I probably shouldnt start this thread, but I couldnt resist. I hope that he isnt hurt too bad and is going to be able to pitch again in another game. How ironic would it be for him to comeback and save us the way Kurt Schilling saved the Red Soxs last year? Its going to a magical ride my friends!
I think that's the way it's going to play out. A dramatic start in Game 5 to clinch the championship for us.
I wouldn't count on it. Clemens has been unimpressive the past two years in the playoffs, and his career playoff stats aren't that great either, at least compared to his regular season numbers.
Reminds me of Nolan Ryan, who was able to pitch effectively forever but couldn't stay healthy because of his age. Roger should retire.
how quickly we forget the guy led the league in ERA and kicked ass all season long. he has a hamstring injury right now..but he hasn't been hampered with injuries all season long. maybe 3 other starters in the NL had a better season than him this year. he was impressive in the 18 inning game...and pitched a really good game against the Cards in Houston. if he can go, he needs to be out there. no team has the luxury of saying, "eh...sorry roger..we think you should stop playing."
Ryan was dominating late in his career too, but he just couldn't pitch. Eventually he'll breakdown. So Will Franco. Eventually....but if we could get just one more year.
I think part of it is the hamstring, but I think he's done after this year regardless. He had an interview last week where he said his motivation to pitch isn't the same after his mom passed away - that he didn't realize how much he pitched for his mom. I think that was a bit of a signal that he's close to being done. He's just not the same pitcher he was most of the season. Even when he's pitching well, he's constantly getting into high pitch counts, getting out of jams, not striking anybody out, etc.
in the playoffs, that's true. but that wasn't true this season. i agree in general, though. i don't think he'll come back. but not because he CAN'T.
I don't think life without Clemens is the end of the Astros. A rotation of Oswalt, Pettitte, Backe, Rodriguez and Astacio isn't that bad.
Not at all, but they will need to upgrade the hitting with that rotation. If both Bagwell and Clemens retire at the end of the year that would free up about $40 million to bring in a free agent.
if we have that rotation, I really do worry that the number of shutouts we'll have thrown against us next year, will be tripled lol we sure as hell better get some bats to backup a staff that tails downward after 2 starters.
No argument on the offensive upgrade needed. Berkman needs to play 1st base. Burke's progress leads me to believe he could play left. Biggio at 2nd. Assuming Ensberg at 3rd, even with his playoff swoon. Taveras is in center. Ausmus behind the plate. I think there needs to be an upgrade in right field. I just don't buy Lane as an everyday player. The Astros are too weak at the other spots to support Everett as SS. The guy can't even bunt. I'm not so sure they shouldn't have DH'd for Everett and let Pettitte bat. At least Pettitte can bunt.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2005/news/story?id=2202800 Garner: 'Roger Clemens is pitching the fifth game' HOUSTON -- If the Astros force a Game 5 in the World Series, Roger Clemens is expected to get the nod to start. On Monday, Astros manager Phil Garner said he planned to start Clemens if there was a Game 5 on Thursday night in Houston. The Houston ace was forced out of Game 1 after only two innings, walking gingerly because of a recurring strained left hamstring that has bothered him since September. The Astros lost the opener 5-3, and now trail 0-2 in the best-of-seven series after a dramatic 7-6 loss to the White Sox on Sunday. Garner said either Wandy Rodriguez, who worked 3 1/3 shaky innings in relief of Clemens in Game 1, or Ezequiel Astacio, who started 14 games for the Astros this season, would get the nod if Clemens wasn't healthy. But Garner seemed certain that Clemens would be ready. "Roger Clemens is pitching the fifth game right now," Garner said. Clemens was given a cortisone shot after Saturday's game, a baseball official who was updated on Clemens' condition told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark on Sunday. Because Clemens has responded to these shots in the past, the Astros hadn't ruled out the possibility that he could pitch again in this World Series. "He's just a special individual. Sometimes your will can go a lot farther than your body," teammate Jeff Bagwell said Sunday. "The legend grows every day for him. I just think this could be another special time." Astros pitching coach Jim Hickey said that while Clemens' hamstring issues began in late August or early September, his health had actually been improving until Saturday. "Once he first tweaked it, it was a two- or three-start kind of thing," Hickey said Sunday. "Then he started to get some other aches and pains, to some extent because he was trying to compensate for the hamstring. But I really thought he was past it. He was able to make two or three starts before this with no effects at all." Hickey said he thought Clemens tweaked the hamstring on Saturday while making a break to cover first base in the second inning. Clemens, who led the majors with a 1.87 ERA this season, gave up three runs. Jayson Stark is a senior writer for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was also used in this report.
