Motivated by little more than the universal childhood dream to be a hometown hero, Roger Clemens is ending his retirement before it really began.
The temptation to try to help former New York Yankees teammate Andy Pettitte bring a World Series to Houston was too great for Clemens to resist. The 41-year-old Texas legend signed a one-year, $5 million contract Monday with the Houston Astros, who may have surpassed the Cubs as favorites in the National League Central.
“To add one of the greatest pitchers ever to put on a uniform is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. “His charisma, his character, his credibility is all going to take this franchise to a new level. . . . Here we come. It’s our turn.”
The Rocket has picked up all 310 of his career victories working for American League teams in the Northeast. Now he’ll spend the last year–or years–of his career pitching before family and friends at Minute Maid Park, about 12 miles from his home.
It had appeared that Clemens’ start in Game 4 of the World Series at Florida would be his last appearance, and he was given a memorable sendoff. But he is delaying retirement plans he announced last spring and affirmed throughout the 2003 season, when he went 17-9 for the Yankees.
“I had visions of coming down here and using my season tickets for a change and enjoying the stadium,” Clemens said. “When Andy signed, everything just started spilling over into my lap. It gained speed from there. . . . It’s a great team. These guys are solid, they’re strong.”
Pettitte, who signed a three-year contract a month ago, and Clemens combined for 169 victories during five years together with the Yankees. They figure to provide a major lift for a Houston team that won 87 games last season, finishing only one game behind the Cubs.
Though they are close friends, Pettitte was surprised that his signing in Houston prompted Clemens to return for a 21st season.
“There was no doubt in my mind he was done,” Pettitte said. “We’d talked about it too much. He was in shutdown mode. He was focused on that last game, and that was it. I wouldn’t have believed it until I heard him say `Maybe.'”
Arms race
How the Astros’ and Cubs’ probable rotations look for 2004
ASTROS
W-L ERA
Andy Pettitte 21-8 4.02
Roger Clemens 17-9 3.91
Roy Oswalt 10-5 2.97
Wade Miller 14-13 4.13
J. Robertson 15-9 5.10
Totals: 77-44 4.06
CUBS
W-L ERA
Mark Prior 18-6 2.43
Kerry Wood 14-11 3.20
Matt Clement 14-12 4.11
C. Zambrano 13-11 3.11
Juan Cruz 2-7 6.05
Totals: 61-47 3.39
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