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'''William Roger Clemens''', nicknamed "Rocket", is a [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher. He is unofficially retired after spending the 2007 season with the [[New York Yankees]]. He has also spent time with the [[Boston Red Sox]], [[Toronto Blue Jays]] and [[Houston Astros]]. In recent years, Clemens has defended himself against allegations that he used performance enhancing drugs after being named in the [[Mitchell report]].<ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3153509</ref>

'''William Roger Clemens''', nicknamed "Rocket", is a [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher. He is unofficially retired after spending the 2007 season with the [[New York Yankees]]. He has also spent time with the [[Boston Red Sox]], [[Toronto Blue Jays]] and [[Houston Astros]]. In recent years, Clemens has defended himself against allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs after being named in the [[Mitchell report]].<ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3153509</ref>

==Amateur career==

==Amateur career==

After a four year career at Spring Woods High School(Texas), Clemens spent a year at San Jacinto College North. He was drafted by the [[New York Mets]] but opted to continue his collegiate career at the [[University of Texas]]. Clemens spent two years at the University, being named an All-American both years and taking the team to the 1983 College World Series title. He lost out on the Most Outstanding Player award to teammate Calvin Schiraldi. At the conclusion of the tournament, Clemens was selected by the Red Sox in the first round of the 1983 baseball amateur draft.

After a four-year career at Spring Woods High School(Texas), Clemens spent a year at San Jacinto College North. He was drafted by the [[New York Mets]] but opted to continue his collegiate career at the [[University of Texas]]. Clemens spent two years at the University, being named an All-American both years and taking the team to the 1983 College World Series title. He lost out on the Most Outstanding Player award to teammate Calvin Schiraldi. At the conclusion of the tournament, Clemens was selected by the Red Sox in the first round of the 1983 baseball amateur draft.

==Professional career==

==Professional career==

In 1987, Clemens recorded another 20-win season and received his second straight AL Cy Young award. He had another strong year in 1988 as Boston returned to the playoffs. Clemens pitched well in Game 2 of the ALCS against [[the Oakland Athletics]], allowing three earned runs over seven innings in a game the team lost on their way to getting swept 4-0. Clemens led the team to their third AL East title in five years in 1990. They again played the Athletics in the ALCS. Clemens pitched six scorless innings in Game One and left with the lead, but the bullpen allowed Oakland to score nine runs to take the game. He returned in Game Four on three days rest with Boston facing another four game sweep. The outing turned out to be a short one, with Clemens getting ejected by home plate umpire Terry Cooney for arguing. Some have blamed him for letting the team down. Recalled Oakland pitcher [[Dave Stewart]]: You can't be thrown out of a game. The umpire gave him plenty of chances to decline his comments, and he still stayed with those comments, knowing he could get thrown out.<ref>Kroichick, Ron. "Clemens' ejection lasting image from past matchups"; ''San Francisco Chronicle'', September 30, 2003</ref> The Red Sox would lose the game 3-1 and the series 4-0. He received further criticism after complaining about the fact that he had to carry his own bags to the airport. Clemens continued his strong regular season performances by winning his third AL Cy Young in 1991.  

In 1987, Clemens recorded another 20-win season and received his second straight AL Cy Young award. He had another strong year in 1988 as Boston returned to the playoffs. Clemens pitched well in Game 2 of the ALCS against [[the Oakland Athletics]], allowing three earned runs over seven innings in a game the team lost on their way to getting swept 4-0. Clemens led the team to their third AL East title in five years in 1990. They again played the Athletics in the ALCS. Clemens pitched six scorless innings in Game One and left with the lead, but the bullpen allowed Oakland to score nine runs to take the game. He returned in Game Four on three days rest with Boston facing another four game sweep. The outing turned out to be a short one, with Clemens getting ejected by home plate umpire Terry Cooney for arguing. Some have blamed him for letting the team down. Recalled Oakland pitcher [[Dave Stewart]]: You can't be thrown out of a game. The umpire gave him plenty of chances to decline his comments, and he still stayed with those comments, knowing he could get thrown out.<ref>Kroichick, Ron. "Clemens' ejection lasting image from past matchups"; ''San Francisco Chronicle'', September 30, 2003</ref> The Red Sox would lose the game 3-1 and the series 4-0. He received further criticism after complaining about the fact that he had to carry his own bags to the airport. Clemens continued his strong regular season performances by winning his third AL Cy Young in 1991.  

In the following years, his performance started to dip. From 1993-1996, he went a combined 40-39. He had a solid but not great season in Boston's 1995 AL East title. Clemens clashed with the team's new General Manager, Dan Duquette, about the direction of the team. He wasn't happy about Duquette's plan to enter a rebuilding phase. On September 18 of the 1996 season, in what ended up as his last apperance with Boston, he recorded his second twenty strikeout game, this time against the [[Detroit Tigers]]. After the season, he signed a multi-year deal with the Blue Jays. The Red Sox opted to hold their own press conference to address Clemens' departure. Said Duquette: "The Red Sox and our fans were fortunate to see Roger Clemens play in his prime and we had hoped to keep him in Boston during the twilight of his career. We just want to let the fans know that we worked extremely hard to sign Roger Clemens. . . . We made him a substantial, competitive offer, by far the most money ever offered to a player in the history of the Red Sox franchise."<ref>Silverman, Michael. "End of an Era: No return fire from Sox"; ''Boston Herald", December 14, 1996</ref> Some, including Clemens himself, either misinterpreted or misremembered Duquette's statement, thinking that the GM implied that the pitcher was currently in the twilight of his career. Clemens would use the alleged slight as motivation in future games against the Red Sox.

In the following years, his performance started to dip. From 1993-1996, he went a combined 40-39. He had a solid but not great season in Boston's 1995 AL East title. Clemens clashed with the team's new General Manager, Dan Duquette, about the direction of the team. He wasn't happy about Duquette's plan to enter a rebuilding phase. On September 18 of the 1996 season, in what ended up as his last appearance with Boston, he recorded his second twenty strikeout game, this time against the [[Detroit Tigers]]. After the season, he signed a multi-year deal with the Blue Jays. The Red Sox opted to hold their own press conference to address Clemens' departure. Said Duquette: "The Red Sox and our fans were fortunate to see Roger Clemens play in his prime and we had hoped to keep him in Boston during the twilight of his career. We just want to let the fans know that we worked extremely hard to sign Roger Clemens. . . . We made him a substantial, competitive offer, by far the most money ever offered to a player in the history of the Red Sox franchise."<ref>Silverman, Michael. "End of an Era: No return fire from Sox"; ''Boston Herald", December 14, 1996</ref> Some, including Clemens himself, either misinterpreted or misremembered Duquette's statement, thinking that the GM implied that the pitcher was currently in the twilight of his career. Clemens would use the alleged slight as motivation in future games against the Red Sox.

===Blue Jays (1997-1998)===

===Blue Jays (1997-1998)===

Despite the additions of Clemens and Pettitte, the Astros got off to a slow start in 2004. With a 44-44 record at the All-Star break, the team opted to replace manager Jimy Williams with Phil Garner.<ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1839629</ref> The team's play turned around and they went 48-24 the rest of the way to take the NL Wild Card by a game over the [[San Francisco Giants]]. Clemens had a solid year, striking out 218 hitters and finishing with an ERA under 3 for the first time since 1998. Clemens, Pettitte and [[Roy Oswalt]] combined for a 44-18 record. Carlos Beltran contributed 23 home runs after a June trade from the [[Kansas City Royals]]. The Astros would beat the Braves in the NL Divisional Series to face a strong [[St. Louis Cardinals]] team in the NL Championship Series. They ultimately fell in seven games. He picked up his first NL Cy Young and seventh Cy Young overall.

Despite the additions of Clemens and Pettitte, the Astros got off to a slow start in 2004. With a 44-44 record at the All-Star break, the team opted to replace manager Jimy Williams with Phil Garner.<ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1839629</ref> The team's play turned around and they went 48-24 the rest of the way to take the NL Wild Card by a game over the [[San Francisco Giants]]. Clemens had a solid year, striking out 218 hitters and finishing with an ERA under 3 for the first time since 1998. Clemens, Pettitte and [[Roy Oswalt]] combined for a 44-18 record. Carlos Beltran contributed 23 home runs after a June trade from the [[Kansas City Royals]]. The Astros would beat the Braves in the NL Divisional Series to face a strong [[St. Louis Cardinals]] team in the NL Championship Series. They ultimately fell in seven games. He picked up his first NL Cy Young and seventh Cy Young overall.

Following the season, Clemens again considered retirement. The Astros offered him arbitration in an effort to prevent him from signing with another team.<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2004/12/11/clemens041211.html</ref> The two sides were able to agree on a one year contract worth $18 million. Despite losing Beltran to free agency, the Astros would again win the NL Wild Card due to the overall poor play of the rest of the league. They again drew the Braves in the NL Divisional Series. They were able to take the series in four games, including a clinching game that went eighteen innings and Clemens pitching three innings of relief for the win. They would meet the Cardinals in a rematch of the previous year's NLCS. Due to his relief appearance, Clemens was first start was pushed back to game three. He would throw six innings and allow two runs to give the team a 2-1 lead in a series they would win in six games. Clemens allowed three runs in only two innings pitched due to a strained hamstring during game one of the World Series against the [[Chicago White Sox]].<ref>http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr2005ws.shtml</ref> The Astros would get swept 4-0.

Following the season, Clemens again considered retirement. The Astros offered him arbitration in an effort to prevent him from signing with another team.<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2004/12/11/clemens041211.html</ref> The two sides were able to agree on a one-year contract worth $18 million. Despite losing Beltran to free agency, the Astros would again win the NL Wild Card due to the overall poor play of the rest of the league. They again drew the Braves in the NL Divisional Series. They were able to take the series in four games, including a clinching game that went eighteen innings and Clemens pitching three innings of relief for the win. They would meet the Cardinals in a rematch of the previous year's NLCS. Due to his relief appearance, Clemens was first start was pushed back to game three. He would throw six innings and allow two runs to give the team a 2-1 lead in a series they would win in six games. Clemens allowed three runs in only two innings pitched due to a strained hamstring during game one of the World Series against the [[Chicago White Sox]].<ref>http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr2005ws.shtml</ref> The Astros would get swept 4-0.

The Astros opted not to offer Clemens arbitration in the offseason. The move prevented them from signing the player until May 1. After once again considering retirement, Clemens re-signed with the Astros on May 31. The contract was a one year deal worth a pro-rated $22,000,022.<ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2464315</ref> He had another strong season but the club ultimately fell short of the playoffs.

The Astros opted not to offer Clemens arbitration in the offseason. The move prevented them from signing the player until May 1. After once again considering retirement, Clemens re-signed with the Astros on May 31. The contract was a one-year deal worth a pro-rated $22,000,022.<ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2464315</ref> He had another strong season but the club ultimately fell short of the playoffs.

===Yankees (2007)===

===Yankees (2007)===

After his yearly tradition of pondering retirement, Clemens opted to return to the Yankees.<ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2862088</ref> He made the official announcement over the public address system at Yankee Stadium. Clemens: "Well, they came and got me out of Texas, and I can tell you it's a privilege to be back!" He signed a one year deal worth a pro-rated $28,000,022. Yankees owner [[George Steinbrenner]]: "Roger Clemens is a winner and a champion, and he is someone who can be counted on to help make this season one that all Yankees fans can be proud of." Clemens would win six games with the team as they won the AL Wild Card. He pitched 2 1/3 innings in Game 3 of the AL Divisional Series against the Indians before leaving after injuring his left hamstring. He was replaced on the Yankee's playoff roster by [[Ron Vilone]]. The team would go on to lose the series in four games.

After his yearly tradition of pondering retirement, Clemens opted to return to the Yankees.<ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2862088</ref> He made the official announcement over the public address system at Yankee Stadium. Clemens: "Well, they came and got me out of Texas, and I can tell you it's a privilege to be back!" He signed a one-year deal worth a pro-rated $28,000,022. Yankees owner [[George Steinbrenner]]: "Roger Clemens is a winner and a champion, and he is someone who can be counted on to help make this season one that all Yankees fans can be proud of." Clemens would win six games with the team as they won the AL Wild Card. He pitched 2 1/3 innings in Game 3 of the AL Divisional Series against the Indians before leaving after injuring his left hamstring. He was replaced on the Yankee's playoff roster by [[Ron Vilone]]. The team would go on to lose the series in four games.

==References==

==References==