Roger Clemens is returning to Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, he’s back with the Astros and not the Yankees as some had speculated earlier this year.
HOUSTON — Roger Clemens has agreed to a $22 million contract to pitch for the Houston Astros for the rest of 2006.
The 43-year-old Clemens, who will be entering his 23rd major league season, is agreeing first to a minor league contract that pays $322,000 over the five-month minor league season, and his first start is likely to be at Lexington, Ky., the Class A team where his oldest son, Koby, plays.
The return to Houston is not a complete surprise. Clemens lives there and his family is there, and that’s the main reason he signed with Houston after retiring two years ago. It also helps that one of this closest friends, Andy Pettite (another pitcher George Steinbrenner was a fool to let leave, but that’s another story) also plays in Houston. And I’m sure the money helps.
He may not be in pinstripes, but its good to see one of the greatest pitchers ever to play the game back on the mound.
June 1st, 2006 at 9:17 am
but its good to see one of the greatest pitchers ever to play the game back on the mound.
Is it? Is his game going to be up to snuff, or is he going to embarrass himself, and just doesn’t know when to quit?
I realize that baseball isn’t quite the young man’s game that football or basketball is, but sometimes you need to know when it’s time to hang up your spurs. This reminds me of the Michael Jordan retired/not retired hoopla. When he started playing for the Wizards, he was still a good player, but he could no longer be the dominant force that he was remembered as.
If Clemens still has what it takes, more power to him. But if not, he might be tarnishing his legacy by hanging on too long.
June 1st, 2006 at 1:08 pm
Brad,
Clemens coming back yet again reminds me alot of Nolan Ryan.
I hear what you’re saying. Heck, I had doubts about Clemens when the Yankees signed him way back when, but he managed to prove himself pretty well up to the task. And, his first season with the Astros was one of the best he’s ever had.
I don’t know if he can do it either, but it will be interesting to watch
June 1st, 2006 at 10:34 pm
It’s a shame he didn’t return to beantown, where he started. I heard they pulled the heart strings with a video, etc. It’s rough up there and it’s far far away from home. He’s got his heart in the right place, near home. Even with the new owners, it wasn’t enough, he made the right decision.
I don’t care if his ERA is 8.0. It’ll be a pleasure to watch him again.
June 2nd, 2006 at 12:15 am
Kevin,
As a life long Yankee fan, I can’t say I’d be happy to see him return to Boston. Heck, it took me a year or so to get used to the idea of Roger Clemens in pinstripes.
I agree, though, that he made the right decision. And I rooted for him when he came back from retirement and won his seventh Cy Young Award in 2004. Maybe he’ll finally pitch the no-hitter that’s eluded him all these years.