Clemens Signs with the Yankees

Necro

VIP Room Moderator

NEW YORK -- Roger Clemens is a Yankee.

With those five words, displayed on Yankee Stadium's matrix screen in a surprise announcement during the seventh-inning stretch on Sunday, the 44-year-old right-hander ended all the speculation and confirmed his return to the Bronx.

The Yankees officially announced that they have signed Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, to a Minor League contract.

Following the playing of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," public-address announcer Bob Sheppard instructed the crowd to draw its attention to the owner's box and the video screen.

The image of Clemens, holding a microphone, drew a loud ovation from the crowd at the game between the Mariners and Yankees, but his comments would soon be drowned out by an even more raucous ovation from the paid attendance of 52,553.

"It's a privilege to be back," Clemens said. "I'll be talking to you all soon."

Clemens returns to the Yankees, where he pitched from 1999 through 2003, serving as a member of two World Series championship teams in 1999 and 2000.

As a Yankee, Clemens -- who was originally acquired from the Blue Jays prior to the 1999 season in exchange for Homer Bush, Graeme Lloyd and David Wells -- compiled a record of 77-36 with a 3.99 ERA, striking out 946 batters in 157 starts.

On June 21, 2003, Clemens became the 21st pitcher in Major League history to reach the 300-win milestone, while also recording his 4,000th career strikeout in a 5-2 victory over the Cardinals.

Clemens made 19 starts for the Astros last season, posting a 7-6 record with a 2.30 ERA after signing a Minor League contract on May 31, reprising his role as the Astros' in-season acquisition after going 13-8 with a career-best 1.87 ERA in 32 starts for Houston in 2005.

Dating back to this past offseason, Clemens had declined to say if he expected to pitch at all in 2007, but he hedged his bets by saying through his representatives, Alan and Randy Hendricks, that he would consider playing for only the Yankees, Astros or Red Sox.

Clemens, who also said that he would pitch only for a team with hopes of playoff contention, will join a Yankees club that has seen its starting pitching suffer through an extended stretch of inconsistency and injuries.

Clemens' good friend, Andy Pettitte, has twice been pressed into relief action to help out a beleaguered bullpen, while Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Jeff Karstens, Phil Hughes and Carl Pavano have all spent time on the disabled list.

Pavano, the Yankees' Opening Day starter on April 2, is expected to be a possibility to miss the remainder of the season, which created an even more glaring void for the Rocket's liftoff to fill.

Clemens would likely need a series of Minor League appearances in order to prepare for Major League action. The future Hall of Fame right-hander is expected to be made available later in the afternoon Sunday for further comment.

Clemens ranks second all time among Major League pitchers with 172 career strikeouts in the postseason, behind only Atlanta's John Smoltz (194). He leads all active Major League pitchers in wins, strikeouts, games started (690), innings pitched (4,817 2/3), complete games (118) and shutouts (46).

Killswitch

At least he chose the right team to come back to this time.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

We all knew this was coming. It sickened me to watch the Yankee announcers act like it was out of the blue.

Anyway, he pitched really well last year, so why not? Their staff is in shambles.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

28 Million Pro-Rated. Only a fool would turn that down.


Good luck Roger. I hope you win every start while the rest of the rotations arms fall off. You took the money and ran. Thats fine, but don't go crying in the offseason when the Sox take the AL East by 20 games.

Jayman

Super Moderator

Well, the Yankees big hole was in starting pitching. This will certainly help, but not fix the problem. They still need some more help at the mound.

The following people rock:
Guardian Devil
Duke
God
PeaceSells
A-Bomb
Simon

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

They have Petitte, Wang, Mussina, Hughes and Clemens. For all the whining Yankee fans do, name me some other teams with a staff that has names like those.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

Beckett, Schilling, Dice-K, Wakefield, Lester

Jayman

Super Moderator

Bonderman, Robertson, Verlander, Rogers, Maroth

The following people rock:
Guardian Devil
Duke
God
PeaceSells
A-Bomb
Simon

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

What I'm trying to say is that 95% of the teams in the majors have to live with what they have.

Welcome home Roger? Wtf? He was there for 4 years.

Slimdust

Im no Roger fan, but i can imagine all the spolied yankee fans being actually happy and excited for the first time this season.. I hope Roger tears something early so I can see the yankee fans cry some more..