Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens, nicknamed "Rocket", is a retired American baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseballfor four teams. Clemens was one of the most dominant pitchers in major league history, tallying 354 wins, a 3.12 earned run average, and 4,672 strikeouts, the third-most all time. An 11-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, he won seven Cy Young Awards during his career, the most of any pitcher in history. Clemens was known for his fierce competitive nature...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBaseball Player
Date of Birth4 August 1962
CityDayton, OH
CountryUnited States of America
My legs felt fine, ... I still need to get a little more strength in my lower half, but I think Jim Hickey, our pitching coach, and the skipper were happy with the way I was getting out over my front leg. So it makes a big difference; without the burning sensation in my leg, it was a lot nicer. My control was still off, and I think that was what was aggravating me a little early.
I felt fine. It was nice to get everything underway. It was neat getting back out there, seeing the fans and getting into a baseball atmosphere.
I ponder to myself, ... this could be my last couple of starts, or the last one. It was a real hard decision for me to continue to play because I felt I had touched just about every aspect of this game that I could. I never want to look back. I want to make sure that I put all my energy, all of my efforts into this game.
You knew when it got late, Phil looked at me, ... There's been three or four times throughout the year he asked me how I felt I was swinging the bat or if got my spikes handy. I didn't think he was serious, and he probably wasn't. But the look that he gave me this time was very serious, and there was no kidding about it. And so I got out to the bullpen.
I'm sure we'll probably be an underdog. But we've been that before.
I'm sure they could hide me in the outfield. Why not?
I'm sure proud of the guys. It's been a lot of work for us. How 'bout the kid?
I mean, in games like this, it's as important to focus on making pitches. Today I made pitches, quite a few more pitches than I made the other night,
I mean, I'm 43. I can use that as an excuse, can't I?
I know the throwing part of it was fine, and I appreciate the guys letting me get out there and do this. Once we knew we'd be doing the World Game stuff, we talked to (Major League Baseball and got their approval), and it's a nice situation to get out there and get some work done.
I knew when the skipper looked at me and said, 'Put your things on,' he wasn't kidding. So I went out to the bullpen.
I'm looking forward to the next couple weeks. I'm glad they asked me to be a part of this and I'm glad my body responded well enough. I'm here and I'm thankful for it.
The ball was coming out of my hand nice. It's going to make my mind a little more at ease getting ready to head out on this trip.
That is one job I don't want, just sitting out there all alone in the bullpen chewing gum and looking around. That is not a lot of fun. I'm just real happy that we are moving on.