newjerseynewsroom.com

BY DAVE RAGAZZO

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Could Roger Clemens’ baseball career get any stranger?

The former Yankee, who also played for the Red Sox, Blue Jays and Astros during his 23-year career, was once seen as the most dominant pitcher of his era. His stats could certainly back that claim, but steroid accusations are a dark cloud that taints his career.

Just two months after he was acquitted of charges of lying to Congress about using steroids, Clemens has made news again.

The 7-time Cy Young Award winner will pitch for the Independent Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League. Clemens did not make a formal announcement but his attorney Randy Hendricks spoke on “The Rocket’s” behalf.

"It is at this point a fun, local, one-time kind of thing," Hendricks said via email according to USA Today. "If he does well, he will probably make at least one more home start. He threw 87 mph today with four pitches working, so he looks good to go at this point."

The Skeeters, who have already brought in former big leaguers such as Scott Kazmir, watched the 50-year-old Clemens throw a bullpen before signing him on Monday. He will pitch for Sugar Land Saturday against the Bridgeport Bluefish. A decision will be made on his future after Saturday’s game.

Despite his age and extended absence from the game, Clemens’ new manager Gary Gaetti knows all too well how explosive Clemens can be. Gaetti played in the major leagues for 20 years and had a career batting average of .194 in 67 at bats against Clemens.

He was quick to point out that this was not a publicity stunt by the Skeeters, who are right in the middle of a heated playoff race.

“This is not a publicity stunt,” Gaetti said Monday. “He’s going to go out there and pitch.”

Others on the team share their manager’s enthusiasm for Clemens. Jason Lane, a former big leaguer who played with Clemens on the Astros World Series team in 2005, knows that Clemens will go out and give it his all, even for a small minor league team.

“I’d expect him to be Roger,” Lane said. “I think if he thinks he can do it, I’d have to believe he’s going to compete at a high level.”’

Clemens would be eligible for the Hall of Fame this year as long as he does not make a return to the major leagues. If he throws just one pitch for a big league club, he will have to wait another five years being put on the ballot.

Despite boasting a 354-184 record and tallying 4,672 strikeouts during his career, Clemens could still be a long shot to even make the Hall of Fame. Since the Steroid Era was uncovered by the Mitchell Report, guys who have been even suspected of using steroids have not gotten any recognition with the baseball writers.

Regardless, Gaetti knows just what Clemens can do and is fully expecting him to be the same guy he was during his storied career.

“It’s almost like he can will certain things to happen,” Gaetti said. We’re in a playoff-run situation, so I’m sure he doesn’t want to embarrass himself or us.”