Poor Roger Clemens

[THUNDER HANDS]

Didn't have it tonight.

Ends his career possibly giving his old team a chance to get to the Series and WIN.

Maybe he threw it tonight?


You know.

A gift to the Bambino, in a way.

:tinfoilhat:

It's kinda poetic if you think about it.

[flamingyouth]

1. Hope he won't freak and throw a bat at anyone...

[OneBlueSky]

2. ahem . . .

seems Roger's going to the Big Show . . . he lives to pitch anoher day! . . .

[Blitz]

3. Yes, poor, poor Roger

If he wins another ring with the Yankees, do you think the hall of fame will let him wear his Yankee cap to the induction ceremony?

BTW, does anyone know what the pitching rotations will be?

[jus_the_facts]

4. that's gonna be interesting to see just how they'll choose....

.....who starts Sat. night....my hope is that the Rocket will stay on as a relief or closer *crosses fingers* :D

[Blitz]

5. Nah

Roger will start Game 4. Mussina will probably pitch game 1, Wells 2, Petitte 3. I wish Contreras was more solid and Weaver was the least bit reliable but, oh well, every team has holes. Hopefully, the Yanks can jump on the Marlins' starting pitching in games 1 & 2 and use Contreras, Nelson, Herredia, White et al. to save the starters and, most importantly, Rivera.

[Blitz]

6. Oh, you meant next year

No, why would he do that when he is still one of the best starters in the game? He's not retiring because he's lost a step (check out the final seasons of other greats) but because he's done it all and wants to spend time with his family.

OK, I'll post them:

Roger Clemens:

2003 NYY 17-9 3.91

Nolan Ryan:

1993 Tex 5-5 4.88

Tom Seaver:

1986 Bos/Chi 7-13 4.03

Steve Carlton:

1987 Cle/Min 6-14 5.74 (1 save) (Carlton pitched 9.2 terrible innings in 1988 ... that's best left forgotten)

Gaylord Perry:

1983 KC/Sea 7-14 4.64

As you can see, going out with a record like Clemens' is nearly unprecedented (and is particularly hard to fathom given that he could still get over $7 million per year for playing). In fact, the only pitcher who springs to mind who had comparable success in his final season is Sandy Koufax (27-9, 1.73 ERA) who walked away because of an arthritic elbow.

I'd love to see Roger come back to the Yanks (with Wells likely leaving they could use him) but I wish him all the best if he doesn't. And I hope the Yankees send him out a winner.