Clemens: 'Right now, I don't see myself playing' - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

savafan · 03-08-2006, 02:02 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/s...e=MLBHeadlines

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Roger Clemens said Monday that he plans to retire after the World Baseball Classic ends later this month, according to a story in Tuesday's edition of USA Today.

"Right now, I don't see myself playing," Clemens told the newspaper on Monday. "I'm not going to start the season with anyone. I made my mind up. And when I do shut it down, I'll be walking away with a smile on my face. There will be no regrets, because I feel like I've done it the right way."

Clemens, who turns 44 in August, left himself an out, however. He could sign with a team -- most likely a contender -- later this summer.

Clemens is scheduled to start for Team USA on Friday against South Africa in pool play in the World Baseball Classic.

The Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have all expressed interest in Clemens pitching for them. He can't sign with Houston before May 1.

"It's very flattering that teams still want me," Clemens told USA Today, "but hopefully I can just fade away. I'm going to watch my sons play. I'll see Koby (a third baseman in the Astros organization) play a little bit and get my other one (Kory) out of high school. I'll stay active. There are a lot of things I want to do.

"But the only thing is if I'm sitting in the stands in Boston, or New York, or somewhere in May, and get the itch again, who knows what will happen?"

Clemens has 341 career victories and 4,502 career strikeouts. He led the major leagues with a 1.87 earned run average last season for the Astros.

He still has Houston, Texas, the New York Yankees and Boston pleading for him to pitch. He turns 44 in August, but he led the major leagues with a 1.87 earned run average last season pitching for the Astros.

"I'm proud of what I've accomplished in this game. I've been real lucky. But a big part of that is the people you meet along the way. Guys like Nolan [Ryan] and [Tom] Seaver and [Don] Drysdale and [Bob] Gibson. I probably talked four to five times with Ted Williams, which I consider special because he didn't like to talk to pitchers. I played nine holes of golf with Mickey Mantle before he passed.

"I think the boys here, especially the young ones, are going to have the experience of a lifetime."

KronoRed · 03-08-2006, 02:18 PM

He'll play

Chip R · 03-08-2006, 02:43 PM

Riiiiiiight.

gonelong · 03-08-2006, 02:45 PM

Leverage.

GL

registerthis · 03-08-2006, 02:45 PM

"Now pitching for the New York Yankees..."

RedFanAlways1966 · 03-08-2006, 02:50 PM

I'd have to say there is as much of a chance of him playing this year as there is of a World Series pitcher picking up the barrel of a broken bat and throwing in the direction of a good hitter who hit that pitcher well before that at-bat.

Surely we will never see a pitcher do something like that (for fear of being ejected, right?)?!??

realreds1 · 03-08-2006, 04:24 PM

I just wish he'd make up his mind and decide... I'm gettin' kinda sick of hearing this every spring.

Neo · 03-08-2006, 08:35 PM

Roger Clemens.. (see Barry Bonds 2005)..

Virginia Beach Reds · 03-08-2006, 10:28 PM

I wonder if he likes chili over spaghetti?

realreds1 · 03-09-2006, 07:05 PM

I like chili over spaghetti. You offerin'?

vaticanplum · 03-10-2006, 03:04 PM

Houston or bust, I think. Regardless we're going to hear if he has even the glimmer of a thought about it over the next few months.

03-08-2006, 02:02 PM	#1
savafan Maple SERP Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 17,486	Clemens: 'Right now, I don't see myself playing' http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/s...e=MLBHeadlines PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Roger Clemens said Monday that he plans to retire after the World Baseball Classic ends later this month, according to a story in Tuesday's edition of USA Today. "Right now, I don't see myself playing," Clemens told the newspaper on Monday. "I'm not going to start the season with anyone. I made my mind up. And when I do shut it down, I'll be walking away with a smile on my face. There will be no regrets, because I feel like I've done it the right way." Clemens, who turns 44 in August, left himself an out, however. He could sign with a team -- most likely a contender -- later this summer. Clemens is scheduled to start for Team USA on Friday against South Africa in pool play in the World Baseball Classic. The Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have all expressed interest in Clemens pitching for them. He can't sign with Houston before May 1. "It's very flattering that teams still want me," Clemens told USA Today, "but hopefully I can just fade away. I'm going to watch my sons play. I'll see Koby (a third baseman in the Astros organization) play a little bit and get my other one (Kory) out of high school. I'll stay active. There are a lot of things I want to do. "But the only thing is if I'm sitting in the stands in Boston, or New York, or somewhere in May, and get the itch again, who knows what will happen?" Clemens has 341 career victories and 4,502 career strikeouts. He led the major leagues with a 1.87 earned run average last season for the Astros. He still has Houston, Texas, the New York Yankees and Boston pleading for him to pitch. He turns 44 in August, but he led the major leagues with a 1.87 earned run average last season pitching for the Astros. "I'm proud of what I've accomplished in this game. I've been real lucky. But a big part of that is the people you meet along the way. Guys like Nolan [Ryan] and [Tom] Seaver and [Don] Drysdale and [Bob] Gibson. I probably talked four to five times with Ted Williams, which I consider special because he didn't like to talk to pitchers. I played nine holes of golf with Mickey Mantle before he passed. "I think the boys here, especially the young ones, are going to have the experience of a lifetime." __________________ This is the Cal Ripkin Jr. of typos. If you ask me to join your fantasy baseball league and I select Legolas in the first round, don't be angry at me. It's not my fault I've read up on the players and you haven't.

03-08-2006, 02:18 PM	#2
KronoRed The Lineups stink. Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West N. Carolina Posts: 55,349	Re: Clemens: 'Right now, I don't see myself playing' He'll play __________________ Go Gators!

03-08-2006, 02:43 PM	#3
Chip R Rally Onion! Join Date: May 2000 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 33,332	Re: Clemens: 'Right now, I don't see myself playing' Riiiiiiight. __________________ The Rally Onion wants 150 fans before Opening Day. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rally-...24872650873160

03-08-2006, 02:45 PM	#4
gonelong Score Early, Score Often Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,129	Re: Clemens: 'Right now, I don't see myself playing' Leverage. GL

03-08-2006, 02:45 PM	#5
registerthis Harry Chiti Fan Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 5,872	Re: Clemens: 'Right now, I don't see myself playing' "Now pitching for the New York Yankees..." __________________ We'll burn that bridge when we get to it.

03-08-2006, 02:50 PM	#6
RedFanAlways1966 For a Level Playing Field Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Oakwood, OH Posts: 11,302	Re: Clemens: 'Right now, I don't see myself playing' I'd have to say there is as much of a chance of him playing this year as there is of a World Series pitcher picking up the barrel of a broken bat and throwing in the direction of a good hitter who hit that pitcher well before that at-bat. Surely we will never see a pitcher do something like that (for fear of being ejected, right?)?!?? __________________ Small market fan... always hoping, but never expecting.

03-08-2006, 04:24 PM	#7
realreds1 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 664	Re: Clemens: 'Right now, I don't see myself playing' I just wish he'd make up his mind and decide... I'm gettin' kinda sick of hearing this every spring.

03-08-2006, 08:35 PM	#8
Neo Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Findlay,Ohio Posts: 1,808	Re: Clemens: 'Right now, I don't see myself playing' Roger Clemens.. (see Barry Bonds 2005).. __________________ "As long as I have fun playing, the stats will take care of themselves." - Ken Griffey Jr.

03-08-2006, 10:28 PM	#9
Virginia Beach Reds Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Milford, OH Posts: 1,655	Re: Clemens: 'Right now, I don't see myself playing' I wonder if he likes chili over spaghetti? __________________ VBR IS LIVING IN CINCINNATI...I FEEL GOOD!

03-09-2006, 07:05 PM	#10
realreds1 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 664	Re: Clemens: 'Right now, I don't see myself playing' I like chili over spaghetti. You offerin'?

03-10-2006, 03:04 PM	#11
vaticanplum Has big taste Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 6,730	Re: Clemens: 'Right now, I don't see myself playing' Houston or bust, I think. Regardless we're going to hear if he has even the glimmer of a thought about it over the next few months. __________________ There is no such thing as a pitching prospect.

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