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Posts tagged RogerClemens at Sports Blog - The FanHouse

Posts tagged RogerClemens at Sports Blog - The FanHouse
Ram Stone  |  by sports.aol.com. All rights reserved. 1.06 | 21:22

It's easy to slag on the Rocket, what with him taking a bajillion dollars from George Steinbrenner to try to rescue the sinking ship that is the Yankees' 2007 season. But before we criticize the man, let's think of all the positive things he's done. Like.

.. teaching kids about the dangers of chewing tobacco.

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Posted May 30th 2007 5:25PM by
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Joe TorreIt looks like Roger Clemens won't be making his season debut against the Red Sox after all, as Yankees manager Joe Torre revealed last night that he anticipates The Rocket making his first start of the season on Monday against the White Sox this coming Monday.

From the :

"I'm not disappointed that he's not pitching at Fenway," Torre told reporters last night in Toronto. "I don't think that series needs any more hype than it gets every time we play it, whether it's in Fenway or at the Stadium.

"You'd obviously be tempted if you had a kid pitching and you can replace him with Roger Clemens.

When you have Wang, Moose, and Andy, there's really not the temptation to do that."

Torre said he preferred to wait to talk to Clemens personally before committing to the Chicago date.

As an impartial observer (I root against both teams now and again .

..), I'm a little disappointed with the announcement, since I was rooting for Clemens getting lit up at Fenway Park just to witness the collective teeth-gnashing and desperate wailing of Yankees fans.

And besides, even if he had pitched well against them, at least it would be over and done with during the weekend. Now, we'll have to bear excessive highlights of the weekend series followed by even more highlights of his debut on Monday.

I'm also left to wonder, what is Torre's true motivation?

Was it really the hype factor? Because the team didn't seem too concerned about that before. Does Clemens need an extra day, or was Torre actually worried that Clemens' stuff in his first game of the year wouldn't be up to par against Boston's offense?

Unfortunately for Clemens, if he started Monday's game he'd likely be matching up with Jon Garland, the White Sox's best starting pitcher so far this year, so it's not like things will get too much easier by waiting.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

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Posted May 28th 2007 8:08PM by
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Since the , Roger Clemens has been less than impressive. He hasn't been awful, either, but it's going to take a lot more than his first two minor league starts to raise the Yankees out of their dire situation.

Today, Clemens showed that he might be ready.

, which no doubt made exceedingly happy.

The Rocket only allowed two hits and walked two in the game, and never allowed more than one runner in any of the six innings. He had six strikeouts in the win.



Obviously, this is good news for the Yankees, as they need help and need it now. Whether Clemens' addition will be enough to prevent the Good Ship Steinbrenner from sinking any further, well, that's doubtful.

Previously on the FanHouse:

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Posted May 25th 2007 11:12PM by
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If you're anything like me, you feel like the baseball world is a little less complete without Pedro Martinez around. Whether it be his hair, his mouth or the he brought around with him a few years back, he's got those quirks that make him undeniably likable character.



With his return from , Pedro made an appearance in the .

"Hello. Hello everybody.

Hello," a grinning Martinez said as he worked the room. Then he headed for locker No. 45 and put on his uniform.



"It's always good to see Petey," manager Willie Randolph said. "Hopefully he'll be back sooner than later."

He had some words about Roger Clemens too.

"I saw Roger pitch the other day," Martinez said. "Without a doubt I can do that, and probably even better. At this point I could probably throw as hard or maybe harder.

I feel like I'm in better condition. Roger doesn't seem to be like he's supposed to be -- the Roger I'm used to seeing, that's not him. I can respect that, because it's so early.

"

To recap: Willie Randolph calls Pedro "Petey" and Martinez knows he's at least at Roger's level, probably even better. Discuss amongst yourselves.

Previously At FanHouse:
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Posted May 24th 2007 10:15PM by
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Before his Wednesday start with Trenton, Clemens had a decent shot of making it up to the majors if everything looked good and ready to go.

Well, four walks, six hits, and five innings later, Clemens won't get to the pinstripes quite yet.

before he comes up and gets in the Big Show.

With that in mind, I'd like to advance a wild theory -- similar to my wild theory about The Sopranos that Sylvio is going to kill Tony -- about Clemens. What if Clemens isn't any good?

Not terrible, of course, but just, you know, decent. What if he comes out and throws just above league average, no different from any pitcher the Yanks could have called up or traded for?

Not only would it be funny, it would serve as the ultimate punctuation to the Yankees' season thus far.

If not even a ridiculous four-month contract for a supposed savior can dig them out of their hole -- and, considering where they are right now, that's not so farfetched -- the ability for players to dictate contract terms like Clemens will diminish greatly.

Also, it would be really funny. That can't be understated.


Previously on the FanHouse:

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Posted May 22nd 2007 1:20PM by
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Roger ClemensRoger Clemens is scheduled to take the mound tomorrow for Double-A Trenton.

If everything goes well and he feels good afterward, it's possible (and of the Yankee variety, not the casual button-up shirt like on the right):

"It will be his last if he says it is," Torre said of Clemens, who will be making his second minor-league outing since signing with the Yankees. ..

.

Barring injury, the 44-year-old Clemens will start for the Yankees in Toronto next week. If they keep him on four days' rest, that would be Monday.

But Andy Pettitte starts against the Red Sox tomorrow night and Monday would be his day.

That's damn impressive. I know he's been working out on his own even before he signed with the Yankees a couple of weeks ago, but if a 44-year-old man doesn't need such a long and drawn-out exhibition season to get ready, it makes you wonder if all those younger players really do.

And even if Pettitte needs to get bumped to keep the Rocket on regular rest, well, I'm sure for them to work something out.

Previously on FanHouse:

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Posted May 21st 2007 9:54AM by
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When I was 8 years old, in the summer of 1984, I visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the first time. John Madden was there, too, taping a segment for CBS. And in an act of generosity that will always make me a Madden fan, he invited me, my family, and other people hanging around the Hall of Fame to step aboard his bus.

The bus was a thing of beauty, with two full-time drivers, a bedroom, bathroom and two TVs with those new-fangled VCR things so Madden could watch game tape on the road.

I bring this up today because it turns out that all these years later, Madden is still generous with his bus. A notes that Roger Clemens is with the Yankees in New York today and will get a special ride to his next minor league start:

Clemens, who will pitch at Double-A Trenton on Wednesday, has secured an unusual way of traveling from Manhattan to New Jersey's capital: He and organizational pitching guru Billy Connors will board John Madden's customized bus.


I'm sure Clemens will have a nice ride, and if he's in the mood for some TV, I'm guessing that Madden has upgraded from VCR to DVD.
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Posted May 21st 2007 9:15AM by
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Well it must be late in May, and the Red Sox must be in first place because all I keep hearing about is the fact that the Yankees are thinking about firing . It's not exactly anything new to be hearing these rumors during the spring. It's like a rite of passage in the Bronx.



George Steinbrenner put out a statement this weekend that he would not make a statement on Torre's job security until after the Yankees conclude their upcoming series with the Red Sox. Allow me to sit back and admire the fact that loves himself so much that he feels the need to issue a statement saying that he's not ready to make a statement yet for a moment before I get to my point.

Man, that's some good egomania.



Anyway, the difference this time around in the Fire Joe Torre rumblings is that for the first time ever, I think they might be right. Maybe it is time to get rid of Joe Torre.

I never thought I would really think that because frankly, if there's a manager in the game of baseball right now whom I think has earned the Joe Paternoesque right to coach however the hell long he wants to, it's Joe Torre.

I don't think I need to go into the man's track record as manager of the New York Yankees. The rings on his fingers say it all.

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Posted May 17th 2007 5:21PM by
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I guess when your team is nine games out of first place in May and struggling to stay out of the AL East basement, you get a little grouchy. Kyle Farnsworth spoke out on Chicago's "The Score" radio station this morning, criticizing the deal that will allow Clemens to go home between starts and not go on road trips that he isn't scheduled to pitch, all the while carting wheelbarrows full of Yankee money to his vault.


"Granted this is going to be his 23rd or 24th year and he can get the opportunity to do that, but still, I think if you're going to be part of the team you should be there always"
"You win as a team, you lose as a team...

I respect what he's done and I respect him as a person and a player but to be a part of the team you have to be there with the team." Posted May 17th 2007 9:00AM by
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Seeing the news that from making his first minor league start with the Yankees makes me more and more upset. It makes me upset that the Red Sox just gave up -- let the Yankees have him. They gave a courtesy offer to Clemens, and let the Yankees walk away with the prize.

The Red Sox could have pulled the trigger just like they did with Dice K, and they would've left the Yankees dead in the water. See, the sputtering Yanks were struggling immensely (and still are). Steinbrenner panicked and gave Cashman the green light to drop some serious cash in the lap of Clemens.

Now, with a healthy rotation, the Yankees will have Chien-Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina, Phil Hughes, and Roger Clemens. Tell me you wouldn't take that over Curt Schilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield, and Julian Tavarez.

I won't buy any of the excuses.

I won't settle for the cocky boasting by Red Sox fans. I've heard it all. Julian Tavarez wanted everyone to know that the .

Baseball experts told you that the Red Sox were already in first by a far margin and there was no need for Clemens. Let me tell you something -- that's horrible logic. See, every player Boston adds, it does so by subtracting from the Yankees.

Whether Clemens is worth the money or not is irrelevant; all that matters is that Boston could have kept the Yankees from getting him. There was only one arm out there that could have helped the Yankees close the gap between themselves and the Red Sox -- the right arm belonging to Roger Clemens. And now they have it.

And now they are only a few weeks away from seriously contending with Boston, and making a run at the playoffs.

Mark my words, the Yankees will make the playoffs, and Roger Clemens will play a serious role in them getting there. But could you imagine how devastating the Red Sox would have been with The Rocket?

Schilling, Clemens, Beckett, and Dice K in the playoffs? Could it get any better? Do you see my point here?

I don't care how much it would've cost to outspend the Yankees -- the Red Sox had a serious chance to deliver a lasting knock out punch to the Yankees, one that would've set the Evil Empire back for years to come. One that would sent all of New York in turmoil. If there was ever a move worth going into debt over, it was for Boston to sign Roger Clemens for one year, pay that $30 million, and see the Yankees fail.



Previously at FanHouse:


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Posted May 16th 2007 12:22PM by
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Roger ClemensJust in case you weren't convinced that the media is just as excited about ' return as the Yankees are, consider this: even the earliest of the early stages of :
ESPN confirmed rumors last night that it is planning to broadcast the Rocket's Class-A start with Tampa on Friday night, though the decision was not yet official late last night.



"We are in the process of discussions to try to showcase coverage on our entities," said an ESPN spokesperson.

It's not yet clear if this will be on ESPN or the Duece -- that will depend on whether the New Jersey Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers are playing a Game 6 that evening, which will be decided tonight.

But hey, seeing Clemens pitch sounds good, right?

I suppose ...

until you realize that Clemens likely won't be pitching more than a handful of innings. What's his limit in his very first start? Four inning, maybe five if he doesn't get into trouble?

I'm curious if the Worldwide Leader stay with the game once he leaves, or if they'll switch to, say, women's billiards or some random poker tournament from 2004 or whatever else their regular Friday night programming is.

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Posted May 14th 2007 3:13PM by
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Johnny DamonDo you think the Red Sox are in the Yankees' head this year? It's only May and Johnny Damon is already peeking at the "out of town scoreboard" while fretting about Boston's lead in the AL East. From the :
Just a couple hours earlier, Damon and his teammates watched the out-of-town scoreboard in amazement as the Red Sox scored six runs in the ninth to defeat the Orioles.

Bottom line, they lead the Yanks by eight games.

"I looked up and couldn't really believe it," Damon said. "It seemed like the Orioles had the game convincingly.

I thought they might have made a mistake, that it should have still been 5-0."

As for whether the Yankees can make up the difference, Damon isn't sure.
"If the Red Sox keep playing the way they are," Damon said yesterday, "nobody is going to catch them.

"

Will getting Roger Clemens back really make that much of a difference? It shouldn't take long to find out: , which should put him on pace to make his season debut with the Yankees on June 2 at Fenway Park. Personally I have a hard time believing that someone who only plays once every five days and plays only two-thirds of the season can be the difference-maker for the Yanks.



Then again, it's too early to call anyone the favorite in the AL East, even with the Red Sox jumping out to a sizable lead. Boston's rotation is just as susceptible to injury down the road as New York's has been early in the year, especially when you consider Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield are over 40 and .

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Posted May 11th 2007 3:40PM by
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Although the Red Sox can't be happy about Roger Clemens' arrival in New York, the reports that teams like the Twins, Pirates and Marlins have something to gain ..

. literally:

It's a relatively meager amount by baseball standards, but the Yankees' signing of Roger Clemens this week will benefit the Twins, who with some other clubs will share about $6 million that New York will have to pay in extra luxury tax. The amount should be enough for Minnesota to pay salaries for a couple of September call-up players from the minors.

It's not much, but it's something, and considering there really are some franchises too cheap to call up all of their prospects in September (I remember the Expos/Nationals had this problem when they were still operated by Major League Baseball), there's a good chance this will make their decision a bit easier.

Unless, of course, the owner just wants to pocket the extra dough, .

(via )
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Posted May 11th 2007 12:13AM by
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It hasn't been that long since Clemens' , , and decision to return to baseball, and already .
Roger Clemens is scheduled leave Lexington, Ky.

, on Monday to travel to Tampa, where he will begin his final preparations for his first minor-league start, which likely will be for the Yankees' Class A team that plays its games at the New York Yankees' spring training home, Legends Field. "He'll throw a bullpen Tuesday and from there a decision will be made when he'll pitch a game," Joe Torre said.
There's been speculation that Clemens could be ready for a June 1 game against the Boston Red Sox, but Torre said, "We're not targeting a particular team for him.

We're not rushing him to be ready for a certain team. When he's ready, we'll pitch him."

Phew.

I was really starting to get worried that Clemens would jerk baseball around for another month or so, and ...

well, he's probably doing that anyway. But at least we can start the countdown until Clemens' first start against the Red Sox. If we want to really capture the magnitude of the moment, we're going to have to get things ready.

I'm thinking we're going to need a white stallion, a bloody sock, a gold cross with a chain, some chewing tobacco, and a lifetime's supply of resin. Get going, intern!

Previously on the FanHouse:


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Keywords: Roger Clemens, New York, Joe Torre, Al East, Fenway Park, Tim Wakefield, Andy Pettitte, New York Yankees, John Madden, Dice k
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