Rocket

[Copperfields]

The Astros have reported signed Clemens to a 1-year deal.

As a Cub fan, I'm really sorry to hear that, but as a CFCLer it will be fun to have the Rocket in the Draft Day pool (shadow of his former self though he may be).

Maybe this will prod the Cubs into signing Maddux or Pudge. Or both! It would be cool to be able to "unveil" them at the Cub Convention this weekend.

David

[Demreb]

While I'm intrigued at Rocket joining the Astros and the competition we most likely we'll see between Houston and the Cubs (and no doubt St. Louis who always finds a way to be a factor for part or all of the season) I am so sick of athletes "retiring" and then coming back.

As has been pointed out by the media, Clemens didn't really retire. Nothing in his life is different than any off season.

I think Hunsicker (might have been someone else) pointed out that "Roger has earned the right to come back and decide to unretire".

By that I assume he means that the numbers Clemens has put up has earned him to the right to do anything he wants. While I agree that Roger has put up incredible numbers, just by exercising that so-called "right" diminishes things. Not his accomplishments, but his stature in some way.

Ali probably started the whole "unretired" thing, although in boxing who cares? Jordan made it an art form and turned retiring ultimately into a joke. Even Sandberg is guilty of this waffling.

Just make a decision and go forward.

[MGrage]

Happy Championship Sunday Y'all,

I'm sure it's easy for us to say "if you're going to retire, stay retired", but none of us have ever played in the majors. Just think about it, how hard must it be to go from having all that adulation to being just another guy. I don't blame these guys at all.

That said, I'm real happy the Rocket joined the Astros. The Rocket is going to get rocked. Every time I hear these various pundit proclaim that the 'Stros have a better rotation now that he's there, I laugh in derision. If he doesn't spend half the year on the DL, his already shaky knees will be under more strain than they've ever known. Unless he strikes out 50% of the time or more, I think having to run the bases all the time will take its toll. Then there's the park he'll pitch half his games in. He just might get whiplash having to watch all those pop fly home runs sail out of the OJ field.

I'll take Clement over Clemens anyday of the week and twice on Sunday. BTW, I hope the Cubs stand firm on their $5 million a year for 2 years stance on Maddux. He's just about out of gas and might be a detriment next year. Mahalo

Matt

[Copperfields]

Then there's the park he'll pitch half his games in. He just might get whiplash having to watch all those pop fly home runs sail out of the OJ field.

I've thought about this too. I don't know if Yankee Stadium favors hitters or pitchers or how it affected Clemens, but it's a good bet Minute Maid isn't going to help much.

On Maddux: he'd be worth megabucks regardless of how he pitches if he can share some of his smarts with Prior, Wood, and Zambrano - like maybe teaching them how to make it through 6 IP in fewer than 100 pitches.

David

[Paul]

Regarding Mr Clemens:

He will be a force to be reckoned with to at least some degree. While he won't be a 20 game winner, he should be good for 14-17 wins. The disadvantage of pitching half the time in the juice box will be offset at least initially by hitters lack of famialiarity with him.

While I do abhor the concept of "unretirement", I can at least partially tolerate the fact he did not skip any time. Although I don't know why he had to announce his retirement, unless he is afraid of The Boss, and figured this was the best way to sidestep any issues with him.

Regarding Mr. Maddux, I readily concede that if the Cubs do get him, I will say no big deal, he's past his prime and won't help much, and if they don't get him, I'll say, they blew another chance to help themselves all for the sake of the bottom line. The truth probably lies somewhere in between.

[Demreb]

Given that ringing endorsement from Paul and the fact that he won't draft a pitcher that hasn't already qualified for AARP, look for him to break the bank to acquire the Rocket.

[MGrage]

Well, the early returns are in and it looks like I was wrong about Rocket Roger. And as you guessed Rich, our resident geriatric guru picked him up for a palrty sum of .11. Is it too late to up my bid?? Mahalo

Matt

[Nick's Picts (archived)]

MGrage said:

Well, the early returns are in and it looks like I was wrong about Rocket Roger.

Just wait until he's pitching at Enr...errrr.... the juice box on a muggy July evening. I can't imagine him rolling through an entire season the way he has through April. Way too old and he's so far beyond last year's numbers he's like a 4'9" person walking along the bottom of the deep end.

not that I expect the July to effect all ex-Yankee pitchers equally. nor am I bagging Rich's apparent good fortune. well, not much anyway.

[Demreb]

Nick -

I'll have to admit my obtuseness on this one. What's my good fortune? Pettitte on the DL or Clement having two good outings which I benefit from since Jason brought him up for .01 and you raised it to .15!!!! and then I felt compelled to bid .16.

Kind of reminds me of the quote (don't remember the person, just the quote) when the Cubs signed Sandberg for $7 million a year (the next highest paid ballplayer at the time was $5 million/year). "What, did the Cubs forget the next number is 6?"

[Nick's Picts (archived)]

mmmm.... that's some tasty crow.

Sorry, Rich, for some odd reason I thought you had landed Clemmens. Clemmens - Clement, what's the big deal?

That's what I get for shooting my mouth without checking rosters first. Oh, and if you really need pitching help, I'll have no use for Rueter in about a week. I know how much you enjoyed having him on your roster last season