GetRDoneStangs
05-31-2006, 10:27 AM
It is official from the Astros website: :clap: :clap:
05/31/2006 11:05 AM ET
Done deal: Rocket returns to Astros
Clemens set for mid-June return to Houston rotation
By Jim Molony / MLB.com
HOUSTON -- Retirement and the Hall of Fame will have to wait a little longer for Roger Clemens, because The Rocket has decided to go on one final mission for Houston.
No. 22 agreed to terms Wednesday on a one-year deal with the Astros to come back for a 23rd season, or at least the remaining four months of the current season.
The seven-time Cy Young Award winner ended his seven-month retirement by accepting a deal that will pay him approximately $14 million -- the pro-rated value of a $21 million seasonal contract -- to pitch for the Astros for the balance of the current season.
The decision came after months of soul searching by Clemens and weeks of waiting by the Astros, Yankees and Red Sox, who had tendered offers to the right-hander in recent weeks. The Rangers were also in the hunt until they were informed on Friday that they were no longer in the running for Clemens.
Clemens' arrival couldn't come at a better time for the Astros, who have lost 18 of their last 22 games. Houston's offense has been inconsistent but the Astros are also in dire need of more pitching.
Clemens, 13-8 with a Major League-leading 1.87 ERA in 32 regular-season starts for the Astros last year, should provide an immediate boost. The right-hander is expected to pitch in a few Minor League games before rejoining the Astros around the middle of June.
Clemens and the Astros could both benefit from a shorter seasonal workload. Injuries slowed the 43-year-old late last season. He lasted only two innings in Houston's Game 1 loss to the Chicago White Sox in the World Series due to a hamstring injury. Clemens, who turns 44 in August, has been working out with his son Koby, a Houston Minor League prospect.
Clemens, 31-12 with a 2.43 ERA over the last two years with Houston, was not offered arbitration by the Astros during the winter, making him ineligible to re-sign with Houston before May 1.
That left the door open for other suitors, but Clemens decided to participate in the World Baseball Classic while he pondered his future.
The four finalists pursued Clemens diligently, but in the end the hometown Astros were able to convince the 11-time All-Star to take another shot with the Astros.
Clemens has more career wins than any other living pitcher, ranking ninth all-time with 341 career victories. In 22 seasons with the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees and Astros Clemens is 341-172 with a 3.12 ERA and 4,502 career strikeouts. His strikeout total is second only to Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan (5,714) on the all-time list.
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060531&content_id=1480965&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou
05/31/2006 11:05 AM ET
Done deal: Rocket returns to Astros
Clemens set for mid-June return to Houston rotation
By Jim Molony / MLB.com
HOUSTON -- Retirement and the Hall of Fame will have to wait a little longer for Roger Clemens, because The Rocket has decided to go on one final mission for Houston.
No. 22 agreed to terms Wednesday on a one-year deal with the Astros to come back for a 23rd season, or at least the remaining four months of the current season.
The seven-time Cy Young Award winner ended his seven-month retirement by accepting a deal that will pay him approximately $14 million -- the pro-rated value of a $21 million seasonal contract -- to pitch for the Astros for the balance of the current season.
The decision came after months of soul searching by Clemens and weeks of waiting by the Astros, Yankees and Red Sox, who had tendered offers to the right-hander in recent weeks. The Rangers were also in the hunt until they were informed on Friday that they were no longer in the running for Clemens.
Clemens' arrival couldn't come at a better time for the Astros, who have lost 18 of their last 22 games. Houston's offense has been inconsistent but the Astros are also in dire need of more pitching.
Clemens, 13-8 with a Major League-leading 1.87 ERA in 32 regular-season starts for the Astros last year, should provide an immediate boost. The right-hander is expected to pitch in a few Minor League games before rejoining the Astros around the middle of June.
Clemens and the Astros could both benefit from a shorter seasonal workload. Injuries slowed the 43-year-old late last season. He lasted only two innings in Houston's Game 1 loss to the Chicago White Sox in the World Series due to a hamstring injury. Clemens, who turns 44 in August, has been working out with his son Koby, a Houston Minor League prospect.
Clemens, 31-12 with a 2.43 ERA over the last two years with Houston, was not offered arbitration by the Astros during the winter, making him ineligible to re-sign with Houston before May 1.
That left the door open for other suitors, but Clemens decided to participate in the World Baseball Classic while he pondered his future.
The four finalists pursued Clemens diligently, but in the end the hometown Astros were able to convince the 11-time All-Star to take another shot with the Astros.
Clemens has more career wins than any other living pitcher, ranking ninth all-time with 341 career victories. In 22 seasons with the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees and Astros Clemens is 341-172 with a 3.12 ERA and 4,502 career strikeouts. His strikeout total is second only to Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan (5,714) on the all-time list.
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060531&content_id=1480965&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou