The drama is over. The wait is on.
Roger Clemens, as many expected, decided to sign with the Yankees and made a grand re-entrance during their 5-0 victory over the Mariners yesterday at the Stadium.
Standing in George Steinbrenner's box, Clemens appeared on the Stadium's scoreboard screen at the seventh-inning stretch. From there, Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard told fans to turn their attention to the box, where Clemens spoke.
"Well, they came and got me out of Texas and I can tell you it's a privilege to be back," Clemens said. "I'll be talking to y'all soon."
How soon remains to be seen. But this much is known: Not long after the postgame press conference, the 44-year-old future Hall of Famer walked to left field at the Stadium and began playing catch. Minutes later, he was in the bullpen throwing pitches. So, the countdown is officially underway to Clemens' first game back with the Yankees. All indications are he could make his return within three weeks, after yesterday signing a one-year contract for $28 million that will be prorated depending on when he joins the major league roster.
"Make no mistake about it, I've come back to do what they only know how to do here, and that's win a championship," Clemens said. "Anything else is a failure, and I know that."
The Yankees wasted little time making it happen after GM Brian Cashman got a sense Thursday Clemens and his representatives were ready. After a conference call Friday with team officials, including Steinbrenner, the parameters of the deal were in place. Clemens' agent, Randy Hendricks, indicated the Yankees were the only team to which he made an offer. The Red Sox and Astros were the other teams considered.
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2 comments:
$28 million... Geez... For, what, 20 starts? If I were the Yanks, I'd ptch him every 2nd day to get my money's worth. What happens if he gets hurt? Yikes.
What is the payroll at now??? $300 million?
It's a gamble speakeasy. But if the Yanks go all the way, it's well worth it. As far as payroll goes; it doesn't matter to me how much they spend. There is no salary cap, so no rules are borken. Plus, the Yanks each year have to pay luxury taxes, so they are penalized for it.
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