ducks
10-27-2005, 08:09 AM
Clemens' future uncertain, Bagwell ready to rehab
By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
October 27, 2005
HOUSTON (AP) -- If Roger Clemens wants to pitch again, the Houston Astros would love to have him back.
As for Jeff Bagwell, the desire is definitely there. The question is whether his right shoulder can handle a 16th season, but he'll start rehabilitating Friday to find out.
The future of both superstars was on everyone's minds Wednesday night, practically as soon as the Astros' 1-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox ended the World Series in a sweep.
ADVERTISEMENT
[0]
Clemens has said he was retiring after each of the last two seasons. This time, though, he's 43 with a strained hamstring and a back problem this season, his 22nd. Now that he's helped Houston get this far, about the only motivation left is winning the Series or maybe playing with his son, Koby, who is 18 and finished this season in Class A.
``Certainly we would love to have him back,'' team owner Drayton McLane said. ``I think he has just been so important to this franchise. He helped lift it to the next level. ...
``I'll certainly give him two or three days, then we'll talk about it. We were talking today about whether he was going to pitch Game 6 or Game 7.''
Clemens, who made $18 million this season, was dominant as ever, going 13-8 with a major league-best 1.87 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 211 1-3 innings. Had Houston scored more runs in his starts, he might've been a stronger contender for an eighth Cy Young Award.
``He's unbelievable,'' said close friend Andy Pettitte, whose decision to sign with Houston two offseasons ago helped lure Clemens out of retirement to begin with. ``His arm and his body is so strong, if anything ever aggravates him, it's his leg. He could probably pitch for another 10 years, as far as his arm goes.''
But will he pitch one more?
``If I knew, I wouldn't tell anybody anyway,'' Pettitte said, adding Clemens didn't even hint which way he's leaning.
Bagwell missed most of this season after having shoulder surgery. He's said he eventually needs to have it replaced, but he's hoping to squeeze out one more summer. He's under contract next season.
``I'm going to get my routine together and figure out what I need to do to get my shoulder stronger,'' he said. ``I've got to get going and find out what I got. I'm looking forward to it. I've got to do what I got to do to play baseball again.''
He doesn't want to be a token figure, either. In the playoffs, he was limited to pinch-hitting and being the designated hitter in two Series games played in the AL park.
``I plan to be back, to play baseball and be the first baseman for the Houston Astros next year,'' he said. ``I'm not thinking about anything but that right now.''
Asked about the chances of Houston having him and Clemens next year, Bagwell said: ``Do you have confirmation from Double-Deuce (Clemens' jersey number, 22) that he's coming back already? When you do, get me that memo. I don't know if you're going to get that one quite yet.''
By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
October 27, 2005
HOUSTON (AP) -- If Roger Clemens wants to pitch again, the Houston Astros would love to have him back.
As for Jeff Bagwell, the desire is definitely there. The question is whether his right shoulder can handle a 16th season, but he'll start rehabilitating Friday to find out.
The future of both superstars was on everyone's minds Wednesday night, practically as soon as the Astros' 1-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox ended the World Series in a sweep.
ADVERTISEMENT
[0]
Clemens has said he was retiring after each of the last two seasons. This time, though, he's 43 with a strained hamstring and a back problem this season, his 22nd. Now that he's helped Houston get this far, about the only motivation left is winning the Series or maybe playing with his son, Koby, who is 18 and finished this season in Class A.
``Certainly we would love to have him back,'' team owner Drayton McLane said. ``I think he has just been so important to this franchise. He helped lift it to the next level. ...
``I'll certainly give him two or three days, then we'll talk about it. We were talking today about whether he was going to pitch Game 6 or Game 7.''
Clemens, who made $18 million this season, was dominant as ever, going 13-8 with a major league-best 1.87 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 211 1-3 innings. Had Houston scored more runs in his starts, he might've been a stronger contender for an eighth Cy Young Award.
``He's unbelievable,'' said close friend Andy Pettitte, whose decision to sign with Houston two offseasons ago helped lure Clemens out of retirement to begin with. ``His arm and his body is so strong, if anything ever aggravates him, it's his leg. He could probably pitch for another 10 years, as far as his arm goes.''
But will he pitch one more?
``If I knew, I wouldn't tell anybody anyway,'' Pettitte said, adding Clemens didn't even hint which way he's leaning.
Bagwell missed most of this season after having shoulder surgery. He's said he eventually needs to have it replaced, but he's hoping to squeeze out one more summer. He's under contract next season.
``I'm going to get my routine together and figure out what I need to do to get my shoulder stronger,'' he said. ``I've got to get going and find out what I got. I'm looking forward to it. I've got to do what I got to do to play baseball again.''
He doesn't want to be a token figure, either. In the playoffs, he was limited to pinch-hitting and being the designated hitter in two Series games played in the AL park.
``I plan to be back, to play baseball and be the first baseman for the Houston Astros next year,'' he said. ``I'm not thinking about anything but that right now.''
Asked about the chances of Houston having him and Clemens next year, Bagwell said: ``Do you have confirmation from Double-Deuce (Clemens' jersey number, 22) that he's coming back already? When you do, get me that memo. I don't know if you're going to get that one quite yet.''