[新聞] Clemens ready to start work with Astros

[gerkk (小懶熊的寶貝老公)]

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens is ready to
begin a personal services contract with the Astros next season, though he
hasn't officially retired.
"We are going to proceed as if he is retired, in terms of the Astros
contract," Clemens' agent Randy Hendricks wrote in an e-mail to MLB.com on
Wednesday. "He has already done work for the Astros in the past. I don't
foresee a problem."

Maybe not a problem, but there was a least of bit of confusion on the part of
the Astros.

Their understanding of the 10-year personal services contract Clemens agreed
to in 2004 is that it would not begin until he officially retired as an
active player.

"I believe it does," Astros owner Drayton McLane Jr. said Wednesday. "When
the contract was signed four years ago, we thought that would be the only
year he'd pitch for us, and [the personal services contract] was part of
[the] first-year contract. To my recollection, he has to be officially
retired."

That is Houston general manager Ed Wade's understanding of the agreement as
well.

"I would assume that would be the case, because you couldn't work for one
club and still be employed by another, now whether or how free agency impacts
that, I'm not sure," Wade said. "I'm pretty sure for him to be employed by
one club he cannot be employed by another, but don't hold me to that. I'm not
a lawyer. I've never had personal services systems before, and now I've got
maybe the ultimate old-timers All-Star team."

Wade was referring to Clemens and other former Astros serving in similar
capacities, such as Nolan Ryan, Jeff Bagwell, Enos Cabell and Craig Biggio.

Clemens, interviewed by a Houston television station at his annual charity
golf tournament at Shadow Hawk Golf Club in Richmond, Texas, indicated his
status is unchanged, though he is looking forward to working with Astros
prospects in the future.

"What was it, [2004-05]? We worked real hard with Drayton to get the personal
service contract that really a lot of people made a big deal of, and it
wasn't that big a deal for me," Clemens told KRIV-TV. "It's important because
I get to work with the young kids and work in the organization which I love
to do.

"I am going to be doing the same things I've always done, whether it kicks in
now or kicks in five years from now. Again, it's great that it was part of
the contract way back when, but for me, it's great I get the opportunity
because I get the opportunity to work with the kids and I get to be a part of
an organization that I really love and that I have to come to know -- not
only as a fan and a season-ticket holder, but as a player -- and now I get a
chance to work with these guys."

McLane hadn't talked to Clemens or Hendricks on Wednesday, but they are
expected to very soon.

"I have not had a chance to talk to either Roger or Alan Hendricks, who we
usually talk to when we deal with Roger," McLane said. "I'm sure we will in
the next few days."

Added Clemens: "To me, it's no different than telling you about retirement.
It's great. I'm sure I'll visit with them before. If the Astros ask me to do
anything at any point in time, I will obviously jump in with both feet and I
love to do it."

Clemens will coach at the team's Elite Camp for prospects this winter.

"That's exciting for young pitchers," McLane said. "We're looking forward to
it. We're anxious, if he's ready."

Wade also applauded Clemens' plans.

"I think any player willing to give back to the game in some capacity
deserves to be applauded, whether it's a high-profile guy or a low-profile
guy, whether it's somebody in a lucrative personal services arrangement or
whether it's somebody after playing for a long time wants to come back to
manage a ballclub," Wade said. "It's the only way our game will continue to
get better."

Clemens, who owns a 354-184 career record, is eighth on the all-time
victories list and first among active pitchers. In career strikeouts, he
trails only Ryan.



Complete coverage >
The 45-year-old Clemens went 6-6 with a 4.18 ERA in 17 starts and one relief
appearance for the Yankees in 2007. He was slowed by foot and elbow injuries
this season, then hurt a hamstring and left in the third inning of his AL
Division Series start against Cleveland.

Clemens' former Yankees teammate, Andy Pettitte, also was at the golf
tournament, and he told KRIV he is no closer to making a decision on his
future. What he is sure about is he will not cut corners just to play again.

"I won't play if it's going to mean trying to shortcut trying to get ready
for the season," Pettitte told KRIV. "There's a time when I realize I won't
be able to get ready for the season, and then there will be a situation where
I won't play."

Pettitte hasn't given himself any concrete deadlines, but he says it will be
difficult to return to the game if he hasn't made a decision by January.

"I am a realist, and I realize that come the first of the year I won't be
able to prepare myself the way I need to prepare myself for a baseball
season, and I won't do that if my mind hasn't changed or if I haven't felt
it's something I want to do," Pettitte said. "The bottom line is I've spoken
with the Yankees plenty of times -- just not real sure if I want to play or
not. Like I said, I am going to play with them next year or I am going to be
at home."
---

老克準備要去太空人
糟糕  小派岌岌可危 ... 今年要被反招喚了嗎

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◆ From: 61.64.47.64
推 siliver:搞不好哩......看來MO和厚黑能不能留下來是關鍵....
推 redsnipertd:出發? 怎麼講的好像他要去太空人當明年SP一樣...
※ 編輯: gerkk           來自: 61.64.47.64          (11/08 11:24)
推 OoyaoO:老克還能繼續投喔  囧？
→ OoyaoO:看錯了＝ ＝ 原來是顧問
推 sycc:老派不會回去了吧 他說過不是再留一年就是退休..
推 danbin:小派 >"<
→ Nilthoron:小派留下來~~~~~
推 championer:老客難道不想參加北京奧運嗎??這一值都是他的夢想