Rocket's presence could be of assistance

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Rocket's presence could be of assistance

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Funny that Roger Clemens' work schedule is now being held up for examination and earning criticism.

Little mention was made of it when he was with the Astros, but now that the venerable Yankees are involved, it's somewhat of a big deal.

It should have been a big deal in Houston. How could it not have been?

According to manager Phil Garner, it wasn't a big deal, but by last season there was rumbling on the team that Clemens was taking advantage of the privilege.

Used as a carrot to lure Clemens out of his 2 1/2 -month retirement in 2004, the "get out of off-day jail free" clause in his contract was all about allowing Clemens to do the things he otherwise would have to be retired to do. Like watching his sons play high school baseball.

By last season, Garner says, Clemens was showing up at the ballpark "maybe one day or two days in between starts, and then he was gone the rest of the time." Those family outings had seemingly expanded to more recreational pursuits.

"What sort of happened was we'd turn on the TV, and he's playing a golf tournament in Hollywood, so it evolved to be more than just seeing family," Garner said Wednesday on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike Show. "And that might have been a little bit of an issue. But it did not hurt our ballclub."

Didn't hurt? Maybe not. But did it help? Remember, the Astros finished just a game and a half behind St. Louis in the National League Central.

Talk-show fodder

Media and fans disparage athletes who show prima-donna tendencies. It's a running theme on sports-talk radio.

How many times have you heard, "There is no 'I' in team?" Well, clearly Clemens managed to find the "me" (second and fourth letters, if you don't see it).

Clemens was being paid — more than anyone else on the team, we might add — to help the team win as many games as possible. So how much help was he providing when he left the team so often?

Clemens isn't exactly a cheerleader, but he's probably headed toward a six-figure fee as a motivational speaker when he really does retire.

And some would have you believe he is some sort of pitching Yoda.

Every word from his mouth is special, or so I've read. They say young pitchers leave every conversation with him as better pitchers, better people.

A piece in this newspaper — "Rocket's presence invaluable" — said as much about Clemens' appearance at the Astros' spring training in February. The column even mentioned how Clemens enlightened one youngster about the importance of sleeping in a long-sleeved T-shirt.

"If you're sleeping under a ceiling fan, you don't want the cold air blowing on your pitching arm," Clemens reportedly told the major league hopeful.

His Astros teammates say Clemens drops that type of knowledge on them every time he opens his mouth.

If that's the case, could his more regular presence around the T-E-A-M have made a difference in, oh, two or three games last season? Could his showing up at the workplace more often have put the Astros past the Cardinals and given Houston a World Series parade instead of St. Louis?

Yes, it would be ridiculous to make that leap.

But check the critiques of Barry Bonds — prior to a single steroids allegation — and you'll find hints he has never led a team to a World Series champ-

ionship because he has a lea-

ther recliner in the clubhouse.

World will be watching

Let's see how often Clemens shows up at Yankees games. Bet he is there more than he was with the Astros. Why? More of the world will be watching (plus, flights to those West Coast golf tournaments are twice as long).

There were some of you who thought the media were harassing Clemens when every time he was seen in public during the offseason a camera was put in his face and he was asked about his possible return.

But Garner says Clemens loved the attention.

Well, he is certainly getting it in New York. On Wednesday, New York Newsday posted a minute-by-minute breakdown of Clemens' workout at the University of Kentucky.

[Guest WBFan09]

i told yall a few months ago...a few games of golf is not gonna help him decide anything

[Guest WBFan09]

the way i look at it now we have more than 18 mill to go out and get even more hitters

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8)

[Guest WBFan09]

the yankees need Roger more than they need anyone with the way their starting pitching is looking