You know what? HOO-RAY!!!! This pitching staff is obviously hurting and Clemens can bring some stability. As far as Roger being about only Roger. That might be a little naive. Name one major leaguer who isn't thinking about only himself.
Honestly, I know that Clemens in only out for himself and I don't care. He wants to pad his numbers...GREAT! That means he wants to win ballgames, Just what the team needs.
(edited by MisterHenderson on 6.5.07 1600) Rusty Shackleford is just the name he uses to order Pizza with.
instead of piling on Clemens for exploiting the free market system, lets congradulate the Yankees for improving their staff and in doing so, keeping him out of the Red Sox club house.
Originally posted by StaggerLeeinstead of piling on Clemens for exploiting the free market system, lets congradulate the Yankees for improving their staff and in doing so, keeping him out of the Red Sox club house.
Yes, as much as I hate how old the staff has gotten... Roger is the kind of guy who you want to get, if only to prevent the Red Sox from getting him. He may be great, or he may finally crumble due to his age.
Though I've never been a Clemens fan, it still brought a grin to my face to hear this. Sure, the average SP age just increased dramatically, but it's not like they got rid of Hughes, Karstens, or any of the other young guys in a deal to get an established starter. Career-wise, Roger is not simply "an established starter," but given the expectations of most realistic fans, I'd settle for "a solid, consistant, and hamstring-free-injured" starter.
I didn't want him in Boston before last season and I didn't want him in Boston this season. At least now the 'Bring Back Roger' caterwauling can cease and the 'You really need to appreciate what Roger has done' crap can completely disappear. I would have been more concerned if the Yankees had brought back either David Wells or Randy Johnson, as Boston has struggled against left-handed starting pitching. Yankees don't win the AL East in '05 without Johnson going 5-0 against the Red Sox, with 2 of those victories occurring in September. As for Roger, he was pitching to around a 4 ERA prior to leaving in '03, so bump it up to 4.5 or so, and that isn't even factoring in that Tampa's offense is no longer a joke. With or without Clemens, the Yankees were going to hang around the AL East race, the only thing that has changed in the past week is that Toronto is the brink of taking a knockout punch.
'Ric Flair wishes he was Paul Roma.' Congratulations Paul on winning the Idiotic Comment of the Decade Award.
Well, that makes things easier. My least favourite player pitching for my least favourite team. I hope you're busted for steroids, you overrated, overweight, redneck piece of shit.
In a related story, Clemens was, like, my favourite pitcher when he pitched for Toronto. FICKLE~~~!
Originally posted by StaggerLeeinstead of piling on Clemens for exploiting the free market system, lets congradulate the Yankees for improving their staff and in doing so, keeping him out of the Red Sox club house.
As a Yankee fan (something I catch myself saying mucho on the baseball thread), it's wait and see. Randy Johnson was supposed to be the shot in the arm the Yanks needed, Andy Pettite was supposed to be the shot in the arm the Yanks needed, Carl Pavano was supposed to be the shot in the arm the Yanks needed. Clemens comes in and starts winning, hooray. It's a moot point if there's no results, not only in october, but next year. Wang is a young pitcher who gets results, but for some reason the Management refuses to go after hurlers similar to him in liew of oldies.
Beware 2k8, all I'm saying. Wang and Phillips in the rotation will be awesome. Here's praying they can get a bullpen.
Hold nothing sacred and you'll never be dissapointed. Especially not this statement.
Word around New England press and radio is that Epstein didn't really want to sign Clemens, but offered enough to make sure the Yankees were gouged with salary and luxury tax just to rub it in to The Boss. Whether it's true or not is up to conjecture, but it sure sounds fun! Clemens has certainly always used other teams to raise his price over and over again.
CRZ had to edit my profile and close my table for me. I am a bad man.
I have to find a link to it but yankees announcer, Susan Waldman's reaction to seeing Clemens in George's box in the 7th inning was off the charts
that being said, I hate the yankees and hope that this blows up in their face - no one should be given a dea where they justt basically fly in for games and then leave
I'm Blind Jimmy Winthrop, Blues singer for the Rich.
Originally posted by dunkndollazI have to find a link to it but yankees announcer, Susan Waldman's reaction to seeing Clemens in George's box in the 7th inning was off the charts.
I heard it on ESPN this morning. You would have thought they won 8 World Series in a row. It was shrill (well, more shrill than usual) and she was really pumped. I bet she was dancing, too.
CRZ had to edit my profile and close my table for me. I am a bad man.
As someone who has to listen to Hawk Harrelson for about 80-100 games a year, my tolerance for bad announcing is pretty strong. But wow, how the hell do Yankee fans listen to that woman all year long? She makes me ponder whether I'm wrong in calling Ron Santo the worst announcer in baseball.
Originally posted by spfAs someone who has to listen to Hawk Harrelson for about 80-100 games a year, my tolerance for bad announcing is pretty strong. But wow, how the hell do Yankee fans listen to that woman all year long? She makes me ponder whether I'm wrong in calling Ron Santo the worst announcer in baseball.
No, you're not wrong (but she does have to rank down there based on what I've heard). Santo's idea of color is "Would you look at that?". No, Ron - I can't. I'm listening to the f'ing radio!
He's also got "Gosh", "Ahhhhh", and "Nooooo" down pat.
Originally posted by spfAs someone who has to listen to Hawk Harrelson for about 80-100 games a year, my tolerance for bad announcing is pretty strong. But wow, how the hell do Yankee fans listen to that woman all year long? She makes me ponder whether I'm wrong in calling Ron Santo the worst announcer in baseball.
Waldman doesn't do any play by play, and really doesn't do any analysis. She is only there for when John Sterling needs to take a breath and to say 'Brilliant point John'. The shocking thing about the announcement is you would think that Sterling must be pissed that she took away what should have been his moment of glory. You know he is still livid that Aaron Boone occurred in an inning he wasn't calling, thus his calling every inning the past few years. As for Hawk: As bad as he is, the guy he is with might actually be worse. If Clemens is worth $28 million pro-rated, does that mean the number when Santana hits the market should start around 6 years/$170 million?
'Ric Flair wishes he was Paul Roma.' Congratulations Paul on winning the Idiotic Comment of the Decade Award.
The pro-rated salary is all about the available talent on the market (combined with Clemens' talent).
Sure, it's a ridiculous number, but no different than the scenario in which Jordan resigned with the Bulls for a one-year $35- or 50-million salary (someone correct the number if it's off).
You wouldn't want Clemens for a whole season anyway - not at his age. It's wiser for both sides to have him start later in the year so he can be around when it matters (assuming the Yankees make the playoffs).
This deal isn't so bad, and the Yankees haven't driven up the price of other pitchers. Clemens is in his own league. You won't see any team letting Santana or Zambrano have the option of not being around on days they don't pitch or starting later in the year. So this is all moot... but nevertheless still rather interesting to discuss!
It's hard to say what effect Clemens getting so much money would have on another premier pitcher though. How do you balance his money and probable value for money against Igawa who cost $10 million a season and is heading for the minors. Or Pavano who also cost $10 million a season and is as reliable as a macrame condom.
I just think that the perspective is three-fold: a) Clemens doesn't have to pitch; b) Who else is out there and available; c) How much money/exposure does signing him and having him pitch for your team generate? He could hang it up now, and be in the HOF Class of 2011. That is leverage, which gives him the ability to ask for "away days", reporting a third of the way into the season, and an absurd amount of money. If/When Santana or Zambrano become free agents, they will not realistically hold that same leverage, so they probably won't see the perks nor that annual salary.
Regarding Waldman...as little credibility as she possessed, it all went down the crapper. Between that on-air fellating that she gave to Clemens, coupled with every John Sterling "Aaaaaa-BOMB for Aaaaaa-ROD!", "JORGIE JUICED ONE!", "THE GIAMBINO!", or "ROBBIE CANO! DON'T YA KNOW!"....it is embarassing, IMO, as a Yankee fan to listen to. It seems so self-indulging/self-promoting for them to keep spouting that crap, and I just don't get it. Maybe it's perpetuated by radio stations around the country playing it and mocking it, and then that justifies it in the first place. They both still make me want to throw up in my mouth....
What was his record last year, 7-6? At age 44, that should raise a red flag to someone that he might not have the same stuff anymore.
And when will George realize he needs to rebuild this team with youth, not patch it together with fading stars. Sure, Clemens is the greatest pitcher of my lifetime (sorry, Big Unit), but I think his actions are harmful to the game. The game REALLY doesn't need that right now.
I don't care how great you are, show up for freakin' spring practice, and play the whole season. You don't just show up whenever you want and demand the highest salary in baseball. How does that make his teammates feel? If he can't play the whole season anymore, maybe he shouldn't be a baseball player anymore.
It's very disappointing, and to me, his career is tarnished by the last few years.
Dean! Have you been shooting dope into your scrotum? You can tell me! I'm hip!