AP Source: Clemens shuns retirement to join Astros

AP ^ | 1/12/2004 | Ronald Blum

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AP Source: Clemens shuns retirement to join Astros

By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer January 12, 2004 Roger Clemens is pushing back his retirement, agreeing to a one-year contract with the Houston Astros, a baseball source told The Associated Press on Monday.

The six-time Cy Young Award winner had said for more than a year that he planned to quit after pitching last season for the New York Yankees.

But he was persuaded to join the Astros, his hometown team, after close friend and former Yankees teammate Andy Pettitte signed with Houston last month.

The Astros called a news conference for Monday. Clemens agreed to a contract Sunday, the source said on condition of anonymity.

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Oh please, let this be true!! Pettitte and Clemens together and playing for the Astros...YEEHAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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[Cyber Liberty]

There's a thread about this, as reported at CBS. I hope it's true, too. He needs payback for his dodgeball pitching.

[asb3pe]

George Steinbrenner had a fainting spell a few weeks back - coincidentally, he had just received word of the Yankees' hefty new $12 million luxury tax that was due to the league.

Me thinks this Clemens news just might be worse news for King George, and I fear for his health. (snicker)

And good riddance, too! Not ALL New Yorkers love the Yankees. Some of us hate them with a passion. :-)

[Alberta's Child]

Clemens is an absolute @sshole, and I'm happy to see him decide to "unretire" like this -- now all those delusional Yankee fans will recognize this.

The Yankees never should have signed him in the first place -- he was nothing but an opportunist looking to pad his Hall of Fame credentials by adding a World Series ring to his trophy case.

[gdani]

I very much look forward to Clemens having to actually bat.

Methinks this may cut down on the punk's head-hunting.

[Az Joe]

Yes, two losers in the same rotation.

[stylin19a]

agh......in the division...Cubs can't catch a break.

[asb3pe]

Two losers?

I sure hope you don't mean Andy Pettite?

Him going to the Astros for LESS money than the Yankees offered him made him, in my eyes anyways, among the RAREST of athletes today - one not motivated solely by his wallet.

Admirable.

Perhaps you meant someone else?

[ClintonBeGone]

Clemens is a loser. It's just like him to take his limelight and come back for more. He was a loser with the Red Sox and when it came to the big games for the Yankees, he was a choker. Good to be gone of him.

[ClintonBeGone]

The Yankees never should have signed him in the first place -- he was nothing but an opportunist looking to pad his Hall of Fame credentials by adding a World Series ring to his trophy case.

You're absolutely right. He did nothing in the big games to help earn his ring.

[wireman]

Clemens at the bat....

Payback could be a bitch!

[rickmichaels]

The very first ball that beans Clemens in the head should go on display in Cooperstown.

[Cyber Liberty]

I'd settle for a Randy Johnson 100 MPH fastball to the arm....

[wireman]

He just wanted to win a championship. Is that terrible?

[Iron Eagle]

He better buy a suit of armor, I sense he may get hit with a few pitches!

I think old Roger must have forgotten, he has to bat in the NL.

[cruiserman]

The Yankees never should have signed him in the first place -- he was nothing but an opportunist looking to pad his Hall of Fame credentials by adding a World Series ring to his trophy case.

The nerve of him. Wanting to win the World Series. The bastard.

[montag813]

And good riddance, too! Not ALL New Yorkers love the Yankees. Some of us hate them with a passion. :-)

Amen to that. Let's hope there is a WS rematch and Pettite and Clemens both have no-hitters. That ought to put George in a box.

[pctech]

Well let's hope the Cubbies sign Maddog Maddux, then we'll see who has the upper hand on who.....

[Az Joe]

The Diamondbacks beat him twice in '01 in the Series.