Roger Clemens pitches Saturday

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Altor

Baseballhall.org says "Player shall have ceased to be an active player in the Major Leagues at least five (5) calendar years preceding the election but may be otherwise connected with baseball."

I'm pretty sure the Skeeters are not considered to be in the Major Leagues.

Obviously not. But there is speculation that Clemens is using this as a first step into getting back on the mound, perhaps with the Houston Astros, for a MLB game this year. That would push his HOF eligibility another five years down the road so that maybe, just maybe, sentiments on players suspected of using PEDs during their careers will have changed amongst sportswriters.

Can't blame him for trying. And as bad as the Astros are this year, they really have nothing to lose. The real question is whether or not they would welcome Clemens to the team if it's obvious why he wants to pitch again. And if they agree, I can already hear Bud Selig and company...

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Manny A

But there is speculation that Clemens is using this as a first step into getting back on the mound, perhaps with the Houston Astros, for a MLB game this year.

How sad. The Brett Favre of MLB.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Obviously not. But there is speculation that Clemens is using this as a first step into getting back on the mound, perhaps with the Houston Astros, for a MLB game this year. That would push his HOF eligibility another five years down the road so that maybe, just maybe, sentiments on players suspected of using PEDs during their careers will have changed amongst sportswriters.

Can't blame him for trying. And as bad as the Astros are this year, they really have nothing to lose. The real question is whether or not they would welcome Clemens to the team if it's obvious why he wants to pitch again. And if they agree, I can already hear Bud Selig and company...

He would obviously be welcome to the team - they supported him throughout the entire legal process.

[JugglingReferee]

Good for Clemens. If he still wants to play baseball, and he's useful to someone, let him do it. Life is a verb. Time doesn't go backwards. He might regret not trying.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Good for Clemens. If he still wants to play baseball, and he's useful to someone, let him do it. Life is a verb. Time doesn't go backwards. He might regret not trying.

Lovely sentiment. They guy's 50, and he's no Jamie Moyer. Sad.

[APG]

Originally Posted by Manny A

And as bad as the Astros are this year, they really have nothing to lose. The real question is whether or not they would welcome Clemens to the team if it's obvious why he wants to pitch again. And if they agree, I can already hear Bud Selig and company...

I think the Astros would do it in a heartbeat just for the ticket sales alone. And it seems to me that Selig can't do anything about it if he tried.

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Good for Clemens. If he still wants to play baseball, and he's useful to someone, let him do it. Life is a verb. Time doesn't go backwards. He might regret not trying.

I agree with this...if he wants to play and someone is willing to have him on their team, then good for him and he shouldn't stop playing unless it's on his terms or no one wants to take him anymore.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Good for Clemens. If he still wants to play baseball, and he's useful to someone, let him do it. Life is a verb. Time doesn't go backwards. He might regret not trying.

Gimme a break. He hasn't thrown a pitch in professional ball at any level since the ALDS in 2007. If he really still wanted to play, he would've joined an independent league well before five years after his last appearance.

The timing of it all just doesn't give me the impression that he's doing this for love of the game. Sounds like it's more for love of Roger.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by Manny A

The timing of it all just doesn't give me the impression that he's doing this for love of the game. Sounds like it's more for love of Roger.

Exactly. He is trying to get the public sentiment vote out. Plus in the end, Andy Pettite showed he lacked the balls to tell the truth also. Their whole case was against Brian McNamee's credibility.

I hope the liars get kept out of the HOF for many years to come.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Gimme a break. He hasn't thrown a pitch in professional ball at any level since the ALDS in 2007. If he really still wanted to play, he would've joined an independent league well before five years after his last appearance.

This might be the dumbest thing I've read in weeks. You are aware that he's been a little busy these past 4 years?

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

This might be the dumbest thing I've read in weeks. You are aware that he's been a little busy these past 4 years?

Pfft... maybe his highly paid shysters have been busy...

His acquittal is all the proof anyone needs that there is a difference between a legal verdict of "not guilty" and actual condition of being "innocent".

I think the theory that he is angling to reset the clock on his HOF eligibility so as to not appear for the first time along side Bonds, Sosa, and Piazza, plus push his final ballot appearance out to 20 years into the future is likely the actual motive here.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Pfft... maybe his highly paid shysters have been busy...

His acquittal is all the proof anyone needs that there is a difference between a legal verdict of "not guilty" and actual condition of being "innocent".

I think the theory that he is angling to reset the clock on his HOF eligibility so as to not appear for the first time along side Bonds, Sosa, and Piazza, plus push his final ballot appearance out to 20 years into the future is likely the actual motive here.

That wouldn't surprise me at all. I suspect that's part of the motive too.

[grunewar]

Roger Clemens exceeds expectations on mound ? USATODAY.com

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Dakota

His acquittal is all the proof anyone needs that there is a difference between a legal verdict of "not guilty" and actual condition of being "innocent".

I gather this translates to your "assumption of guilt" on his part?

If you should perchance end up as a defendant some day I hope your jury doesn't go on that premise.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

This might be the dumbest thing I've read in weeks. You are aware that he's been a little busy these past 4 years?

Doing what exactly? Sitting in jail? Tied up in courtrooms every day? C'mon, Mike. If he really wanted to play baseball so badly, why couldn't he sign up with an independent team way before now. Heck, his trial ended on June 18, and it took him over two months to get back out there?

I'm sure he had plenty of time between 2007 and now to take a shot or two on the mound to see if he could still compete.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Doing what exactly? Sitting in jail? Tied up in courtrooms every day? C'mon, Mike. If he really wanted to play baseball so badly, why couldn't he sign up with an independent team way before now. Heck, his trial ended on June 18, and it took him over two months to get back out there?

I'm sure he had plenty of time between 2007 and now to take a shot or two on the mound to see if he could still compete.

So you have to be in court everyday to be a little preoccupied to play professional baseball? Two trials and your life on the line, I doubt that playing baseball was the focus.

Peace