In the screaming, never-ending talk show world we live in, Roger Clemens has an ulterior motive for everything.
If Clemens says the All-Star Game would be a nice place to bury the hatchet with Mike Piazza, he’s deemed a phony. If the seven-time All-Star said he might like a few days off instead, he’s deemed a whiner and a wimp.
“That’s talk shows and people who have their opinions that don’t know,” Clemens said yesterday morning, a day after he won his seventh straight, 7-5 over Tampa Bay. “They have to have people call in their talk show and have to have ratings.
“It’s sad that you have to be the vehicle for that and the venue for that.”
Since breaking in with Boston in 1984, the 38-year-old Yankees ace has seen his share of controversies. Yet he’s been ducking conspiracy theories left and right since he arrived in New York. It’s perplexing that some still insist Clemens has a diabolical reason for everything.
“A couple of coaches mentioned that to me the other day that they were perplexed by it, too,” Clemens said.
The veteran right-hander has carried the Bombers on his back, posting an AL best 11-1 record and a 3.59 ERA that’s eighth in the league. Although he’s never been an All-Star with the Yankees, he’d rather see a teammate like Mike Stanton make the team – even if it’s in place of Clemens’ eighth selection. Starters are announced tomorrow, and pitchers and reserves Wednesday.
“I’d put a vote in for several of my teammates,” Clemens said. “You’re on a team that’s world champs for three straight years, and those guys are a big part of it.”
Clemens and Stanton both hail from the Houston area and are close friends. The starter knows how important the setup man is.
“Those guys are always overlooked,” Clemens said. “It’s similar to the field goal kickers.
“The game’s on the line, and nobody even talks about them, and there they are winning you a big game. That’s the same scenario.”
In past All-Star games, Clemens hasn’t been able to shut off his intense drive, as Larry Walker or John Kruk did. Instead, he’s tried to pitch well despite the distractions.
“You recognize that [media crush], and you accept that’s part of it,” he said. “It’s a huge event and a lot of festivities, and so you welcome that and get your mind right.
“What’s difficult is to get yourself prepared to go out and get people out . . . because that’s essentially what you have to do.
“From that time you leave the hotel to the time you go out and do your stint, it can be extremely hectic. The fast pace and hecticness of the event, it makes you tired.”