GaryMrMets
11-04-2003, 06:34 PM
http://www.yesnetwork.com/announcers/index.cfm?cont_id=210679&id=2547&right_include=/customtags/dsp_announcers_module.cfm
Kay Korner: Rocket redux
http://www.yesnetwork.com/photos/kay_small.jpgBy Michael Kay
Special to YES Network Online
October 23, 2003
If Roger Clemens made his last major league start Wednesday night I am going to be extremely disappointed. Why? Because I am not finished watching him or enjoying him grunt through his craft.
Clemens is both extremely complicated while at times being unenencumbered by complications. He's complicated in the sense that his devotion to his craft is exceeded only by devotion to family. Usually, those that devote every breath and thought to their livelihood end up neglecting those they love. That is not the case with Clemens. His devotion to his family is so strong it is the main reason he is leaving the sport he has become so identifed with.
He is unencumbered by complications in that his dedication to his craft is so complete and workmanlike it resembles a blue-collar ethic. Go to work, work hard, leave nothing in the bucket, go home and repeat. Simple but effective.
Clemens has done the near impossible, remaining a power pitcher for his entire 20-year career. He came into the game grunting his way through nine innings, throwing in the 90s and Wednesday, in his last start, the script remained the same.
And the effectiveness is also there. Usually, one retires when effectiveness begins to wane. Not Clemens. His game is still strong and he is still one of the Yankees' four No. 1 starters. Joe Torre is as comfortable using Clemens in the first game of a postseason series as he is sending him out there in a must-win situation.
In fact, Clemens would be the Opening Day starter for more than half the teams in the majors next year if he decided to stick around. But still, he insists he is going to go. He has emphasized that from the start of spring training and has not deviated from his pledge. He has had enough and he claims he wants to see his four sons grow up. Noble enough for his sons, but a tough thing to accept for those that love this game. You do not want to give up the greats, especially one of the finest pitchers we have ever seen. Ever. If he is not the best of all time, he is certainly in the converstation.
And his stay in New York has actually made him almost loveable. In Clemens' tenure at Boston he was portrayed almost as a boor, a buffoon even; but in the Bronx, Clemens has allowed his personality to shine through. He is liked and respected by his teammates and has actually become some what of a go-to guy for the media.
As for Yankee fans, some were reluctant to embrace someone they viewed as a bit of a carpetbagger, but that has passed. He is one of them. He has earned his pinstripes, which all makes the parting so sorrowful. There is still gas in the tank and it seems somewhat wrong to end the journey. But the journey is his and he decides when to park the car. He is the director of the movie of his career and he has decided that this will be the final frame of his baseball life.
Again, unfortunately, I wasn't done watching.
Michael Kay is the Yankees' play-by-play broadcaster for the YES Network and is a regular contributor to YES Network Online.
http://www.yesnetwork.com/photos/clemens_inline1_1023.jpg
Roger Clemens brought the heat from Day 1 until his finale Wednesday night.
http://www.yesnetwork.com/photos/clemens_inline3_1023.jpg
Clemens, with son Kacy; one of the four reasons he's set on retiring.
Kay Korner: Rocket redux
http://www.yesnetwork.com/photos/kay_small.jpgBy Michael Kay
Special to YES Network Online
October 23, 2003
If Roger Clemens made his last major league start Wednesday night I am going to be extremely disappointed. Why? Because I am not finished watching him or enjoying him grunt through his craft.
Clemens is both extremely complicated while at times being unenencumbered by complications. He's complicated in the sense that his devotion to his craft is exceeded only by devotion to family. Usually, those that devote every breath and thought to their livelihood end up neglecting those they love. That is not the case with Clemens. His devotion to his family is so strong it is the main reason he is leaving the sport he has become so identifed with.
He is unencumbered by complications in that his dedication to his craft is so complete and workmanlike it resembles a blue-collar ethic. Go to work, work hard, leave nothing in the bucket, go home and repeat. Simple but effective.
Clemens has done the near impossible, remaining a power pitcher for his entire 20-year career. He came into the game grunting his way through nine innings, throwing in the 90s and Wednesday, in his last start, the script remained the same.
And the effectiveness is also there. Usually, one retires when effectiveness begins to wane. Not Clemens. His game is still strong and he is still one of the Yankees' four No. 1 starters. Joe Torre is as comfortable using Clemens in the first game of a postseason series as he is sending him out there in a must-win situation.
In fact, Clemens would be the Opening Day starter for more than half the teams in the majors next year if he decided to stick around. But still, he insists he is going to go. He has emphasized that from the start of spring training and has not deviated from his pledge. He has had enough and he claims he wants to see his four sons grow up. Noble enough for his sons, but a tough thing to accept for those that love this game. You do not want to give up the greats, especially one of the finest pitchers we have ever seen. Ever. If he is not the best of all time, he is certainly in the converstation.
And his stay in New York has actually made him almost loveable. In Clemens' tenure at Boston he was portrayed almost as a boor, a buffoon even; but in the Bronx, Clemens has allowed his personality to shine through. He is liked and respected by his teammates and has actually become some what of a go-to guy for the media.
As for Yankee fans, some were reluctant to embrace someone they viewed as a bit of a carpetbagger, but that has passed. He is one of them. He has earned his pinstripes, which all makes the parting so sorrowful. There is still gas in the tank and it seems somewhat wrong to end the journey. But the journey is his and he decides when to park the car. He is the director of the movie of his career and he has decided that this will be the final frame of his baseball life.
Again, unfortunately, I wasn't done watching.
Michael Kay is the Yankees' play-by-play broadcaster for the YES Network and is a regular contributor to YES Network Online.
http://www.yesnetwork.com/photos/clemens_inline1_1023.jpg
Roger Clemens brought the heat from Day 1 until his finale Wednesday night.
http://www.yesnetwork.com/photos/clemens_inline3_1023.jpg
Clemens, with son Kacy; one of the four reasons he's set on retiring.