on the talents of all MLB talents? Does the fact that Roger Clemens refused Steinbrenner's millions somehow upset the cosmic order of things? Five words, Yankee fans-- THE MAN CHANGED HIS MIND. He and Pettitte weren't 'planning' to defect to the Astro's, as I've heard some suggest, and he didn't use the claim to be retiring only so he could make a graceful exit from New York. He retired, then reconsidered after the Astros tendered him an attractive offer-- namely, to pitch in his home state, avec son ami Andy Pettitte.
And even if it was premeditated- so what? I wouldn't want to work for a jerk-off like Steinbrenner, and II doubt any of you would either, so cut the guy a break. Or at least shut about it. The Rocket helped bring you what-- three, four championships?- and now you-- or at least your press- thank him by offering up a string of vitriolic 128 pt. headlines, and by bashing him on talk radio? Totally graceless.
BTW, am I the only one who sees the deep irony in watching the fans of the Yankees- the team, might I add, which has profited immeasurably from the complete lack of team loyalty amongst today's MLBers-- stamp their feet and scream about the 'traitor' Clemens? What a classic. You couldn't make this stuff up if you tried.
I will not dispute that King George is the biggest jerk in the game right now but do you honestly believe that Pettite and Clemens never discussed this very scenario?
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<< <i>Clemens is really a hired gun- great pitcher, seems like a good guy, but he really has no sense of team pride, which is why he "betrayed" the sox, mercenaried himself out to Toronto and NY, and is now off to Houston. Seems to love the game, at least. >>
That's the nature of today's game. Although Houston is probably the only team he would have cancelled his retirement plans for. Since he plays close to home, it will be a semi-retirement. I think he was retiring to spend more time with his family. He obviously can still compete at a high level.
I wonder if he'll be on the "Nolan Ryan - Texas Plan" with Houston. If I recall, Ryan didn't make most of the road trips, and would do the bulk of his pitching at home. I suppose it was good for the fans, the team, and Ryan's family.
If I'm completely off-base, feel free to correct.
Currently collecting.....your guess is as good as mine.
He won 2 more Cy's w/ Toronto and Toronto orchestrated the trade w/ NY for the return of Wells, and Bush and a reliever. Clemens had a great work ethic w/ the Yankees taking Pettitte and other pitchers under his wing, he had great pride wearing the pinstripes.
And only local Houston could get him back out of retirement. His friend Pettitte just signed there and he has pride in the Lone Star State,
was a Longhorn in college winning the title there, and would love to see Houston make it to the Series, which they have never done in their 40+ year history. I hope Houston excells and gets to the series. Just the fact that he has 5 Cy Youngs and over 300 wins & 4000K's, you may never see his kind again on a pitching mound...jay
Website: http://www.qualitycards.com
From what I have heard HE never betrayed the Sox, THEY blew it on keeping him.........plain and simple.
He could have had anything he wanted from Steinbrenner to remain in pinstripes another year, short of moving the Yankees to Texas. You have to wonder if he and Andy didn't cook this up a long time ago. At least as a back up plan if the Olympic thing wsn't gonna happen, and now that the US failed to qualify a team.........here we are. Sure it's great for Texans and all, but.....
He went on and on about Yankee pride forthe past 5 years, as did Petitte..........Now this
I will have my little voo-doo dolls ready for opening day
edited in an attempt to make sense and agree with Jay
Three teams over 20 years would be a paradigm of stability for 90% of the players of his era.
2005 Origins Old Judge Brown #/20 and Black 1/1s, 2000 Ultimate Victory Gold #/25
2004 UD Legends Bake McBride autos & parallels, and 1974 Topps #601 PSA 9
Rare Grady Sizemore parallels, printing plates, autographs
Nothing on ebay
if my voo-do works out............ his final year may be comparable to the Babe's
however, I won't be surprised if both those traitors win 18 games.
Website: http://www.qualitycards.com
it's another grassy knoll Texan cowboy conspiracy.
and.... OH BOY! is the Boss ever pissed:
01/12/2004 3:41 PM ET
Statement from George M. Steinbrenner
"Roger Clemens was a great warrior for the Yankees - a teacher and a leader. He told the world he was retiring and we had no choice but to believe him."
<< <i>Clemens is really a hired gun- great pitcher, seems like a good guy, but he really has no sense of team pride, which is why he "betrayed" the sox, mercenaried himself out to Toronto and NY, and is now off to Houston. >>
That was Joe Stalinesque.
GO MARLINS! Home of the best fans in baseball!!
Skycap
over a player jumping ship, whether it be for more money, changed plans
for retirement, or whatever. You guys are still stocked, and I'm sure
Ol' George will go out & replace Andy & Roger to keep you guys happy.
cubsfan done said:
>> It will be interesting now because he will have to now come up to bat
>> after he buzzes someone.
Ahhhh, I hadn't thought about that. Good one!
<< <i>I wonder if he'll be on the "Nolan Ryan - Texas Plan" with Houston. If I recall, Ryan didn't make most of the road trips, and would do the bulk of his pitching at home. I suppose it was good for the fans, the team, and Ryan's family.
If I'm completely off-base, feel free to correct. >>
That's exactly what Houston has said they plan to do with him.
I think it's a great move, if only to see George's reaction to it.
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Interesting
Remember these Chuck Norris Facts
1. When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn't lifting himself up, he's pushing the Earth down
2. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, Chuck Norris can actually roundhouse kick you yesterday
3. There are no such things as lesbians, just women who have not yet met Chuck Norris
<< <i>Hmmm...good call Dan. >>
I believe the Bosox used the money freed up by not signing Clemens to pay Pedro Martinez. At worst a push.
Certainly not defending Dan D's treatment of Clemens, but he certainly did not cripple the Bosox future by not signing Clemens.
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Troy - isn't Lefty himself in second All time before some other pitcher who used to play for the Astros?
Collectable
That article explains it all. Here is a key paragraph...
<< <i>Our concerns about Clemens deepened after the '92 campaign, when he signed a four-year, $20 million contract and took much of the next 3½ years off, almost like a professor who gets tenure and doesn't feel like grading papers anymore. Unveiling a historic double chin for the '93 season -- my father's favorite joke that spring was, "Would you like another slice, Roger?" -- Clemens battled arm problems and floundered to the first losing season of his career. He seemed more dedicated during the strike-shortened '94 season (9-7, 2.85 ERA); unfortunately, he stopped working out that winter and showed up for the post-strike spring training in '95 looking like he was auditioning for the "Chris Farley Story." >>
He was all done, Duquette was far from alone in his thinking. Clemens got angry enough to finally "work" again. I don't believe he does that if he stays in Boston.
GO MARLINS! Home of the best fans in baseball!!
that's gross
edited: oh, you meant the vehicle. sorry!
If Clemens can dish it out, then he should be willing to take it, just like Bob Gibson and Nolan Ryan did in their NL careers.
I'd like to see Clemens get a taste of his own medicine in the NL. Players talk, and my guess is NL hitters are every bit as weary and tired of his antics as those in the AL.
And if Clemens hits a broken-bat ball back to the pitcher, my guess is that the busted bat will stay put until the play is over. Roger??
BOTR
His signing w/ Houston is unique, he didn;t do it for the money (his 1 year contract is for $5 million, much less then he made last year)
he wanted to play in his home state w/ fellow Texan and good friend Pettitte. I would be a little miffed if he signed w/ Milwaukee or Kansas City, I hope he has a great season and perhaps the Astros & Yanks will meet in the World Series ...jay
Website: http://www.qualitycards.com
And even if it was premeditated- so what? I wouldn't want to work for a jerk-off like Steinbrenner, and II doubt any of you would either, so cut the guy a break. Or at least shut about it. The Rocket helped bring you what-- three, four championships?- and now you-- or at least your press- thank him by offering up a string of vitriolic 128 pt. headlines, and by bashing him on talk radio? Totally graceless.
BTW, am I the only one who sees the deep irony in watching the fans of the Yankees- the team, might I add, which has profited immeasurably from the complete lack of team loyalty amongst today's MLBers-- stamp their feet and scream about the 'traitor' Clemens? What a classic. You couldn't make this stuff up if you tried.