Years have gone by and I still wonder why in the world would Roger Clemens throw that bat @ Mike Piazza in game 2 of the 2000 World Series? It made no sense, yet it was clearly intentional. So, now, we may have an answer: Roid Rage
Does it shock me that such a sweet guy would cheat...not @ all. Roger tryin to get a competative advantage? No way. Looks like the Sox were right when they predicted his best years were behind him and decided to get rid of em. Is it now any wonder that Clemens has still been able to throw effectively in his mid 40s? Clemens denies the reports that he took steroids, but what a shock-he did it through a statement. If he really didn't do it why didn't he sue already, why didn't he start a media war, why didn't he speak to America in his own voice on TV, and why did he never speak to George Mitchell when asked? Clemens career is tainted and I wonder what Clemens lovers like Suzy Waldman now think of the guy. Clemens has always been a jerk and has gained a ton of praise over his career. Looks like karma has come back at him hard. If indeed guilty, he should not get into the Hall of Fame, 4 of his cy-youngs should be removed as Curt Schilling suggested and him and his good cheatin buddy Pettite should finally call it quits. Clemens should be given as much ridicule as Barry Bonds. He did it, he took steroids, he cheated, he broke records that are now tainted, and he made a ton of money because of it.
Not to mention, he helped the Yanks win that 2000 World Series over the Mets on Juice, which comes back to the whole Piazza incident. Not only did he get away with steroids during the time, but he wasn't thrown out for the now entitled "roid rage incident," that occured that night. Seems like a more logical excuse for the incident then saying he thought it was the ball. I didn't realize pitchers were taught to throw the ball to 1st looking straight @ the batter who just made contact. Roid rage. Great job Roger, you've given fans everywhere even more reason to hate you. You revitalized your career on juice and now you won't even have the guts to admit it or even show your face to the media. Well I know who should and will have the last laugh. O yea, Mike Piazza. You know the guy who owned you your whole juiced career...the guy who's career could've been in jeopardy after you beamed him in the head, and the guy who you through a bat @ in the middle of roid rage. While you sit in your wealthy home in shame, Piazza will be accepting a plaque into Cooperstown, as a true hall of famer. Then we'll see who's laughing.
And another thing...I'm not saying the Yanks do not deserve their 2000 title, but it has to be mentioned that nearly 1/3 of that team was in the Mitchell Report. Makes ya think doesn't it.
2000 World Champion New York Yankees*
Roger Clemens wants to come back next season. Fine, Roger come back and stink it up again like you did last year. I still laugh very hard thinking about how much the Yanks paid for your great services last year. You're best years are behind you and you can't get help with juice this time so just hang up the cleets. I definitely don't want to see you pitch anymore, and I'm sure many agree. Your career is now over and you have nothing left to offer a team. That is, unless your buddy Andy Pettite can find some HGH for ya. You know that drug that doesn't enhance the body, only helps the body heal. Yea, you'll both be looked @ so fondly for helpin your team out like that. Such great guys you are.
I can only hope that the Yanks sign you again, paying you a ridiculious amount of $, just to maybe compete for a 4.5 ERA. If your ERA is anything better than that, then we know that your HGH is workin very well. For your sake this time Roger, I hope you can hear your wife on the other line when she tells you to finally retire. Thanks for all the memories and happy holidays!
It is very interesting and exciting that the Mets and the Red Sox both want Twins SP Johan Santana and are willing to pay up. Apparently, the Sox are still the favorites in the Santana race. But, there's no doubt about the fact that the Mets NEED Santana and that they desperately want him. The problem is they just dont have enough to get the all-star.
SOX: If the Red Sox were to get Santana it would make them amazing and one of the greatest teams on paper ever...but ultimately is it worth it? This question has to be raised. You might be saying, well who the heck would be stupid enough not to want the best pitcher in baseball? But look @ it this way. The Sox would have to sign Santana for a ton of $. Combine that with a future raise for Beckett and the Sox top 2 starters alone would take up a ton of payroll. Then you look even further down the future and what do you see? Even if you take out the 2 possible players dealt in the deal (Ellsbury, Lester) the Sox will still have to empty out their pocket for plenty of players in the future...a list that could include Pedroia, YOOOUK, Papelbon, Okajima and Buchholz? I know the Sox have a ton of $, but can they afford ALL of this to keep this team together. Yes, I'd love to have Santana, BUT it may be just as good in the long run to hold on to Ellsbury and Lester and continue building upon this potential dynasty. I am not in favor of giving up any one of these prospects, let alone the other 3 that could potentially be included. Ellsbury will be a great CF and I rather him stay then Lester, but Lester should be a great pitcher in the future. So, it's tough. Plus, I wouldn't mind seeing the Yanks give up Hughes in a package as well as other young talented players. You let all this young talent build up in New York, and pretty soon these players can amount to a hell of a team. Worst case situation is Twins hold on to him all year and it becomes a bidding war. The Yanks could definitely outbid the Sox in this case and they'd lose nothing, besides a huge sum of dough.
Mets: In the Mets case, I just believe they don't have enough. After the terrible Milledge trade, it's hard to also give up Gomez. But they must to even have a shot to get the deal done. I am a lot more willing to make this deal from the Mets point of view, because their farm system stinks AND they need an ace desperately. If the Mets have to part with Heilman, Gomez, and/or Pelfrey or other prospects fine. Get Santana any way you can Omar! I just don't think the Twins will be stupid enough to accept this. And, there is no way in hell I want to give up Reyes in a deal for Santana. There are way too many Reyes haters out there and its ridiculous. Reyes is special and the spark of this team. He can't be traded for anything. If you are the Mets you hope the Twins keep him if you can't get him now. If the Mets waited to next off-season, I think with all the pressure from the media and the fans, they'd definitely be able to outbid the Skanks for Santana's services.
Where will Santana end up? I truly have no idea, but a trip to the Bronx would make the Yanks just as good as the Sox on paper, or close to it. A trip to Queens could make the Mets the best team in the NL again. A trip to Fenway would again plain and simple make the Sox once again the best team in baseball. Nothing is imminent, but I hope he finds a way onto one of these 2 teams...
As we move deeper into the offseason, I will be recalling month by month the 2007 season of the World Champion Boston Red Sox.
MAY
Entering May, the Sox were red hot, in 1st place of the AL East by 3.5 games and 6.5 up on the Yanks who stood in last. May was a month where the Sox had some tough tests, facing all 3 future playoff teams of 2007. The Sox proved April wasn't just a lucky start.
The Sox won 4/6 against Oakland, Seattle, and Minnesota to start off the month before sweeping Toronto on the road. Beckett won his 2 first starts of May, bringing his record to a ridiculous 7-0. The Sox returned home to face the Orioles. The Sox split the first 2, setting up a rubber game on Mothers day:
GAME OF THE MONTH: In what has been named the "Mothers Day Miracle," the Red Sox made their biggest comeback of the year and it was arguably their most exciting win of 2007. The game looked lost at first, especially when Josh Beckett who was already 7-0 had to leave with torn skin on his finger. It would have been his first loss, but the Sox came back in the 9th. Down 5-0 in the 9th with 1 out, the Orioles handed the Sox a break that opened up the doors. Miscommunication caused the Orioles to let a pop up in front of home plate fall in for an error. After that, Baez came in probably too soon and the Sox capitalized. Ortiz doubled scoring Crisp. Willy Mo then singled, prompting the O's to bring in their solid closer Ray. Drew walked to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate. The game got even more interesting when Ray walked another batter, YOOUK to score another run. Varitek had the big blow, with a 2 RBI double to make it a 1 run game. After Hinske was walked intentionally, the bases were loaded with only 1 out. After Alex Cora grounded into a fielders choice @ home it was up to Julio Lugo of all people. A simple ground ball caused more confusion and Lugo beat the O's to bag. The ball got away and the Sox scored 2 for an amazing Mother's day victory 6-5.
Beckett would go on to miss only a few starts and the Sox were rolling, having their 2nd largest lead in the AL EAST this early in their history. The Sox won another key series, winning 3/4 from the defending AL Champs Tigers, to really take a hold of their league, as the early top team in the AL.
Interleague play started and the Sox took 2/3 from the Braves, with Dice-K increasing his solid record to 6-2. Kason Gabbard outdueled Hudson in the rubber game. The Yanks finally got the best of the Sox, winning 2/3 in their 2nd series @ home. Red Sox bounced back with 5 straight wins, sweeping the Rangers on the road and taking 2/3 from a good Indian team @ home. Beckett won his 8th game of the year and Schill went to 5-2.
AL EAST STANDINGS (AFTER MAY 30)
BOSTON 36-16
BALTIMORE 27-27 10 GB
TORONTO 25-28 11.5 GB
TAMPA BAY 22-29 13.5 GB
NY YANKEES 22-29 13.5 GB
The Sox finished the month 20-8 and were off to a brilliant start. They were 20 games over .500 and had the best record in all of baseball. They were dominating their division, 10 up on the .500 O's and more importantly 13.5 up on the last place Yankees. But, little did the Sox know, that the Yanks would finally begin to get going and it would start with a 3 game series @ Fenway to kick off June.
Stay tuned for the Red Sox June recap next week. Also, stay tuned for the Mets April recap coming within the next few days.
