Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
January 26, 2004
Hurt Feelings

Roger Clemens had his feelings hurt at the New York BBWAA dinner:


The Rocket, who ended his "retirement" after 78 days to sign with the Houston Astros, was greeted with a mix of boos and cheers last night as he picked up the award at the New York Baseball Writers Association of America dinner at the Sheraton New York.

Yankee GM Brian Cashman presented the plaque to his former ace, who spent five seasons with the Yankees.

The reaction from Yankee fans and local media didn't sit well with Clemens, who won his 300th game and recorded his 4,000th strikeout in the same game last season.

"I don't see a lot of papers, but obviously I heard it once I made the commitment to go home," Clemens said. "I heard some of the things that were on the back pages and it was hurtful. It did bother me because I poured my heart out here and did the best I could."


Clemens played for some of the toughest fans around in Boston and New York for most of his career. What did he expect? I'm surprised Steinbrenner didn't fire Cashman for presenting the award!


Posted by David Pinto at 09:25 AM | Players | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Oh, BOOHOO!!! How could he expect anything other than boos from Yankee fans after what he did? Not that I'm blaming him for coming out of retirement - I'm not bitter about it (except for maybe the lost draft picks which we need so desperately), - but he pitched here long enough to know to expect it.

Posted by: sabernar at January 26, 2004 09:35 AM

Yankee fans who criticize Clemens are low class. The man gave everything he had to the Yankees and he decided he had enough and decided to retire to spend more time with his family.

The Astros made him an offer that LET HIM SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS FAMILY and continue to pitch. Something the Yankees could not offer him so he jumped at it.

I know it's shocking to Yankee fans that something doesn't go their way, usually they throw enough money around to buy whatever they want. But in this case, there is absolutely no reason for Yankee fans to take it out on Clemens.

Posted by: John Gibson at January 26, 2004 10:11 AM

Gee whiz, I hardly know who to feel more sorry for here. The long-suffering, well-mannered Yankee fans, or the cool, classy Clemens. (note the sarcasm)

Posted by: Matt Davis at January 26, 2004 02:06 PM

As a Yankee fan, I've got no problem with Roger coming out of retirement. Why shouldn't he? Yeah, it would be nice to have had those draft picks, but then Cashman, et al., should have just done what they needed to to get them -- just in case he unretired.

Posted by: Robert at January 26, 2004 02:07 PM

What bothers me about Clemens's signing is the personal service part of the contract. After he pitches this year, he is obligated to work in some capacity for the Astros for several years. He wants to go to the Hall with the Yankees while still working for the team he left them for? Doesn't make sense to me.

Posted by: Jim at January 26, 2004 02:36 PM

Whenver I saw the coverage of Clemens milestones in the Daily News I always knew that something was eerie, like the calm before the storm. As much as I wanted to believe that the fans in Toronto and Boston were wrong, I should have listened to the late, great Will McDonough. He saw Clemens for what he was - "the Texas Con Man". It isn't even about loyalty, every one should look out for "number 1", but Clemens is about as fake as they get. The Boss should have told Cashman not to present the award.

Posted by: Dom Cento at January 27, 2004 01:47 PM