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
Ever since I've come home to pitch my job has been more than just about pitching. But I still recognize that's the most important thing, to go out there and win.
Teams were playing us tough anyway, but maybe more so after we got back in the race. The guys persevered, and this makes that trip back home a whole lot easier.
I worry more about the man's health than I do about him hitting home runs or whatever this witch hunt we're on.
I didn't want to come home to wave and tip my cap and just be there,
Then when the conversation is over and you walk away and you get home that night or you had dinner after you had the chance to meet him and talked to him, it's something that you never forget.
I was just sitting back and letting him enjoy it over there, ... I mean, what else can you do? It was a very hittable pitch. Guys on this level, whether they're 21 or 41, are going to hit that. And he took advantage of it. I've given up some home runs, I'm sure, in my career. But it was probably pretty exciting for that kid.
I'm going to kick back and watch some baseball. I'm not ready to commit. Even being at home and pitching in Houston was a tough grind. ... Right now, I'm not interested in getting in there and locking in on this. If it works out and I can just fade away, that's what's going to happen.
It's pretty simple, the way I look at it. I became a Hall of Famer here (in New York), with my numbers here and what I've done here, and hopefully three-hundred will be another big part of that. When (former Red Sox general manager Dan) Duquette said that I was done, if I'd have taken his advice and went home, I wouldn't have been a Hall of Famer. So it's a no-brainer. It's definitely pretty easy. Reggie (Jackson) spent five years here, and this will be five for me.
I've been very fortunate. I feel very thankful. I've been able to come home and do some fun things and make it exciting for people here at home
We tried to encourage him on many occasions to come out and work with us. He was a big-bodied kid. It was a lot of fun when he started showing up in the mornings, working with us. We had fun and got to know him better.
We were like two tired old men walking out of the tunnel, and then we were like two kids having a good time. We were holding each other up.
When I step away from the game, our game is in good hands. We have some good, young talented players, everyday guys, and definitely pitchers. He's right there at the top of the list. You feel you pass the baton along to the next generation of guys. I think the fans out here will enjoy this kid for a long time.
I've never really been nervous at all in my playoff experiences,
It was worth the wait. This is for the city. This is for our fans at home.