January 11, 2004
Clemens an Astro?
Will Carroll reported yesterday, as did the Houston Chronicle, that a some kind of deal is in place between the Astros and Clemens. Will thinks it's done, the Chronicle thinks it's done between the Astros and Clemens' agent, but Roger has to decide if he wants to play or retire.
If I were a normal, mortal Astro, part of this deal would bother me:
It is expected that Clemens will not be required to travel with the team if he is not pitching in a specific series and that the Astros will attempt to give him extra rest and to allow him to pitch at home more than on the road.
I think the extra rest is a great idea, a perfect way to use an aging but good starter. I detest the special treatment of not traveling with the team, however. I've heard my whole life that there is no I in team (although there is one in Timo). If Roger is going to play, he should be part of the team, and not just a side show.
Does he get to keep the Hummer the Yankees gave him for his "retirement"?
Clemens? If he plays for the Astros... he'll be dead to me.
I am sure the Houston's local Hummer dealer will take care of that if the deal is inked.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1686759
To me it's all posturing. If you are making millions (or in Rocket's case, $10M+), the cost of a Hummer is like an afterthought. For any sane person to be "worried about 'oh the Yankees will be taking back that retirement gift'" is just illogical. Perhaps Clemens just want to see how much he can extract from Drayton McLane.
And here's my thought on "special treatment." I thought Kevin Brown's 7-year $105M + use of executive jets was bad. If what is reported about Roger's contract is true, it takes special treatment to a new level. But you know what, clubhouse chemistry is overrated. If you win, chemistry is good. If don't win, people are quick to point fingers....
Ah, at least the Yankees will sit in Yankee Hell until Feb. 23.
There may not be an "I" in "Team" but there IS a "Me."
I also heard a rumor (I don't remember where I read it, so I don't have the source) that Maddux would want similar special treatment if he played at a discounted price with the Cubs. Basically he would still pitch on schedule, but he wouldn't travel to road series that he wasn't pitching in. Like you David, I don't like this idea, even as a Cubs fan.
There is no I in team but there is a ME. :-)
Seriously, I am sure that Bagwell, Biggio were consulted before this was agreed to. Although I do not like this special treatment stuff, it is only for 1 year, it is for a HOF PITCHER (not an everyday player) and more importantly the Astros felt a real need and approached Roger and not the other way around. If Rger felt he had leverage, he used it for this special treatment rather than more money.
Maddux is quite different. He wants days off to play golf.
as an stros fan, i sure am glad to see roger. (of course bags and biggio were consulted. like duh. they run this team and everybody here knows it) it will be great for ticket sales. like nolan ryan with the rangers. but you have to remember that he is pretty old (sorry david) and might get tired if he has to fly the night before his start. so they probably are going to help him on that. this doesn't mean he won't go on road trips for goodness sake. i know he'll get some time off if he's not pitching and one of his kidz is playing. so of course, that would be at home.
and for all you yankee fans who are so mad- i don't think he did this to give you all the finger. it is time to stop being so #@*& sexist. if it's a woman's perogative to change her mind, then men should have equal rights.