Happy Birthday Roger Clemens!!

Happy Birthday Roger Clemens!!

Roger Clemens turns 52 years old today.

And I have to imagine that if he wanted to, he could come back and still perform for any one of the playoff contenders out there right now!  Luckily there appears to be no interest in that happening…

I used to love watching ‘Rocket’ pitch.  To  this day I have never seen a more dominant pitcher in the game that was able to maintain that kind of success throughout the majority of their career.  As great as Dwight Gooden, Orel Hershiser, and Randy Johnson were, each of them saw a significant drop-off in their ability to out perform all opponents at some point in their careers.  But not Clemens, he was truly in a league of his own when it came to posting successful year after year.   12 years of 200+ strikeouts and 17+ wins certainly backs up that claim.

With all of the recent news that surrounds Clemens’ name and his issues with both illegal PED usage and court issues in the same vein, I find it heart-breaking that a player with his kind of resume is first thought of for the ‘bad’ that he did.  It is so sad that his name has been added to the long list of fallen superstars – and he did it all to himself…

Still one of my favorites, but it is hard to let it slide as well.

Happy Birthday Mr. Clemens!!!

2003 HEADLINE: ‘Rocket’ Roger Clemens Wins 300th Game Of Major League Career

2003 HEADLINE: ‘Rocket’ Roger Clemens Wins 300th Game Of Major League Career

On this day in 2003, Roger Clemens recorded the 300th win of his major league baseball career.

At home and hosting the St. Louis Cardinals as part of baseball’s inter-league play, Clemens took the hill for the New York Yankees in hopes of picking up win #300 in front of his home crowd. And 55,000+ fans witnessed baseball history!!

In the contest, Clemens went 6 2/3 inning and picked up the win. While on the mound, he allowed 6 hits and 2 runs while striking out 10 and walking just 2 batters. Vintage Clemens was on display and this win put him in another class of ‘elite pitching greats’.

Congratulations ‘Rocket’!!!

1984 HEADLINE: Roger Clemens Wins First Major League Game

1984 HEADLINE: Roger Clemens Wins First Major League Game

On this day back in 1984, Roger Clemens won his first major league baseball game.

With his team on the road in Minnesota, the Boston Red Sox were battling the Minnesota Twins. Clemens needed just 131 minutes to earn victory number 1 of his career.

Against a solid Twins team, Clemens pitched 7 strong innings in the 5-4 win. He allowed 7 hits and 4 runs during the contest. He also showed off his ability to dominate hitters with his powerful pitching and sharp control as he struck out 7 batters while walking just 1.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Clemens. Win #1 of your 354 career victories came on this day 30 years ago!!!

Happy Birthday Roger Clemens!!

Happy Birthday Roger Clemens!!

Roger Clemens turns 51 years old today.

And I have to imagine that if he wanted to, he could come back and still perform for any one of the playoff contenders out there right now!  Luckily there appears to be no interest in that happening…

I used to love watching ‘Rocket’ pitch.  To  this day I have never seen a more dominant pitcher in the game that was able to maintain that kind of success throughout the majority of their career.  As great as Dwight Gooden, Orel Hershiser, and Randy Johnson were, each of them saw a significant drop-off in their ability to out perform all opponents at some point in their careers.  But not Clemens, he was truly in a league of his own when it came to posting successful year after year.   12 years of 200+ strikeouts and 17+ wins certainly backs up that claim.

With all of the recent news that surrounds Clemens’ name and his issues with both illegal PED usage and court issues in the same vein, I find it heart-breaking that a player with his kind of resume is first thought of for the ‘bad’ that he did.  It is so sad that his name has been added to the long list of fallen superstars – and he did it all to himself…

Still one of my favorites, but it is hard to let it slide as well.

Happy Birthday Mr. Clemens!!!

2003 HEADLINE: ‘Rocket’ Roger Clemens Wins 300th Game Of Major League Career

2003 HEADLINE: ‘Rocket’ Roger Clemens Wins 300th Game Of Major League Career

On this day in 2003, Roger Clemens recorded the 300th win of his major league baseball career.

At home and hosting the St. Louis Cardinals as part of baseball’s inter-league play, Clemens took the hill for the New York Yankees in hopes of picking up win #300 in front of his home crowd. And 55,000+ fans witnessed baseball history!!

In the contest, Clemens went 6 2/3 inning and picked up the win. While on the mound, he allowed 6 hits and 2 runs while striking out 10 and walking just 2 batters. Vintage Clemens was on display and this win put him in another class of ‘elite pitching greats’.

Congratulations ‘Rocket’!!!

1984 HEADLINE: Roger Clemens Wins First Major League Game

1984 HEADLINE: Roger Clemens Wins First Major League Game

On this day back in 1984, Roger Clemens won his first major league baseball game.

With his team on the road in Minnesota, the Boston Red Sox were battling the Minnesota Twins. Clemens needed just 131 minutes to earn victory number 1 of his career.

Against a solid Twins team, Clemens pitched 7 strong innings in the 5-4 win. He allowed 7 hits and 4 runs during the contest. He also showed off his ability to dominate hitters with his powerful pitching and sharp control as he struck out 7 batters while walking just 1.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Clemens. Win #1 of your 354 career victories came on this day 26 years ago!!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #2 – Roger Clemens 2006 Topps ‘Rookie Of The Week’ – 1985 Topps Design

Baseball Card Show Purchase #2 – Roger Clemens 2006 Topps ‘Rookie Of The Week’ – 1985 Topps Design

There was no way that I was going to let this one escape me.  I am a huge fan of the 1985 Topps set, and I have picked up some great re-prints featuring that design over the last few years.

This card of Roger Clemens comes from the 2006 Topps ‘Rookie Of The Week’ set.

Have a look:

If you ask me, the image used on this one is better than the original.  And while this one is very sweet, it cannot replace the original that I already have in my collection. 

But it sure does accompany it very well…

Happy Birthday Roger Clemens!!

Happy Birthday Roger Clemens!!

Roger Clemens turns 50 years old today.

And I have to imagine that if he wanted to, he could come back and still perform for any one of the playoff contenders out there right now!  Luckily there appears to be no interest in that happening…

I used to love watching ‘Rocket’ pitch.  To  this day I have never seen a more dominant pitcher in the game that was able to maintain that kind of success throughout the majority of their career.  As great as Dwight Gooden, Orel Hershiser, and Randy Johnson were, each of them saw a significant drop-off in their ability to out perform all opponents at some point in their careers.  But not Clemens, he was truly in a league of his own when it came to posting successful year after year.   12 years of 200+ strikeouts and 17+ wins certainly backs up that claim.

Happy Birthday Mr. Clemens!!!

Happy Anniversary Roger Clemens!!!

Happy Anniversary Roger Clemens!!!

On this day in 2003, Roger Clemens recorded the 300th win of his major league baseball career.

At home and hosting the St. Louis Cardinals as part of baseball’s inter-league play, Clemens took the hill for the New York Yankees in hopes of picking up win #300 in front of his home crowd.  And 55,000+ fans witnessed baseball history!!

In the contest, Clemens went 6 2/3 inning and picked up the win.  While on the mound, he allowed 6 hits and 2 runs while striking out 10 and walking just 2 batters.  Vintage Clemens was on display and this win put him in another class of ‘elite pitching greats’.

Congratulations ‘Rocket’!!!

Happy Anniversary Roger Clemens!!!

Happy Anniversary Roger Clemens!!!

On this day back in 1984, Roger Clemens won his first major league baseball game.

With his team on the road in Minnesota, the Boston Red Sox were battling the Minnesota Twins.  Clemens needed just 131 minutes to earn victory number 1 of his career.

Against a solid Twins team, Clemens pitched 7 strong innings in the 5-4 win.  He allowed 7 hits and 4 runs during the contest.  He also showed off his ability to dominate hitters with his powerful pitching and sharp control as he struck out 7 batters while walking just 1.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Clemens.  Win #1 of your 354 career victories came on this day 26 years ago!!!