Well, it's no secret that the Yankees have done it again. As if a payroll of 195 million underachievers wasn't enough, George Steinbrenner has reached deeper into his wallet to try and save face, once again, by signing Roger Clemens. Now I'm not saying I wouldn't spend the same money if I were in the same situation. If George is willing to pay the extra tax for going above the league maximum, then there isn't much anyone can say. But as smart of a business man as George appears to be on the outside, I have to wonder about his decisions in the office. But that's another blog for another time.
Roger Clemens, love him or hate him, is one of the greatest pitchers of all time. With a career record of 348 wins and 178 losses, and an ERA of 3.10, he could also be included in conversations of "the best pitcher of all time". However, in the era of free agency and self indulgence, Clemens has just catapulted himself to the top. It is fairly common for professional athletes to "hold out" for more money and more lucrative contracts. However, how many athletes of any era have been able to dictate, not only who they play for, but when they play for them? Roger evidently feels as if he doesn't need spring training. I find it ironic that Roger always makes his decisions in May, in order to bypass having to work out with whichever team he deems worthy of his presence....and obviously a team that can afford to pay him 4.5 million a month.
This leads me to my next subject. If you don't believe that Roger is an ego maniac, then listen to his announcement that he has decided to "help" the Yankees in their quest for the playoffs. His announcement was made in the seventh inning of the Yankees game with Seattle Sunday. Not only was the announcement made, but it was made by Roger himself. Roger's not too egotistical is he? As Kevin Costner said in "For Love of The Game", "I can't think of a better reason not to be a Yankee!" And I can't think of a better reason to hate the damn Yankees!!
Agreed, I'm getting a little tired of Clemens' act as well. Of course, as you mentioned, teams are willing to put with it, so they share some of the responsibility. However, I don't know that I've seen a player quite this selfish (and in this day and age, that's saying something).
He dictates when he wants to start his season, decides whether or not he wants to stay with the team on days he's not pitching, and picks the team he plays for after the season starts so he can best determine what his chances are of making the post-season.
Nooch, thanks for stopping by. I'll tell ya...this is going to start a precendent that will be hard to fix. I wouldn't have been quite as irrate about it, if he hadn't have announced it to the world at Yankee Stadium like he was their saviour or something. Nothing would have been better than to have seen a stray foul ball go through the window and plug him in the nads...at that time. He's a jerk, no doubt.
Marty...don't you hate the spell check police. I do it once in awhile...but just a "check your sp. of a certain work in paragraph 2" type response. I certainly never rip anyone apart for it.
I love the avatar. When I sent you my picture, you weren't supposed to use it for your avatar...LOL!!!
You're welcome on my site anytime. Hope you get to feeling better buddy. Later.
What a circus! I've been wondering if I am thinking about this too simply: It would be hard for me to court a player who wasn't game-ready. This makes me want to look for editorial cartoons on this hullaballoo...
BTW, it's a stark contrast to me that big haps from yesterday is Clemens' signing compared to Clijster's retirement. Since she says, "Money is not the important thing."
Roger has been so good, for so long that he feels this is his right. As long as owners keep hiring him it will continue. He'll help the Yankees, to be sure, not just with the pitching; he will help in drawing crowds to the games just like Babe Ruth did, even past his prime. People will come to see him win or fail, cause you know how we love winners and how we also like to boo losers! Fuzz
As for Roger, I don't know about that guy. All I keep hearing is about how much he's going to help the Yankees. I heard he's making about $150,000 per day. At that price, he better bring home a title, and much more than that I'd say. He's 45 years old. How much more can he possibly have left? He may be able to teach the young guys. But, he's not gonna be the ace of the staff, or anything like that. He'll contribute, but I don't see this team fixing its problems just by adding Roger.
Lioness...WOW...it's good to see you!! It has been a long time. I hope all is well with you, and that your absense isn't due to something bad? Feel free to post often. I loved your blog on Kim Cjisters by the way.
FOR ALL WHO HAVE NOT READ MCLIONESS'S BLOG ON THE RETIREMENT OF KIM CJISTERS...IT IS A MUST READ!!!
jgrace...don't get used to it. I don't like talking sports on sports blogs. I hope you're not too disappointed. LOL!!! I agree with you on many levels on your comment. I see everything you do...WOW...WE AGREE!!!!
All day long I've been hearing two sides of this Clemens issue. The Yankees fans think he is going to be some sort of great savior riding in on a white horse to save the season. Meanwhile, many Red Sox fans have gone too far on the other end, so far that I heard a talk radio caller today claim that Julian Tavarez is better (he meant it seriously).
Clemens will help the Yankees, but he won't be a savior. Will he be worth the sideshow circus that comes with him? Probably not.
Matt...I am a bonafide Yankees hater. Poor Steelers, I broke his heart. Here's my take...why is everyone going after Clemons?
Who's is the bigger ####? The one who skips spring training and chooses what team to play for at 44 yrs old and 28 mil in his pocket for less than one season, or the old #### that hired him?
Kinda wish this guy would retire, he dictates where he is goina play, and theNew york Yankees are willing to pay this price, doesn't need to come in like the rest of the players, screw him, but I do like the Yankees, I would just boo him everytime!
Nice take on the Clemens aquisition. I can't wait to see what he does myself. And yes, I think he savors every moment of special attention he recieves.
Fat,
Don't delete me...I'm a lifelong Yankees fan and this move blows my mind. The amount of money with all those funky conditions? Baseball is still a team sport right? I can't see how his teammates won't be affected by this entire deal. The only way I see this working is if Roger comes in smokin'right out of the gate. The Boss is slipping. Nice post!
steeler...sorry, I know this post prolly pains you...you damn yankee (fan)!!! LOL
Nt2nice...thanks for stopping in. It's always nice to see bloggers who don't get offended by disagreements on other subjects be mature enough to move on. I'm sure we'll disagree on more as time goes on. However, some of my biggest detractors on this blogsite are some of my closest chat buddies. I hope to see you around more often. And yes, I hope the Yankees eat it...big time!!!
All the curtain calls he has received from fans thinking it would be his FINAL game proves how huge his ego is. What he has forgotten is that whether or not he was a part of the Yankees in 99 or 2000 they did not need Clemens to show up and pitch in the playoffs to win. In fact, he only won when the pressure was off. If anyone takes issue with that statement you can go check the timing of his wins which usually happened when the team was already in a comfortable situation.
Dan, good point. You can't argue his wins/losses or his ERA over his career. However, you can argue that he is not a big game pitcher. So he can get you there, but he can't win when it matters most. Interesting!!!
Chris Rock once said that there is a difference between wealthy and rich. "Shaq is rich. The guy who signs his checks is wealthy." The same can be said for the Yankees. Clemmens is rich but Steinbrenner is WEALTHY and as long as he is stupid enough to agree to this contract, why hate on Roger? Wouldn't you sign the same contract if given the opportunity?
frank...if you'll reread my post, you'll see it had to do with his ego...not his money. I actually said that if I were George and I had the money, and can't say as I wouldn't do the same. If I were roger i would take the money. but that wasn't the point of this post.
Thanks lisa...you know, I think this is the first time I've ever been up there on the board? I could really care less...especially when I've had a couple of blogs that went waaaaaay over on the number of comments this one did...I don't put any stock into it. I'm glad to be there, don't get me wrong...but it's literally meaningless, as I can't see their rational behind any of it.
Matt (fatmaw1) ............... What was it that TO's publicist said about TO ? There are twenty five million reasons that he wants to live. Well we all know now that with Roger there's twenty eight million even if it is prorated over six months.
And anyway there's no guarantee that he'll even get 'em into the postseason. 'cause as you can imagine if Pettite and Mussina should go down there's not pitching there that one would be envious of other than Chen Mieng Wang Mo' Rivera. But you've gotta' give it to 'Big' George as he knows the interest the return of 'Rocket' will create will get the turnstiles turning and the tv audiences watching. All the while the money will just come pouring in and adding to their bottom line.
top...I totally agree in terms of money. However, I still think that people aren't getting what I'm saying in blog..as it has nothing to do with money. It has to do with ego.
You had me laughing at "Clemens doesn't have an ego."
Why did he HAVE to be at the stadium to announce his signing? To be adored, that's why.
What's with this prorated $28,000,000.00?
Can't anyone speak in actual dollars any more.
So, he's going to pull in about $19,000,000,00 for the season, poor guy.
He won the lottery again.
slshusker...I'm a little confused. Are you talking to me....because I certainly never said that Clemens don't have an ego. I hope you read my entire post!!
Y'know, as one of the few Red Sox fans around that didn't totally hate Roger, I would have welcomed him back to Fenway, hoping to put some closure to the entire episode.
But after his latest announcement, I think I can finally release the hate and say Roger, enjoy another season missing the playoffs.
I agree...I definitely think it will cost him. However, I'm looking forward to seeing Dieon Thompson play in his place. They have enough talent to get them to where they need to go. I hate he went pro...but I think it may have actually have been better for the Heels. I hope he does well...but it was too soon!!!
fatmaw1 ....... I do think that in Clemens' case the two go hand in hand. It's certainly about his ego as well as the money. Pettite signs a one year contract with the Yankees for $16m and you're tellin' me that somehow it's not about the money and more about the ego that Clemens gets $28m in effect $16m prorated. He may well feel worth it but it'll be worth nothin' if they don't make it into the postseason let alone win the World Series. Greed my friend certainly has its consequences and no doubt they'll find that out if they miss out on winning the World Series this year !
top...I agree with you, don't get me wrong. But how many have made announcements from the Yankees radio booth at Yankee Stadium that they are going to make the Yankee fans happy by playing for them. So far as I know Roger is the only one to do that. THAT....is far more egotistical than anything Andy Pettit has done. That's what I'm trying to say.
Thanks for the mention, fatmaw! My absence has been due to adjusting to a lot of newness, including a new job. So all is well other than I miss the blog time... both writing AND reading!
Lioness...it's good have you around. What sorta job do you have?
Married life is good. My wife just received her Green Card last Monday...so that's a huge load off our shoulders for now. We are traveling to Germany next week. I'll stay for one week...she's staying for another month. So it'll actually be nice to have a little alone time...but I'm sure after a week or so, I'll me missen her. Well, don't make yourself a stranger around here. Take care.
Hi, it was great hearing from you over in my neck of the woods.
Personally, I think the kind of money they are paying for a little more than half a season if insane.
But on the other hand, if he can even slightly resemble the pitcher he was the past two seasons of playing a shortened season then the Yankees will be happy with the move.
born..I think you have missed the point of my blog...as most others have also, so don't feel badly for it. I pointed out that George has the right to spend his money. However, the blog was about the ego of Clemens. He does exactly what he wants, when he wants, with who he wants. And then he proclaims to the masses at Yankee Stadium that he has come to their rescue. This wasn't about the money...it was about the ego!!!
You should post some of your blogs from the other site over here. I think you would enjoy it here again. It's been a lot better. We still battle with Ultra...but after Dusty, he seems tame. Good to see ya!!!!
fatmaw1 (Matt) ......... I just hope for their sake the addition of Clemens will go a long way in rectifying the inherent problems they have with the pitching. If they should fail to make it into the postseason then it'll have been altogether a futile exercise on their path. As their ultimate goal is to win the World Series.
I cant stand the Yankees but you cant say that they arent trying to win or accuse their leadership of not giving them the tools they need to win which is rare in the sports world. Roger is ofcourse an ego-maniac but how many people that are that good at something arent? Its a personality trait for most people (not all, but most) who have an undying drive to win or succeed.
I get tired of the is he going to come back or not just like everyone else but ESPN showed that he had the best ERA in baseball from the time he joined the season last year. With that said can you really blame them for going out and getting him?
jgrace..that's an interesting website. I would be interested in knowing how they come up with those numbers. If they're true...it is definitely mind boggling. Thanks.
fatmaw - At the top of the page, there's a link labeled "click here for Data Sources". If you click on the link, you're taken to a page that explains how they obtained the data. There are links to many different reports that they pulled from. I haven't taken a look at any of those reports. But, feel free to check it out and fill me in!
Hello sports fans. My name is Matt Faw. I am from North Wilkesboro, NC. North Wilkesboro is a small town about 90 miles north of Charlotte, NC. I am a United States Marine and was very happy when we were able to follow college and professional football while deployed to Iraq in 2004. I am a die-hard Tar Heel fan. I actually grew up a huge Oakland Raider fan, a closet Chicago Bears fan, and came to be a die-hard Carolina Panthers fan after their inception into the league in 1995. Needless to say, the Raiders nor the Bears have given me much to cheer about over the years, with the exception of few good years. The Panthers have been more competitive on a more consistent basis over the past ten years than either the Raiders or the Bears. Debate on fellow sportsters. mattfaw@gmail .com
