Rocket Launch 2007

Tomorrow, Saturday 09-June, is supposed to be when Roger Clemens makes his major league debut this season, starting for the Yankees against Pittsburgh.

I'm glad he's going to be back on the mound. I just don't much care for the uniform he'll be wearing.

Yes, I am a Red Sox fan of long standing, and so, in a good-natured, love-the-game way, I hate the Yankees. It's nothing personal; I've never hated any individual Yankee player (except Bernie Williams, and that was for baseball reasons). And it's not like Clemens hasn't worn the pinstripes before. This time, however, I really think he did not make the best choice of team for which to play.

Clemens made no secret that, were he to come back in 2007 (and I never, never doubted that he would), it would be with the Yankees, Red Sox, or Astros, where he had pitched since 2004.

Looking at these teams in turn:

Boston simply doesn't need him. The Sox have a huge lead in the AL East, and while no lead is ever big enough until the magic number reaches zero, it has to feel good to be sitting, not only on top, but seeing the Yanks down in fourth, sometimes fifth (dead last) place. So, while Clemens would have looked great -- perfect, really -- wearing the Fenway whites again, it was not necessary for the team to get him.

The Astros, well, I kinda figured this year was doomed. They staggered badly last year, only staying in contention because the Cardinals were so weak as well, and the 2007 team was going to be Biggio's march to 3000 hits. (Aside: and that's what the team is doing. Bidge is clearly on the very cusp of being washed up, and his presence atop the lineup is one reason why the team is doing so poorly. He's not all of the cause, but he isn't helping. Hurry up and get him to 3000, maybe around 3015 for the respectability of it, and then sit him down.) Clemens in Houston would help, sure, and he's got plenty of ancillary reasons to play there -- I'll detail in another post soon -- that I thought he would find compelling. But not so, this year.

So, the Yankees... nearly $200 million in payroll, and losing. This team simply has not come together like many expected, and has dug itself into so large a hole that nothing is likely to help. They paid a fortune for Rocket's services (and I honestly do not care how much he earns; one, he's worth it, and two, it was willingly offered. The Yankees can afford doing things like this), but it won't be enough. I'm not here to diagnose the Yankees' woes (and actually find it somewhat amusing, but that's a topic for another time), but I expect the 2008 team will be significantly different, and that Clemens won't be a part of it. There's still a lot of the season left to play, but it's not looking too well in the Bronx, Rocket or not.

So Clemens is coming back, but his impact will necessarily be limited. For that, and other reasons, I would have much rather seen him in Houston. Ah well; good luck in Noo Yawk, Roger (except against Boston). Come back again in 2008.

Yes, I think he will. And in 2009. But those are posts for another time.