Clemens off to Tampa with an eye on Boston
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- May
- 9
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The Yankees are starting to map out a schedule for Roger Clemens. Here is what we know:
The Rocket will remain in Kentucky for a few days, working out at UK and watching his son play.
He will travel to Tampa on Monday and throw in the bullpen on Tuesday. If that goes well, his first minor-league start could come on May 17 or 18. The Tampa Yankees are home both of those days.
From there – and this is a guess – Clemens would pitch for Class AA Trenton on May 22 or 23. The Thunder are home for both of those games.
Clemens could then finish up with Class AAA Scranton on May 27 or 28. There are games scheduled at Lackawanna County Stadium on both of those days.
That puts Clemens in the majors on June 1 or 2 against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Joe Torre made it clear the other day – as did Clemens – that there would be no hesitation pitching Clemens against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Don’t dig that back foot in, Julio Lugo. The first one is sure to be up and in.
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on Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 at 5:41 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
I can only imagine what would happen if Clemens nailed somebody. I’m picturing Jeter getting dropped by Josh Beckett. But that’s just me.
Just once I would love to see a big name athlete just admit he took the contract he did because of the money. It is an utter joke that Clemens says it was not about the money. If it wasn’t about the money then why did Clemens have his agent call the Red Sox to see what their offer would be? It has always been about the money with Mr. Clemens.
In the words of the immortal Rick Vaughn … “Let’s see how this *bruise* looks in HD.”
28 million isn’t to watch the Boston games thats for sure
I agree 28 million isn’t to watch the Boston games, but I really don’t think throwing him up against the Sox in his first start back is a good idea. They should wait a week and let him either start @ Toronto or vs. the Pirates at the Stadium on June 8th.
Lackawanna County Stadium. … Shouldn’t Carl Pavano play there? If ever there was anybody with a lack of wanna …
You’ve been a great crowd, thanks very much.
ray, goose gossage was asked why he signed with the yankees, he said “my agent told me so” … i’d love it if clemens first pitch at fenway put lugo on the ground.
Why did they counter with 28 million? Why didn’t he just take the 25.5 the Yankees already offered him? Cause anybody who says it isn’t about the money isn’t telling the truth. I would do the same thing if I were him that is for damn sure.
Jeter will end up on his back – Roger doesn’t scare anybody – unless he throws a bat at them.
Pete –
Great one! Head to the Catskills!
damnit! The tickets we’ve bought while trying to get a Clemens home game all revolve around his first start opening the whitesox series >_
I just posted something on another thread alluding to the euphoria over the signing of Randy Johnson. Clemens is much closer to the last round-up than Johnson was when he became a Yankee.
Yankee fans are as delusional as Sox fans. You’ve gone from being happy that you don’t have to use Rasner-types as 5th starters to some ridculous extrapolation wherein Clemens will be messianic. At this point in his career, he’s a JAG (Just a Guy).
P.S. I saw him pitch his last 4 years in Boston. He made Curt Schilling look like Mr. Universe, couldn’t stay healthy, and was a middle-of-the-road (.500) pitcher. I join the many doubters who wonder about his miraculous improvement as he became older. It’s bad enough that you’re dancing with the devil …. don’t look so happy about it.
Clemens will take care of the payback. Matsuzaka’s already hit Jeter twice and A-rod once.
“I just posted something on another thread alluding to the euphoria over the signing of Randy Johnson. Clemens is much closer to the last round-up than Johnson was when he became a Yankee.”
Plenty of Yankee fans (me) had no enthusiasm at all about the Johnson trade.
Reality Check,
Roger doesnt scare anyone? Uh ok.
I love it!
I have tickets for the Richmond Braves – Scranton Yankees in Richmond on May 22. Any chance he pitches a road game in AAA? If so, May 22 sets him up for a final May 28 tuneup and then the June 2 start on national TV! Yes!!!
I can see it now. Chin music drops Big Sloppy on his massive backside. Then he drills Manny right between the dreadlocks. The Yankees sweep and burn down Fenway on their way out of town. They’ll have the Red Sox wives draped over their shoulders as they leave town…..!
No lies, this gives me goosebumps.
I think Roger would have gone to Boston if they told him to suit up right away and upped the price accordingly. You’ve got to think that was his first choice, and the ridiculously over-sentimentalizing MLB and he would have made of the “homecoming” was their collective wet dream.
And Schilling supposedly became Schilling when Clemens confronted him during his Mowhawk-wearing wild days in Baltimore and told him to shape up because he had the talent and he was pissing it away. So those two would have hit it off just fine, regardless of them both being egomaniacs with verbal diarrhea.
Lastly, I think Roger Clemens really likes Josh Beckett. I remember how heartily JB was clapping when Clemens walked off the mound in what would be his final start during the WS in 2003. A photo the next day in the Daily News showed Clemens and Beckett talking in one of the dugouts in the empty stadium in Florida.
My point is, Roger’s legacy is alive and well on that Sox team. In my mind, that’s where he wanted to go, but if your second choice offers 10 million USD more, what decision do you make? It is all about the money when it gets to that level.
And please, I don’t want to here a load of bunk about how Mr. Steinbrenner said things he’ll hold close to his heart. “Oh, you’re a warrior, Rocket…bla, bla, bla…” It’s all about the money and that’s just fine.
What, are they going to now tell us Daisuke Matsuzaka really wanted to play only for the Red Sox because Alex Cora bought him a slushie?
Thanks for the scoop, Pete!
Bitter Sox fans make me smile.
1st one will be up and in….then the 13th and 14th ones will be in the seats. Just like the all star game a few years ago when Ortiz and Manny took him deep back to back.
It’s showtime!
Of course, Giambi would’ve done that play had he been playing first.
It seriously cracks me up that all of Red Sox Nation is sitting around talking about how bad Clemens is, how he isn’t going to do anything great, how he’s broken down, and so on and so on. If he would have signed with Boston they would be singing his praises.
Now THAT’s the Abreu I want to see – he makes it look so damn easy when he’s hitting well.
Breaking News! Bobby broke out of his slump
So he’s not allowed to join the team in Chicago?
Looks like the Rangers took a wrong turn and walked into *Hits R Usâ„¢* tonight.
Nice one, Peter. And I can’t wait to see Roger make Ortiz “uncomfortable” in the batter’s box.
Good luck Yankees!
I’ve said it before, Sox Fans are treating the Clemens signing much like Yankee fans reacted to the Matsuzaka signing. They both have their pluses and minuses. Clemens pitching is only a part of the benefits of his signing as he also brings some leadership and mentorship to the staff and the young rotation. Is he our savior? I don’t think so, but he’s a definite plus over Rasner, Igawa, or Karstens. Matsuzaka is no Santana, but he’s a definite plus over a lot of the current Sox rotation so it’s fruitless to belittle things that will work themselves out. Just let it play. As a fan I am pleased that this just energizes what had been a lackluster rivalry dating back to last summer. Good luck to everyone on all sides.
Mike needs to pitch like that more often.
And doesn’t Sammy look skinny?? I guess we know why.
so is Moose hitting 90-91 on the gun?
Pete,
Did you bring “Brian (Red Sox Fan) in here for our entertainment? If so, I appreciate it. Referencing Clemens’ last four years in Boston and trying to insinuate PED use is laughable. Let’s look at Papi’s last four years in Minny and speculate how he went from being non-tendered to all-world in about six months. Didn’t think you wanted to do that.
Well, if anyone’s gonna get plunked by Rocket in Fenway, hopefully Varitek will take his mask off this time.
LOL…”Will Nieves”, funniest comment I’ve seen today.
Can anyone give me an idea of how fast Moose is pitching? ESPN says one number, Sterling says another, and last week FOX inflated the number about 5 miles per hour over what the stadium said.
So, what is a Moose fastball???
And Boston just continues to roll, leading 3-0 after 2 innings. Those early games DID mean something, after all.
Let’s see how the Yanks do in Toronto.
Moose’s fastball is in the 87-90 range.
Mike lost it this inning.
Mike lost it this inning.
Mussina is no Dice K.
Brad Wilkerson is no rainbowtrout
Jesus how many times is alex going to get hit??
Mussina is welcome to brush me back anytime.
I fear no Mussina.
Hi All,
I have a couple of points I want to make that may be tangential but relate in some way to this focus on brushbacks and the like when it comes to NY vs. Boston.
I think something to realize is that Schilling apparently became Schilling after meeting with Clemens back when he was a Mohawked wild child with Baltimore. Clemens apparently confronted him about not going all out and wasting his potential. So, some of Rocket’s legacy lives on in Curt.
Second, I think Roger Clemens likes Josh Beckett and Roger’s approach seems to resonate with JB. Beckett was one of the people front and center applauding Clemens during his standing ovation in the 2003 WS, in what was supposed to be his final appearance. I also vaguely remember a photo of Josh and Roger in the dugout the next day (Daily News, I believe) talking during batting practice or something (the stadium looked empty.)
So, in terms of Clemens and brushbacks, I think he’ll have at least two playmates on the Sox who would feel free to match him pitch by pitch and hit batsman by hit batsman.
Who does Brad Wilkerson play for again? Such a meaningful statement!!!
RBizzler
I’m not naive. I have my doubts about David Ortiz’ new found girth and increased power after he left Minnesota. Also makes you wonder.
But make no mistake about it. Clemens was decidedly mediocre during his last 4 year contract with Boston. He simply couldn’t put anyone away, leading to high pitch totals and a noticeable diminishment in efficiency. But now, because of his much-ballyhooed workout regimen (which I’m sure is fueled by a Bobby Riggs vitamin diet), he is born again. Right. Give me a break.
I visit this blog because I’m unconcerned about provincial, proprietary fans who aren’t willing to have a rational discussion based on tangible data. If I keep you amused, I guess that’s a bonus. There are many other Yankee fans on this blog who have a sense of proportion, and I enjoy their input. In many ways, we are the same ….. alternatively enthralled and tortured by the activities of our respective teams.
ugh Abreu
IMO, Sheffield will end up having a better year.
Clemens likely took steroids. But much like Bonds’s surpring first two months, Clemens on steroids doesn’t explain his effectiveness last year, or the season before.
i think i like this jeter/abreu switch permanately until abreu hits for power again
It’s cool Brian (RS fan), some fans here are a little enthusiastic. But they all mean well.
Way to go capt. clutch!
Did everyone see that Jeter stat? Hitting .571 with 2 outs & RISP? Amazing! Of course, right after they showed the stat, he tacked on another hit in that category…
Dice-K with 7 K’s through 4 innings for Boston.
“Just once I would love to see a big name athlete just admit he took the contract he did because of the money. It is an utter joke that Clemens says it was not about the money. If it wasn’t about the money then why did Clemens have his agent call the Red Sox to see what their offer would be? It has always been about the money with Mr. Clemens.”
Why do you care??
Murcer’s great. his jabs at Leiter are funny and we haven’t lost with him in the booth since his return!
Guys, maybe you can help me out, what exactly is a bone spur? I’ve heard the term, but have no idea what it means, lost in translation.
Also all this talk about not throwing Clemens to the wolves at Fenway, he is no rookie, he is no kid, if that is the way it lines up, so be it. We are talking about a HOF, even if it is his first outting back, come on he doesn’t need babying around.
He can take it, if he either pitches well or mediocre, he isn’t gonna crumble and there is no use hiding him. The Yankees got him to play not to wait for a better time table.
whats up with these posts about the sox game? this is a yankee blog.
Brian, welcome aboard. It’s a pleasure to read good critical analysis of the situation and also good writing. Much needed.
its nice to have clemens back but what a waste for 28 million, he is not worth that. I don’t even think he will perform so well so that drives it, also the BP analysis that his efforts are worth about an extra win over other 5th starters.
what a waste, but it isn’t my money so oh well, and at least it is only for one year.
“At this point in his career, he’s a JAG (Just a Guy).”
and you’re JAI. guess what the I stands for.
Clemens was the best pitcher in the NL for the last 3 years.
pretending he is average all of a sudden is stupid.
“P.S. I saw him pitch his last 4 years in Boston. He made Curt Schilling look like Mr. Universe, couldn’t stay healthy, and was a middle-of-the-road (.500) pitcher.”
and here are Clemens’ last 4 years with Boston:
IP ERA+ SO
192 105 160
171 177 168
140 115 132
242 142 257
in other words, he had one medocre year, 1 good year, and 2 outstanding years.
he was great his last year in Boston, but you chased him out of town b/c his record was 10-13 even though he had a 142 ERA+ and K’ed more than a hitter an inning.
1992 called, they want their baseball analysis back.
so maybe if you looked beyond W’s and L’s, you wouldn’t be “suspicious” of Clemens’ post Boston success.
it’s a MYTH that Clemens was bad in his last years with Boston. not to mention that Boston had TERRIBLE defense those years.
I think that the Clemens poll should have a ‘If the team doesn’t care, I don’t care’ option.
and a worse bullpen. many leads were lost after he left in a position to win. even fair boston sprtswriters (i know, an oxymoron) have documented that.
“But make no mistake about it. Clemens was decidedly mediocre during his last 4 year contract with Boston. He simply couldn’t put anyone away, leading to high pitch totals and a noticeable diminishment in efficiency. ”
this is hilarious.
717 K’s in 744 IP over 4 years. 8.67 K/9
you know, BB-Ref.com is free.
or is something true just because that’s how you remember it??
sigh…you know this blog’s really taken off when posts about how great daisuke’s doing show up. however, speaking of other pitchers the team could’ve picked up this offseason, it looks like Lilly and Meche are actually doing well. I figured Lilly would do well in the NL, but for both of them to be rolling is a surprise. Funny, as i’m writing this, oakland just homered to take a 1-run lead over meche. it’ll be interesting to see if this keeps up.
Wow that was hilarious.
hahah gotta love the reaction to nieves making a terrible baserunning mistake, nice hit.
At least Nieves cheered everyone up
RAHHHHRGGHHHH!!!!!!!!! SNAP INTO A…..ah hell, I got carried away…
I don’t know why Wil didn’t try to turn that into an inside the park home run. Run big fella Run!!!!!!!!!
Brian, I’ll be a good sport and ask you what you thought when the Sox signed Matsuzaka. Your post smacked of homerism in that if Clemens had signed with Boston you would have been elated, but because he signed in NY he will be a non-factor. Clemens is better than what we had in the four hole (and that goes for you guys too), so he made sense for the Yanks. No one is calling him a messiah, except for the media. Have you caught any of the Matsuzaka coverage by any chance?
As for the PED usage, no player in this era is above speculation. Sure Clemens last four years in Beantown were mediocre, but the guy clearly wasn’t washed up when he left for Toronto. Did Clemens ante up, can’t say for sure. It wouldn’t surprise me but without any hard evidence all we are left with is speculation and anecdotal theories based on people’s “head size” and “jaw shape.” Those types of arguments are just to ridiculous to engage in.
BTW, that was a hose bu Bobby to get Tex.
I didn’t realize so many of them speak spanish. I guess it makes sense, Cano Cabrera, Nieves, A-Rod, Abreu…
My tirade against Wil Nieves is now officially over. Congrats to Wil on his first ML hit in 4 years.
Abreu needs to stop looking at strikes down the middle
Man he finally gets one and tries for two, terrible luck.
Wow that was about as pathetic a first hit of the season as you could ever have, getting thrown out at 2nd. Oh well, just 9 more outs in this one for 8 wins in 11 games.
Nieves was very very entertaining in that play.
hopefully the bullpen does not come out with the oily rags and matches
I’m now a huge Wil Nieves fan….
nieves is actually not too slow for a catcher. he had no business trying to stretch, but he wasn’t running all that slowly.
Dint, forgot Posada, Rivera, Vizcaino and Peña
You just wonder what Bruney thinks out there sometimes. Four run lead, 0-2 on Sosa, who couldn’t catch up with his fastball, so he throws a breaking pitch, leaves it in the middle of the plate, and it begins a rally. Just blow him away. There is no reason to speed up Sosa’s bat in that situation.
He then walks Kinsler and they will need another 3 pitchers to try and finish the game.
The one weakness this pitching staff possesses it it does a poor job with situational pitching. Its why they need so many guys to finish games each night.
Joe made the right move changing pitchers. However, these guys make it real hard for Torre to have confidence in them.
Too many bad pitch selections. At some point, how many 0-2. 1-2 hits is this staff going to give up this season? Then, you follow it up with a walk.
They have to better in these situations. This has hurt them all year.
Now, you have to hope Myers and Proctor can finish this inning successfully.
Concerning Clemens, here’s my take. I think Clemens wanted Boston, and the 18 million USD offer Luccino & Co. made illustrates that Boston clearly wanted Clemens. For both parties the undeniably poignant if not overly sentimental “homecoming” would have been a wet dream for Clemens, Red Sox management, and MLB. Also, let’s be honest, the standings in the beginning of May indicate–along with the superior pitching staff–that Boston gives Clemens the best opportunity at a deep playoff appearance.
The fact that the Yankees needed him now, and that there is 10 million USD attached to that urgency is the determining factor. And that’s fine. But I really don’t want to hear all this bunk that it’s about Mr. Steinbrenner and something he said that will be forever close to Roger’s heart, like “You’re a warrior, Rocket, get up you s.o.b, ‘cos Georgie loves ya, bla bla bla…” It’s ridiculously saccharine and is akin to Dice-K saying he really wanted to go to Boston because it looks like Alex Cora is having so much fun over there.
The determining factor that it was money is totally fine. But I believe that all things being even, Roger would have chosen Boston. So the yankees front office did a good job, the way the Boston front office did a good job (IMHO) at getting Dice-K by over-bidding to make sure they weren’t out-spent by the Yanks.
8-1 Boston in the 8th. 6 games is a HUGE margin to make up with a team as good as the Red Sox.
Those early games DID matter.
Concerning Clemens, here’s my take. I think Clemens wanted Boston, and the 18 million USD offer Luccino & Co. made illustrates that Boston clearly wanted Clemens. For both parties the undeniably poignant if not overly sentimental “homecoming” would have been a wet dream for Clemens, Red Sox management, and MLB. Also, let’s be honest, the standings in the beginning of May indicate–along with the superior pitching staff–that Boston gives Clemens the best opportunity at a deep playoff appearance.
The fact that the Yankees needed him now, and that there is 10 million USD attached to that urgency is the determining factor. And that’s fine. But I really don’t want to hear all this bunk that it’s about Mr. Steinbrenner and something he said that will be forever close to Roger’s heart, like “You’re a warrior, Rocket, get up you s.o.b, ‘cos Georgie loves ya, bla bla bla…” It’s ridiculously saccharine and is akin to Dice-K saying he really wanted to go to Boston because it looks like Alex Cora is having so much fun over there.
The determining factor that it was money is totally fine. But I believe that all things being even, Roger would have chosen Boston. So the yankees front office did a good job, the way the Boston front office did a good job (IMHO) at getting Dice-K by over-bidding to make sure they weren’t out-spent by the Yanks.
6 games is quite a bit, however, Boston is due for some injuries, they have 2 starters who are 40+, Varitek and Lowell aren’t exactly young either (I personally think Lowell is at least 65). Things will balance out, we just have to keep winning.
Thrillington,
I agree with you in everything except with the Steinbrenner thing. You weren’t there, you don’t know what was said and can only speculate.
Who knows what was said.
I guess that Clemens is more of a controversial topic now that he has been dragged out of Texas, and into the East Coast maelstrom. Let me just try to clarify a couple of matters.
(1) Clemens WAS in decline, and his durability WAS a concern, during his last 4 years in Boston. That is what the stats document. You must remember, I saw him before that (I saw Mickey Mantle play, also), and he simply wasn’t the pitcher he had been. Much the same as when Pedro left; he was not the pitcher he had been (which was Koufax good). The Mets found that out.
(2) Let’s get real …. the odds of him Clemens using performance enhancers are very high. During his first 20 strikout game, he resembled Jim Palmer. In the owner’s box on Sunday, he looked like a WWF wrestler.
(3) I loved the Dice-K signing (and still do). Remember, he’s only 26, and the MRI of his shoulder showed absolutely no fraying or structural damage. Also, I like his stuff. His main problem right now is that he doesn’t quickly find the 3 or 4 pitches that he has going on a given night and stay with it. He needs to “pitch backwards” a little less and trust his fastball. It will cost the Sox about $17 million/yr. (and nothing on the luxury tax) for the next 6 years. Check out Barry Zito, and tell me if it’s worth it. Dice-K will soon be very good (7 innings, one run tonite).
(4) I would have been OK with signing Clemens, but only because it would have hurt the Yankees and improved the back end of our rotation. But he is a mega-jerk who insults everyone’s intelligence every year he goes through all of the philanthropic reasons behind his return to baseball. Because we are now it the era of rooting for the laundry, I would have grinned and beared it.
But I’m glad I don’t have to ….. saves me the agony of being a hypocrite.
If he’s ready for that game, he should pitch. If he needs a 4th rehab start, then he shouldn’t.
Fact is, by around June 20th, when Hughes comes back, we’re going to have, by far, the best rotation in baseball.
“I think Clemens wanted Boston, and the 18 million USD offer Luccino & Co. made illustrates that Boston clearly wanted Clemens.”
why would a $4M paycut indicate that Boston really wanted Clemens?
they knew he wasn’t going to take a paycut. EVERYONE knew that.
It would be foolish for the Yankees to have Clemens start his season at Fenway 6/1. Think about it: all the starting pitcher for Boston has to do is hit Jeter and A-Rod in the first inning, the homeplate ump warns both benches. Clemens’ can’t pitch inside before he even throws a pitch, but you know he’ll hit Ortiz or Manny regardless, benches clear. If I was Boston’s manager, that’s what I’d do: hit Jeter and A-Rod, make Clemens hit me then charge the mound, get Clemens kicked out and suspended. Dirty but necessary pool. I’d play mind games with the Yankees, have to right off the bat without using it. You can’t let Clemens beat you if you’re Boston. If Clemens goes inside to Ortiz or Manny, either could point at him, say some shit like Betancourt did to Proctor and why not? WHY MAKE IT A MEDIA CIRCUS, YANKEES? Is that what this is all about? A circus? Or winning games? The rest of the Yankees rotation is more than capable of taking 2 of 3 from Boston without Clemens.
It makes much more sense for Clemens to start his season 6/4 at Chicago and face Pittsburgh in N.Y. 6/9 because that’s an easier two games then Boston then Chicago away. What, Wang, Pettitte, and Mussina can’t handle Boston? I mean Torre is lining it up so at least two of those guys pitch in Boston right? Also, say you start Clemens 6/1 and 6, he misses facing Pittsburgh, he faces Arizona with an extra days rest probably (off-day 6/11) then the Mets 6/17. Why deal with another media circus? What if 6/16 is rained out? Now Clemens has the pressure of giving the Yanks length in the doubleheader 6/17.
The plan should be:
6/4 @ Chicago
6/9 vs. Pittsburgh
6/14 vs. Arizona
6/20 @ Colorado
6/26 @ Baltimore
7/1 vs. Oakland
7/6 vs. The Angels
Extra day’s rest with the All Star Break if he starts
7/12 vs. T.B.
NO RED SOX. NO METS, NO TRIP TO SAN FRAN, NO BONDS, NO ABOVE .500 TEAMS SAVE THE ANGELS, NO POSSIBILITY OF FACING RANDY JOHNSON, TOM GLAVINE, BARRY ZITO, OR JOHANN SANTANA.
I want those first 7 starts to be against teams which the Yanks could most definitely go 5-2 or better against. I mean Oakland can’t hit and the Angels would be Clemens’ first real challenge -and only one until 8/19 if he faces T.B. 7/12, Toronto 7/17, T.B. again 7/22, Baltimore 7/27, K.C.
8/3, Toronto 8/8, Baltimore 8/14 then his next biggest challenge Detroit at home 8/19. After that he faces Detroit there (pitchers’ park) 8/25 then skip the Yanks-Boston circus again and have him go for the much surer win vs. T.B. 8/31. By then the Yanks should be on their way to playing decent ball in September to win another divsion title. He’d then face Seattle 9/5, Toronto 9/12, skip Fenway and face Baltimore at home 9/17, Toronto at home 9/23, then one final tuneup start for the postseason vs. Baltimore 9/28.
Do a Matsuzaka in spring training: Have Clemens avoid Boston to make Boston imagine facing him like A.L. teams had to imagine facing Matsuzaka all of spring training.
If he starts 6/1 in Boston, he draws Chicago 6/6, Arizona 6/12, the Mets 6/17, San Francisco there 6/23, Oakland 6/29, and Minnesota 7/4. Considerably tougher teams and no need for that with Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, and hopefully Hughes at some point in June.
“Clemens WAS in decline, and his durability WAS a concern, during his last 4 years in Boston. That is what the stats document. ”
really? the 242 IP in his last year show durability was a concern?
i wish the Yankees had more pitchers with those durability concerns.
Here are some of Clemens’ pitch counts in his last season in Boston, from April-July:
123
129
128
119
124
129
95
120
142
158
131
139
124
127
123
124
161
Clemens was what he always was, a horse.
>>>Don’t dig that back foot in, Julio Lugo. The first one is sure to be up and in.
sorry to nitpick Pete, but the Scranton team sold the naming rights to their stadium before the season started.
They play at PNC Field.
Here’s how I’d map out the season for Clemens:
PREPARATION FOR THE SEASON:
5/18: Start in Tampa
5/23: Start in Trenton
5/28: Start in Scranton
WITH THE YANKEES:
6/4 @ Chicago (Clemens flies there from Texas 6/2)
6/9 Pittsburgh
6/14 Arizona (Clemens could go back to Texas)
6/20 @ Colorado (Clemens could fly there from Texas)
6/26 @ Baltimore (Clemens could fly back to Texas from CO
then fly to Baltimore)
7/1 Oakland
7/6 Angels
7/12 @ Tampa Bay (He flies there from Texas and pitches only 5 IP on artificial turf cuz everyone is well rested to give the Yanks 4 IP)
7/17 Toronto
7/22 T.B.
7/27 @ Baltimore (first time he flies from NY, brief flight)
8/3 Kansas City
8/8 @ Toronto (5 IP on artificial turf, back to NY 8/9, not Cleveland)
8/14 Baltimore
8/19 Detroit (Clemens doesn’t make the trip to L.A., he could go to Texas 8/20, stay there 8/20-22 then fly to Detroit)
8/23)
8/25 @ Detroit (go to Texas 8/26, stay there 8/26-28)
8/31 T.B. (fly from Texas 8/29, skip Boston)
9/5 Seattle
9/12 @ Toronto (5 IP on artificial turf -the Yanks should have a postseason berth if not the division wrapped up with 16 games left to play after this game, he goes NY 9/13)
9/17 Baltimore (skip Boston at Fenway)
9/23 Toronto (he’s in NY 9/13-26 assuming he flies to Baltimore 9/26 for a 9/28 start)
9/28 @ Baltimore (he avoids T.B.’s artificial turf)
The only challenges he has out of these 22 starts (13 at home) are the two vs. Detroit and one vs. the Angels, but two are at home and one is at a pitcher’s park (Detroit).
Re: what Steinbrenner said to Clemens, Bill Madden reported as follows:
“But what was especially influential was when I met with my owner, Mr. Steinbrenner, in spring training and the words he said to me, which I’ll keep close to my heart for now.”
What Steinbrenner said to Clemens that day was: “I need you, pal. I want you back with me,” before giving the pitcher a warm hug. At the time, however, Steinbrenner didn’t know how much he was going to need Clemens. From the NY Daily News 5/7/07.
I’d have him skip Boston so they wonder what’s it’s like to face him, not face him 3 times and have it all on film.
You wanna laugh? All these starts would be on YES and My9 (mostly YES), NO YANKEE-HATING ESPN OR FOX LOL. No nationally televised games either.
Oh yeah, only 6 day starts out of 22. 13 of 22 at home.
3 way off the East Coast, but he could fly from Texas to all of them (Texas to Chicago, Colorado, and Detroit). His starts vs. Detroit are in 4-game series, so we’re guaranteed to have at least 2 among Wang, Pettitte, and Mussina start
and all4 might pitch either series.
It’s Lackawanna COUNTY Stadium (not Country) and it’s been renamed to PNC Field from this season forward.