Roger Clemens: Is He Really a Yankee Traitor?
As the Mets fan mentioned in the description of this blog, it seems only natural that my first post be about the Yankees; more specifically, about a former Yankee. I am, of course, referring to the now un-retired (you'll have to pardon me for taking some liberties with the English language) Roger Clemens.
If you've been anywhere near a newspaper or sports radio station in New York over the past few days, you would probably have the impression that Roger Clemens is the biggest scoundrel to have ever donned a baseball uniform. While Mets fans are having a good laugh and salivating at the thought of Roger Clemens having to hit against one of their pitchers, Yankees fans are expressing their outrage over Clemens' decision to put off retirement, at least for one more year, and sign with his hometown Houston Astros.
In typical "New Yawk" fashion, some of the comments from disgruntled Yankee fans that were interviewed had to be censored by the local papers:
"I am so [bleeping] unhappy.I think that [Andy] Pettitte leaving was the deciding factor for Clemens. I don't think Clemens would have went through with it."
"It shows a lack of integrity. If you're going to retire, stay retired."
OK, this is the comment that puzzles me. Lack of integrity? Did anyone question the integrity of Michael Jordan when he returned to the NBA after his brief and undistinguished stretch as a "professional" baseball player? Did anyone question the integrity of Mario Lemieux when he returned to the NHL after retiring? In both cases, fans of their respective sports were so happy to have them back, integrity was the furthest thing from their minds.
I wouldn't go so far as to say that Roger Clemens means as much to baseball as either of the aforementioned individuals do their sports, but he is one of the best, if not the best pitcher in the modern era of baseball. Shouldn't the desire to see a Hall of Fame career continue be enough to earn him a pass with the fans?
What, are you kidding? This is New Yawk, ya friggin' moron!
When you think about it, where else but in the "What have you done for me lately?" Big Apple could people blame a husband and father for wanting to be closer to his family? Roger Clemens' problem is that he's just in the wrong line of work. If he was a stock broker from Westchester who was putting in long hours at the office on Wall Street before suddenly deciding to leave it all behind to work closer to home so he could spend more time with his family he would be applauded for such a decision.
The truth is, whether or not fans of the Yankees and the sports "journalists" who have to fill space every day choose to admit it, Roger Clemens made a decision that any one of them would have made, given the opportunity. Who among us wouldn't jump at the chance to play for our hometown team? I know I certainly would, and I would do it for considerably less than what the Astros are paying Clemens.
Let us not forget that Roger would probably still be retired, cruising around Houston in his shiny, new Hummer if George took a break from his courting of Gary Sheffield to make Andy Pettitte feel wanted. If the jilted Yankees fans are looking for a villain, look towards Tampa, not Houston.
If you've been anywhere near a newspaper or sports radio station in New York over the past few days, you would probably have the impression that Roger Clemens is the biggest scoundrel to have ever donned a baseball uniform. While Mets fans are having a good laugh and salivating at the thought of Roger Clemens having to hit against one of their pitchers, Yankees fans are expressing their outrage over Clemens' decision to put off retirement, at least for one more year, and sign with his hometown Houston Astros.
In typical "New Yawk" fashion, some of the comments from disgruntled Yankee fans that were interviewed had to be censored by the local papers:
"I am so [bleeping] unhappy.I think that [Andy] Pettitte leaving was the deciding factor for Clemens. I don't think Clemens would have went through with it."
"It shows a lack of integrity. If you're going to retire, stay retired."
OK, this is the comment that puzzles me. Lack of integrity? Did anyone question the integrity of Michael Jordan when he returned to the NBA after his brief and undistinguished stretch as a "professional" baseball player? Did anyone question the integrity of Mario Lemieux when he returned to the NHL after retiring? In both cases, fans of their respective sports were so happy to have them back, integrity was the furthest thing from their minds.
I wouldn't go so far as to say that Roger Clemens means as much to baseball as either of the aforementioned individuals do their sports, but he is one of the best, if not the best pitcher in the modern era of baseball. Shouldn't the desire to see a Hall of Fame career continue be enough to earn him a pass with the fans?
What, are you kidding? This is New Yawk, ya friggin' moron!
When you think about it, where else but in the "What have you done for me lately?" Big Apple could people blame a husband and father for wanting to be closer to his family? Roger Clemens' problem is that he's just in the wrong line of work. If he was a stock broker from Westchester who was putting in long hours at the office on Wall Street before suddenly deciding to leave it all behind to work closer to home so he could spend more time with his family he would be applauded for such a decision.
The truth is, whether or not fans of the Yankees and the sports "journalists" who have to fill space every day choose to admit it, Roger Clemens made a decision that any one of them would have made, given the opportunity. Who among us wouldn't jump at the chance to play for our hometown team? I know I certainly would, and I would do it for considerably less than what the Astros are paying Clemens.
Let us not forget that Roger would probably still be retired, cruising around Houston in his shiny, new Hummer if George took a break from his courting of Gary Sheffield to make Andy Pettitte feel wanted. If the jilted Yankees fans are looking for a villain, look towards Tampa, not Houston.
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