I usually don't post twice in the same day, but I have to make an exception in this case. Roger Clemens, the $20 Million Dollar Man, is going to make a 3rd start in the Minors. Yes you heard that correctly, the saving grace of the Yankees has been demoted to making a 3rd start for the Trenton Thunder before being allowed to enter the rotation of the hallowed New York Yankees.
The New York Yankees GM, Brian Cashman recently announced that their new Ace-in-the-Hole, Roger Clemens, will need to make a 3rd appearance in the Minor Leagues to shake off the rust.
In case you missed it, the Rocket, has pitched two very uninspiring Minor league games. His fastball has only been clocked in the upper 80's, lower 90's and his splitter just doesn't have that awe-inspiring movement that made him his generations most dominant pitcher.
His Minor League pitching efforts have obviously not inspired Mr. Cashman either, and he is inclined to have Roger make a third start at the lower level, further delaying his 1st appearance with The Evil Empire.
This should not come as a shock to most Major League baseball fans. Roger Clemens is 44 years old and will turn 45 this year in August. He is far from a spring chicken, and by most baseball pitching standards would have retired about 10 years ago. However, his loss of velocity on his fastball is extremely alarming. A guy who has thrown in the mid-90's throughout his career is now only throwing in the high 80's. Major League hitters gobble up 88 mph fastballs, regardless of movement. His fastball is no longer rising and is often times sitting in the middle of the plate ready to be teed off on. His control is also a little shaky as he is not finding the corners like he has throughout his dominant stint in the Majors.
For a guy who was paid $20 Million (pro rata) to supposedly salvage a rather dismal Yankees start, this is a very disturbing situation.
Maybe age has finally caught up with the "I'll play on my terms" Mr. Clemens. Maybe it is said justice for a man who thinks the league should come begging for him to play, as well as pay him like an everyday player. This may well be a preview to an 'Ace' with a 5+ ERA and more losses than victories.
Most likely I'm premature. I should probably never doubt a man with the credentials that a bonafide HOF like Mr. Clemen's possesses. But it just seems like old father time has finally caught up with Mr. Clemens afterall.
This story should start to get really interesting if Mr. Clemens continues to struggle.
You are right. It will get real interesting if he gets lit up. The critics will be ruthless.
I think it's too early to tell. I am surprised that he ONLY needs 3 starts. Most younger guys need way more than that to get ready in spring training. I think the Yankees are wise not to rush him. I say let him get 4 or even 5 starts before he comes up. He certainly looks a bit beefier than I remember him from last year.
At this point in time I do not think he is going all out nor do I think he can. He's just trying to build up arm strength and stamina. I'd be more concerned with his conditioning thn anything else. If Nolan Ryan could throw smoke at age 45 so can Roger.
Rivjo: He only had 2 stints in the Minors last year, and that was defintely the plan this year. I wouldn't be so excited if I were a Yankee fan right now.
The Yanks felt they were desperate, and sometimes desperate moves come back to bite you in the backside. We'll see if this desperate move does just that. It will be interesting to see what he will do when he gets to New York.
Well done Nostra. I think the same thing too. I can't say a thing about his credentials, but what he waited for in monetary terms doesn't equate to any winning at all
How much do you think Greg Maddux's decision to keep pitching and thus, creeeping up on Roger in the total wins column has to do with Roger's decision to keep coming out of retirement? I mean, had Roger stayed retired after his first retirement, Maddux would have caught him by now.
Hmmmmmmmm........ Missed his start by another stint in the Minors, and NOW, he has HAMSTRING injury. Hmmmmmmmmmm............... sounds like I'm right. Plus the 90 MPH fastball has him on the slow return. Good Luck Yankees. Your $20 Million Dollar man sounds like a $159 guy off of the street.
