A response to SCZA's post about Roger Clemens:
1) His schedule
Ask most pro athletes the worst part of their job and they'll say the travel. I firmly believe Clemens' limited travel schedule was a contributing factor to why he did so well as a member of the Astros when he didn't have to make road trips or show up for games when he wasn't pitching. I think the Mets should try something similar with Pedro if he comes back this year, and for next year as well. He's never going to pinch hit or pinch run, so why not cut down on the stress on his body? I don't believe it fractures the team. And I think at some point in the future it'll be standard for starting pitchers to only be at the game when they are scheduled to pitch.
2) His innings
Cutting his season short by two months, plus no spring training, helps him stay at peak performance deeper into the season. Also, his best performances are no more than 7 innings. So in a mediocre performance he'll only go 5. If he averages 6 innings over 20 starts he'll be at 120 innings, and still have plenty left for the playoffs.
3) Steroids
Roger Clemens has definitely done steroids, it explains how he's been able to combat the aging process most pitchers experience. He also had a roid rage incident on the mound during the World Series. The fact that he keeps retiring means he has plenty of time to juice during the offseason, cycle off, juice again, cycle off, and get it all out of his system before he has to pee in the cup for MLB.
I expect Clemens to go 10-5 with a 3.20 ERA for the Yankees in the regular season, better stats ERA-wise than he put up for most of his previous stint with the Yankees. Postseason performance is anyone's guess.
Agree 100% re: steroids and your other points re: travel schedule, but I think you overlook that Clemens is returning to the AL East where the hitting is generally superior to the NL central.
ReplyDeleteIn his 5 years with the Yanks, the best ERA he posted was 3.51, and he was 6 years younger at the time. I think at 45 this is finally the year Clemens breaks down and does very little to help the free spending (and free falling) Yanks.
-Damiano
Damino, first of all, you should click the other button, instead of anonymous when commenting, then enter your name.
ReplyDeleteSecond of all, I consent that the American League is a better league and I'm willing to grant that his ERA will increase by more than a run compared to his recent NL numbers.
But I expect the reasons I mentioned in points 1 and 2, to protect his ERA so to speak, because he won't be pitching late in games when teams are getting a read on him, or when he's tired.
I guess his performance remains to be seen.
Will do. You make good points Paul. I just can't stand the Yankees and am trying to focus on his negatives, and in this case I don't think it's a given that they're going to get anywhere close to their money's worth. Then again, if the Mets had signed him I'd probably deny that he was on 'roids and predict a 1.5 era.
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