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
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.
When Phil turned to me and said, 'Get your jersey and spikes on,' I knew he was dead serious. So we got to it, and I had to pick my spot to get out there in the bullpen. I don't really relish what those guys have to go through.
As soon as I climbed on the mound, I was lost a little bit, ... I knew I had to gather it up pretty quick and get through that.
There's a big part of my heart that's missing now with my mother gone, ... I knew I pitched for her, but I didn't realize how much I did that.
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.
All of these guys had great years, ... Obviously, I knew Jeff and he told me about his younger brother before. I've had the opportunity to talk with the J.P. and Wade as well. They all have a lot of character, will and desire.
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.
I've been trying to shut it down for two years and I still can't answer that now, ... I'm glad I left that percentage point open.
I've been doing enough work -- throwing and conditioning -- to get ready for what I'm going to do the next eight to 10 days, enough to train with Mac and the intensity he trains with. I broke a cleat off on this hard, red clay here in Florida, so that must mean I'm close to being ready.