Roger Clemens should pitch for the Astros this year
Yes, just yesterday (in the item below), we discussed why, if we were a baseball general manager, we wouldn't touch Barry Bonds.
Bonds, who will turn 44 in July, arguably has more in his tank than Clemens, who will turn 46 in August. But that's only mildly relevant in comparing the two scenarios.
The key difference is that Bonds, whom the Giants absolutely don't want to bring back, would be joining a new team, while Clemens would be rejoining a team with which he has a longstanding relationship. Clemens, along with his frenemy Andy Pettitte, lifted the Astros to unprecedented heights from 2004 through 2006. The owner, Drayton McLane, has a clear affection for him, as does the fan base.
I'd bet you a box of donuts that, if Clemens were to take the mound at Minute Maid Park, he'd receive a standing ovation. And it wouldn't be totally unjustified. Unquestionably, Clemens has behaved like a colossal you-know-what since the Mitchell Report came out. But it's even less disputable that Clemens was thrown to the Congressional wolves by the profoundly conflicted George Mitchel, who, according to Brian McNamee, was so happy when he firmed up the Clemens allegations that he looked like he wanted to hug the former personal trainer (McNamee's attorneys have said, since this Jon Heyman story came out, that there was no actual hug).
Fans protect their own. Look, what's more despicable, the Braves fans who embraced John Rocker after his disgusting views (lower in this story) were published? Or Astros fans who know that their boy is being targeted for something that so many did? It's not even close, in my mind.
And yes, to reiterate, Clemens has conducted himself like a pig in defending himself. But then again, if he wasn't defending himself at all, a la Bonds, we'd all be making fun of him, too, saying, "Roger, if you're not fighting these allegations, you're obvioulsly guilty."
Players generally like being Clemens' teammate, since he brings an enthusiasm and a desire to help youngsters. And there wouldn't be a huge media presence every day like there has been with Bonds, because Clemens obviously pitches just once every five days, at most.
The notion that Clemens is entirely done is a mere fallacy. Clemens pitched decently for the Yankees last year, and he'd surely have more success in the more navigable National League Central.
Clemens would surely rather pitch than sit around the house, and the Astros are going to stink, no matter what. Both sides would benefit from this reunion.
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Comments (37)
Hey Ken.
Clemens doesn't have the personality like Mark McGuire to softly disappear into oblivion; he believes he can still pitch. Let him return to the Astros or even St. Louis, where LaRussa could use a starting pitcher. Clemens would have to endure the fans' wrath in just about every city he pitched.
~H
Doesn't really matter, the only place Clemens will pitch this year is for his prison team!
I don't know, but I do think Clemens is kind of washed up. How much $$$ does he want to come back?? If its more than $1 million (which is too much anyway) then he needs to take a hike.
Saying that "the Astros are going to stink, no matter what" seems a little harsh, doesn't it? Their lineup is fine, it's the pitching that's the problem--adding Roger wouldn't make them a playoff lock, but I bet it'd put them squarely in the hunt. And yeah, if he wants to pitch in Houston, they should jump on that--good or bad, they're going to be associated with him no matter what, so why not get some quality starts out of it?
Clemens will look good in his striped uniform this year-Prison stripes, that is! Trading in the pinstripes for the prison stripes.
Now that Congress has asked the Justice Dept to probe into Clemens testimony before the House Committee, maybe he should plead innocent by reason of "misremembered" diminshed capacity.
Hey Ken
With what I just heard that Congress was referring the case to the Justice Dept. I think Roger will something else to do to occupy his time. All because he asked for the Congressional hearing as he thought he could get over on Congress. Now he can roam the halls of the Justice Dept. I agree with Howard though. He has the ego to try and pitch another year. But which team would want a major disruption? Oh, I know. Some owner would give him a try. There always is one.
Just to be clear guys, right now, Clemens' situation doesn't differ from that of Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada. Both are under investigation from the Department of Justice. Neither has been so much as indicted yet. So your fantasies of him being in prison any time soon are just those - fantasies.
Andrew, perhaps you're right about the 'Stros, but I didn't care very much for their winter moves (Lidge for Bourne, trading for Tejada and Valverde).
Clemens perjured himself, plain and simple. He will go to jail.
Not this year, Gary. Not this year. These things take longer than that. That's all I'm saying.
In the public court of opinion, Clemens is in jail already, and has been for some time.
Maybe if Clemens wasn't such a pompous, arrogant clown, I would have some sympathy for him, but he is, so I don't. Self-serving jerk.
Ken, see, this is what I don't get: WHY do you not like trading for a Willy Taveras type center-fielder, arguable one of, if not THE best closer in the game, and one of the more powerful shortstops in the game? Not to mention the power number Hunter Pence (30HR, 100RBIs) will put up behind Carlos Lee (40HR, 120RBIs), Lance Berkman (35HR, 115RBIs), and Tejada (17HR, 90RBIs). I don't see how this team is "going to stink." In fact, I will bet you that same box of donuts that the 'Stros make it to the playoffs by winning the NL Central. ESPECIALLY if they sign Roger.
Congress can parade and the media can promulgate all they want, nobody is going to jail.
Clemens can still be a very effective pitcher and he'd certainly help the Astros. Houston will be right there with Milwaukee, battling to keep up with Chicago.
Hey Gary,
What if Clemens is telling the truth? What if he never did take steroids or HGH and he's defending his name like every other person? Whether you've accused him or not does not make him guilty. What makes him guilty is when the gavel goes down on a ruling of perjury, which, if it happens, wont be for another year or two. Say that gavel comes down saying he is cleared of all charges: what will you say about this "pompous, arrogant clown...[and] self-serving jerk" then?
Wow... "pompous, arrogant clown...[and] self-serving jerk"... Judgemental are we? Guess your perfect in everyway. The man can pitch, and if he wants to come back for a reasonable price, then the Stros should sign him... I'll double that donut bet with you Ken. The Stros will win the wild card and make the playoffs, with or without Clemens....
Henry Waxman and Tom Davis are both pathetic and have been for a long time prior to today. Clemens isn't going to jail and I seriously doubt he will ever be charged. This is an example of how government, on every level, wastes our tax dollars. I don't know if Clemens is guilty or not, but I do know that Brian McNamee is one of the lowest forms of human life. Waxman and Davis should have asked the FBI to investigate what went on with McNamee down in Florida a few years ago.
If it wasn't obvious weeks ago it is now: Congress wanted Clemens to testify just so they could make the referral they did today. With all of the problems in this country, this is what these guys think is important. Incredible!!
Sorry to say, but all the evidence points to Clemens being guilty, whether you Clemens lovers like it or not. And yes, he is a pompous arrogant clown, guilty or not. He has always been that way, even before these newest allegations. As vain as they come.
As far as McNamee, he has yet to be found telling a lie about anything he has testified about. Everything he has said has been proven to be true to date. Just ask Andy Pettitte.
Gary, you are testing my patience. I made the simple point that Clemens won't be in jail this year, no matter what. It's irrelevant that "he is already in jail in the court of public opinion," as it is that he is a jerk, neither of which I am contending. Please don't respond to points that I am not making.
Jason H., Valverde was wildly inconsistent prior to last year. I'm not yet convinced that he'll maintain that elite status. Bourn could be good but has plenty to prove. I have heard positive reports on Tejada, so maybe you'll be right on that. But Miggy's defense has decreased considerably the past few years. You're on with that box of donuts bet, as are you, Tim.
Jim, make no mistake about Clemens: He wanted that Congressional hearing.
Brian McNamee was tripped up by Congress in the hearing when asked about WHEN he gave Clemens the injections, if you remember, Gary. And why would McNamee deny giving Clemens B12, when Clemens openly said he took it? If anything that would only help McNamee's case! Why do you automatically believe a guy who flops his story around, as opposed to the guy who has stuck with the same one the entire time? And does the fact that Clemens is trying to protect his name make him the "pompous, arrogant clown...[and] self-serving jerk" you say he is? Or is the 7 Cy Young awards, which if found not guilty, is a reason to be so?
Ken, I was not responding to you, but the other readers.
Jason H, the fact that Clemens has been a headhunter throughout his entire American League career, and then when he pitches in the National League where he has to come to bat, and suddenly finds his control, that is one of the reasons I believe him to be a clown. Among many other reasons (there isn't enough space here to list them all).
Oh, I know you are right on Clemens wanting the hearing, Ken. He was reacting with emotion. Congress is made up of much more cunning individuals. They played off that emotion and anger and happily complied, partly out of their "fuzzy feelings" for badly conflicted George Mitchell, the man who ended generations of fighting in Northern Ireland. I wonder if he could cure cancer, too, if he's asked? Congress knew Clemens was ripe for picking. I don't blame Clemens. I blame his lawyers for not being able to shut him up.
Gary, what about Pedro Martinez and his head-hunting days in the AL. He's found better control, too.
Yeah, but Pedro never threw a bat at someone, then said he thought it was the ball. Unless you are playing dodgeball, you don't throw the ball at the baserunner, do you? And I agree about Pedro headhunting. Two wrongs don't make a right, though.
And Jim, why is it that most of the other players have admitted their wrongdoings and moved on, but Clemens can't? Because that is the way he is. I actually think he is starting to believe his own lies! Stubborn and arrogant to the end.
I see where you're going with the headhunting because of any pitcher I've ever seen, he shoots for people's heads more than anyone I've ever seen. With the bat thing, so he had a temper, wah, everyone does.
I'm a native Houstonian, and have been to almost every game Clemens ever played in Houston as an Astro. I can recall 3 games in specific where he was EJECTED from the game for headhunting. That's in the NL.
Juan Marichal hit Johnny Roseboro over the head with a bat and he is now enshrined in the HOF. Roseboro wasn't wearing a helmet. He was taken away from the field bleeding profusely. He was suspended for nine games and fined $1,750. Nine games! Not nine starts! Go figure. Roger threw part of a bat on the ground in Piazza's direction. Certainly dumb, but not nearly as bad as dozens of other incidents (make that hundreds of incidents) in baseball history. One day all will be forgiven with Roger. You'll see.
Jim, maybe you "misremembered" those things about Clemens. But it's ok, you weren't under oath at the time.
Jim, what if that part of the bat had hit Piazza? And didn't that look a lot like 'roid rage to you?
Hey Jim does emotion make you lie? He wanted the meeting and then told lies in trying to defend himself as I stated in my first post above. In my opinion I'm sorry to say you would have to be delusional with all the inconsistencies in his story to say he was telling the truth. However as Ken says no one is going to jail.
As the saying goes, once a liar, always a liar.
I'm not defending Clemens. I am saying that if Clemens was lying it was emotion that made him testify when he should have kept his mouth shut. His lawyers should have been thinking a lot more clearly than he was.
I'm not going to start diagnosing 'roid rage, but if the bat hat hit Piazza a suspension would have been in order.
Hey Jim, I understand what you are saying however that lawyer unfortunately for Roger did exactly what Clemens wanted him to do.
You want a lightening rod? Let's see Roger and Barry BOTH play for Houston!
So when Debbie Clemens was getting those injections and Roger said he had no knowledge of it happening, do you Clemens defenders actually believe him on that? What world are you living in, because I want a ticket to that fantasy land!
If Roger Clemens is proven to have lied under oath during February's congressional hearings, should he go to jail?
Yes. You do the crime, you do the time (135 responses)
73.0%
I guess so, but I think this whole thing is a hokey witch hunt (12 responses)
6.5%
It depends on what he may have lied about (9 responses)
4.9%
No. This whole thing is a publicity stunt. They should focus on more important things (29 responses)
15.7%
185 total responses