The "Arlington Oak", Timinator Phillips called on Monday to allow me to vent if I felt betrayed by Roger Clemens' signing with the Gotham Pinstripes.
I told the sculpted Timinator (3rd Place, Mr. DFW) that I would have to call him back after collecting my thoughts. First, I had to consider what we know:
THE ROGER - 7 Time Cy Young Winner, 11 Time All-Star, AL MVP, 7 Time ERA Ldr, Couple of Rings, 1st ballot HOF'er, blah, blah, blah...
*Loyalty is not the coin of the realm in business, and definitely not so in sports. Would the Astros be so heartbroken if Clemens hadn't been so good last year? Where is the loyalty to a free-agent when he's long in the tooth and recovering from Tommy John surgery? No GM has ever explained the signing of a gimpy has-been free-agent with the term: "for old time's sake".
**There's even less mutual loyalty in Gotham than in the real world. When Roger puts his jacket in the dugout during his first game back, he won't be bumping into Mel Stottlemyre and Don Zimmer. They've been excused by the Boss, despite their notable investments in the team's past good fortunes. Zimmer was so bitter about the disloyalty embodied by Steinbrenner that he dedicated fully 20 percent of his book, the Zen of Zim to the chapter and verse of his mistreatment in New York.
***All the gullible hayseeds in Houston, emailing the Houston Chronicle's Crybaby Section Editor about Roger's infidelity should ask themselves one question: What would they do if they themselves held a royal flush, while sitting at life's card table surrounded by the game's biggest scoundrels? If they were smart, they would cash in.
Loyalty is a quality of paramount importance. Men should be loyal to their wives, their families, friends and their country. But, the term has no place in business. Any employee in MLB can trust an owner as far they can throw his bloated body. They deserve no loyalty. If you don't believe me, ask Richardo Hidalgo. The operative term in the MLB is "LEVERAGE".
********************************************
Mike Reed from Pasadena, Texas Retorts on Rocket...
I agree. Roger had the right to cash in. If the Madman of Gotham wants to pay an overweight, self-absorbed, grandiose, marketing genius, (most-likely steroid or HGH taker) 28 million, who is the chump?
Roger pitched well for the Astros both years and could have easily had many more wins if not for the ineptitude of the offense. Roger is a Hall Of Fame pitcher that is using the free market system to perfection. He is the Rembrandt of self-promotion and so far he has performed. What do you want? To pitch your last days with a club like the Astros? Or, do you want to go out playing for the most historic and celebrated franchise in history of sport? What Jersey will the Rocket display in Cooperstown? The Astros? PleaZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Personally, I believe Roger is a self absorbed, egomaniac, with no loyalty to anyone but Roger. However, as far as his family goes.... (Hey honey, mind if I play a few months this summer for a cool $28 million? Probably can buy you a new Hummer with the extra cash. I can stop making those ridiculous HEB commercials with Andy Pettite and the washed up Carr.)
This is business and Roger owes nobody nothin. That is Texas English at its best. If I am the Astros I move on without even a second thought. The Astros do not need Clemons. They can spend 18 million or 28 million on some younger talent. Time to rebuild. The Astros have one of the highest winning percentages in baseball over the years. True fans can chill out and allow the team to rebuild. A fourth place finish is not the end of the world. Go to the ball park for the entertainment and the joy of the game. Enjoy watching other teams' talented players. Take a lesson from Cub Fans for Heaven’s sake.
Enough about Roger and his disloyalty to Houston. Who cares? We have terrorists trying to kill us and the possibility of a woman president. Here is a scenario for you cry babies. Astros and Yankees in the 2007 World Series, Roger on the mound in game seven; bottom of the ninth, two outs, man on 3rd (the winning run). Roger beans Biggio, the all time hit-me king, both benches empty. Nolan Ryan comes out of the stands and kicks Roger's ass. After the melee has ended came is forfeited and MLB declares the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Champions.
**********************************************
The Beaumont Gladiators played like Gladiolas on Sunday in Humble, Texas despite pummeling both the Austin Wings (6-1) and Houston Slam (6-1) on Saturday in the "Head of the Class" NIT Qualifier.
On Saturday, Peerless Price Jacobs had the 1st game's biggest highlight with a 3 RBI moonshot over the left field fence. Solid pitching was delivered all day on May 5th by Jacobs, "Wild Thing" St. Clair, "Mousetrap" Dugas, "Papa John" Titus and "Farmer" Scoggins.
An uneven effort on Sunday quashed any chance at advancement, despite gritty performances by Caleb Henry and "Soft-toss" Markum.
The Gladiators will play next at Box Stadium at Louisiana State University on May 19th, 2007 in the Battle of the Box.
