Roger Clemens does Extreme Makeover - Clubhouse edition

[jmcclain19]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...b/3941273.html

Clemens gives Lexington clubhouse extreme makeover

By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

LEXINGTON, Ky — Until Sunday afternoon, the home clubhouse at Applebee's Park wasn't much of a place to hang out. There was only one small television and an old, musty couch in the center. By Sunday evening, Roger Clemens had furnished the clubhouse with four new black leather couches, two love seats, a 42-inch plasma television, a 20-inch television, a microwave, DVD and a VCR.

As an added measure, Clemens hired a cleaning crew to have all the showers and counters scrubbed. When the Lexington Legends arrived from their trip at 3:30 a.m. Monday, they were stunned to see their new digs.

"We had a ratty old couch and a little TV," catcher David Kady said. "We walk in and there's all this here. It's awesome. You can't appreciate it enough."

Clemens, who will start for the Legends tonight and has been in Lexington with his eldest son Koby since Thursday, enlisted a group of 12 — including vice president of communications Jay Lucas and assistant of Florida operations Jay Edmiston — to go on the shopping trip to a local furniture store and Best Buy.

Out of respect for Clemens, Lucas wouldn't divulge how much Clemens spent. But the television is advertised for $2,069, and it's clear the total bill ran close to $7,000.

[KronoRed]

How much of that stuff doesn't get stolen before the year is over?

[macro]

How can Clemens afford to do this?

[KronoRed]

Originally Posted by macro

How can Clemens afford to do this?

The Astros are generous

[Virginia Beach Reds]

Roger is a generous guy. With his salary, he better lineup at the soup kitchen with that purchase. Poor guy, can't control his spending.

[toledodan]

Originally Posted by KronoRed

How much of that stuff doesn't get stolen before the year is over?

thats not the best area of town. if word gets out it won't take long.

[TeamBoone]

I don't particularly like Clemens, but that was a really nice thing to do.

I'm curious though... is the condition of that clubhouse common in the minor leagues? You'd think they (all teams) could at the least afford to clean them.

[Krusty]

Nice to see a major league pitcher remember where he started and was able to give back something to the young kids.

[Cedric]

Do they really need to talk about the price tag? Basically it was .01$$ for Clemens to get more pub.

[KronoRed]

Originally Posted by toledodan

thats not the best area of town. if word gets out it won't take long.

That's Lexington for ya

[macro]

Originally Posted by TeamBoone

I'm curious though... is the condition of that clubhouse common in the minor leagues? You'd think they (all teams) could at the least afford to clean them.

That puzzled me, as well. Applebee's park is brand new, in immaculate condition, and always very clean. Why would the clubhouse be any different? And why couldn't a professional baseball franchise afford to furnish the clubhouse better. None of this makes sense to me.

[Unassisted]

Originally Posted by TeamBoone

I'm curious though... is the condition of that clubhouse common in the minor leagues? You'd think they (all teams) could at the least afford to clean them.

When I was the same age as most Class A baseball players, my threshold for what constituted "dirty enough to require cleaning" was much higher than it is now. I suspect my view is not uncommon.

BTW, I think the Rocket is scheduled to make one or two more starts at higher levels of the Astros minor leagues. I'll bet the guys on those teams are hoping he'll work a little clubhouse magic on their places too.

[Chip R]

What, he couldn't get them a better bus like MJ did?

[RedFanAlways1966]

I betcha... his son gets the remote control on that 42" Plasma TV.

[KronoRed]

Originally Posted by RedFanAlways1966

I betcha... his son gets the remote control on that 42" Plasma TV.

And he only gives it up if he starts and bats 3rd