This is really happening. Fox 26 Houston is reporting that former Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays, and Astros pitcher Roger Clemens has agreed to sign with the independent league Sugar Land Skeeters in the Houston area. The 50-year old Clemens hasn't pitched since 2007 with the Yankees, and was acquitted this summer on federal obstruction of justice charges. In a workout with the Skeeters today, Clemens apparently hit 87 mph with his fastball, and will be starting Saturday's game.
Is there any chance that this is anything *other* than a publicity stunt? At age 50, and with only 11 days left in the season for a player to be eligible for a team's playoff roster, there's essentially no way that Clemens could help out a major league team this year for more than a month. Even if there was more time left in the season, who would be willing to sign him with the steroid stigma that has surrounded him since his trial began?
I applaud Clemens for wanting to continue to pitch at 50…but actually going through with it is some borderline insanity. The Skeeters aren't exactly a team full of young up and comers (but then again, that's true for most indy league teams), and former major leaguers Tim Redding, Scott Kazmir, and Jason Lane have all played with the team this year.
This is probably going to look more like a beer league softball game than a competitive contest, but we'll see what happens. I for one am dying for video of this start on Saturday.
Photo courtesy of Daylife.com
[h/t: Fox 26 Houston]
