BY CLAYTON RICHER – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
Believe it or not, this Saturday Roger Clemens will suit up for the Sugar Land Skeeters and take the bump against the Bridgeport Bluefish in the Atlantic League. The seven-time Cy Young award winner turned 50 years of age earlier this month and will attempt a comeback having last pitched in the majors in 2007 with the New York Yankees. Why is the Rocket doing this?
Sugar Land Skeeters President Matt O’Brien was quoted as saying “”Any time you can add a player of Roger’s caliber is extremely exciting, our inaugural season has been extremely memorable, and this is just going to add to it.” The Skeeters are no stranger to former major league talent as their manager is none other than All-Star Gary Gaetti and the Skeeters also have seen the likes of former major leaguers Scott Kazmir, Jason Lane and Tim Redding this season. The Skeeters currently sit in last place in the Liberty Division with a record of 18-19.
Clemens also realizes that the Houston Astros are by far and away the worst team in baseball and Astros fans could use an excuse to come to the ball park even if it is to see a 50-year-old man 20 years past his prime.
Clemens’ camp has stated that his fastball was in the mid 80′s after a bullpen session earlier this week. If he can pitch adequately for the Skeeters, then Clemens could potentially look to return to the Houston Astros as he is still has a good relationship with Astros owner Jim Crane.
By pitching in the majors this year Clemens would set his Hall Of Fame eligibility back five years which could buy him some time to repair his tarnished image in the media. Clemens would also have five more Christmas seasons to send fruit baskets to all the BBWA writers on the Hall of Fame voting committee.
Perhaps Clemens would like to play with his son Koby who is currently assigned to the Toronto Blue Jays Double A affiliate in New Hampshire. Koby may have a hard time even making the Skeeters roster as the 25-year-old is just batting over the Mendoza line in limited at bats with the Fisher Cats.
So if you were contemplating making the trek up to Sugar Land to witness Clemens and the new $37 million Constellation Field be prepared to fork out some dough. Tickets on Stub Hub range anywhere from $55 to $600 or you could just wait and go the following day and purchase tickets for $8.31 at the box office however you won’t get to witness the Rocket being launched.
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Clayton Richer is a baseball writer for Baseball Hot Corner, his interviews and blogs can be found daily at www.baseballhotcorner.com as well you can also follow him on twitter MLBHotCorner