It's hard to put a finger on the exact motive behind Roger Clemens' independent league start, but Brian McNamee thinks he has the answer.
"I think it's ego-driven," said McNamee, Clemens' former trainer, on WEEI's Dennis and Callahan Wednesday. "Right off the top, I think you guys should bring the popcorn, because that circus isn't going anywhere soon."
McNamee, of course, doesn't have the best relationship with Clemens. He testified against the former major leaguer in 2008, after the Mitchell Report alleged that he helped acquire performance-enhancing drugs for some or all of the players he trained, including Clemens. But while McNamee is skeptical of the reasoning behind Clemens' "return," he doesn't think a big league Rocket liftoff is totally outlandish. In fact, he thinks Clemens pitching an inning in the majors this season isn't out of the question.
"I think — and I teach it every day — I think if you can throw strikes, add and subtract [speeds], anybody can get anybody out at any level, at any age," McNamee said. "He didn't look in great shape, but I didn't really watch [Saturday's game]. I only saw him in suits. I don't know what kind of condition he's in."
Clemens pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League on Saturday, which immediately sparked even more speculation of a major league comeback. Clemens, who recorded two K's in the 37-pitch effort, maintains he's not thinking about returning to the majors at age 50, even if some — including McNamee — feel he could probably still get hitters out.
"Maybe as a one-inning guy, yeah," McNamee said of a possible return. "If you can locate, and add and subtract off your fastball — whether you're throwing 80 or 90, it doesn't matter — you can still get guys out."
Yes, considering Joey Gathright and the rest of the Bridgeport Bluefish roster consisted of males, McNamee is right. But everyone should probably tame their excitement for the time being.
Photo of the Day
Hopefully a Terrible Towel can wipe off this catastrophe.
Photo via Twitter/@BleacherReport
Quote of the Day
The science is always ahead of the test. It really is.
–Brian McNamee, discussing MLB's PED problem
Tweet of the Day
Yu is on to something.
When referring to Yu Darvish, it often sounds like bad grammar. "When he faces a team for the first time, Yu is 8-3 this year" #MLB #Rangers
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) August 29, 2012
Video of the Day
No feet. No shoes. No problem.
