Speaking at today's Astros Legends Luncheon, Roger Clemens left the door open for pitching again next year according to Zachary Levine of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Earlier this month we learned that the seven-time Cy Young Award winner would like to be with Houston in 2013.
Clemens, 50, has made two starts for the independent Sugar Land Skeeters in recent weeks. He threw eight shutout innings total and ran his fastball up into the upper-80s. The Astros did scout his outings and team owner Jim Crane did confirm that he's open to signing the veteran right-hander. Clemens is scheduled to appear on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time next year, but pitching in a big league game would rest his five-year waiting period.
51 eh….On days he doesn’t pitch he’ll probably be stuck with dropping his pitching coach off at school.
I see what you tried to do there, but I’m not sure it went as planned.
Why can’t this guy just go away?
Running his fastball up into the high 80’s still seems like he has it. It’s not the old Clemens, but even though he is 50 that is enough where he won’t be pitching patting practice.
Totally agree…this guy is a complete and pathetic joke. I have heard the theory that he may hoping to restart his clock towards entry into the Hall of Fame, in the hopes that time will dull people’s memory regarding the roids. Like you said….Just go away.
First HOFer to play in the majors? Clemens is a hands down HOFer, only question is if they punish him because of any steroids allegations.
Anyone with me with the sentiment that someone should shut that door for good?
@LayerCake
Shut the door? How about we lock, bar,electrify, booby trap and station two rabid Pitbulls at the door?
This is just the occasion when Bud Selig should, but probably won’t, step in. It makes Houston and baseball look like a circus sideshow.
If Bud Selig was a superhero his name would be Inaction Man.
Why exactly should Bud Selig step in? So you’re telling me that Selig should be able to decide who does and who doesn’t have the right to tryout for a major league baseball team? Whether he plays in the majors again shouldn’t be Selig’s decision but rather the gm, manager and coaches. Not that I think he should come back however lol
“So you’re telling me that Selig should be able to decide who does and
who doesn’t have the right to tryout for a major league baseball team?”
Selig is a weak GM. There was a time when Commissioners ruled with an iron fist and had ultimate power that no owner dared to cross. Want examples?
Vida Blue sale to the NY Yankees and Joe Rudi + Rollie Fingers to Boston was voided by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn in 1976. Reason? He ruled it “detrimental to the game of baseball”.
Permanently banning Clemens would be no different than banning Joe Jackson for betting on the WS outcome. Clemens lied under oath to the “highest court in the land”, known as US Congress.
If Selig had 1 ounce of guts, he would ban him, Palmero and McGuire.
politicians don’t get penalized for lying to congress so why should anybody else. and if your going to perma ban clemens for drugs you enforce that for everybody including active players such as Braun,arod,jeter and a lot of others.
“politicians don’t get penalized for lying to congress”
They don’t? Ask Alberto Gonzalez, Richard Nixon. Want more examples? Give Eric holder another couple months.. A few shreds of skin is all that holding his fingernails on. History is replete with politicians getting fired for lying before congress and far worse treatment than Clemens is getting.. They don’t get welcomed back to the ‘old party” again with open arms either..
politicians don’t get penalized for lying to congress so why should anybody else.
Impressive. Way to advocate for the lowest common denominator.
:(
LOL. Most factual point made in this entire exchange :-)
Yeah, like that time he banned fellow steroid user Andy Pettitte from returning to baseball.
Does anyone really care? Why can’t this old has-been just go away. Stop giving this story attention and reporting about him and maybe he will. We get it, you were once great, your technically not “guilty” cause no one could prove it legally in court; your old, you want to relive your glory days. Go pitch for your neighborhood 40’n up soft ball team, feel great again, have a cookie, and leave the public eye for good.
Roger Clemens – return of the player/manager. Houston might just be crazy enough to do it.
i’d pay money to see the rangers hang a 10 spot on roger next season
the state of pitching in the mlb and the presence of newsworthy stories must be bleak if Clemons is being considered for a pitching position next year, Enough about Clemons already!
The proof is on the playing field. If he wants to try, let him work his way onto a team and give it a go. The outings in an independent league are unimpressive though. The quality at that level is on par with a solid community college league at best.