TAMPA — A seven-time Cy Younger winner will begin imparting perception on pinstriped pitchers Friday, as Roger Clemens is anticipated to reach at Yankees camp as a first-time visitor teacher.
Clemens has not been concerned with the crew since 2007, his final 12 months as a participant. That December, former Senator George Mitchell launched a report on performance-enhancing drug use in baseball, which implicated Clemens and Andy Pettitte, amongst different high-profile gamers.
In 2008, Pettitte mentioned The Mitchell Report and the federal authorities’s investigation into PEDs put a “strain” on his relationship with Clemens, an in depth buddy and longtime teammate in New York and Houston.
Clemens was later indicted and acquitted of mendacity to Congress about his alleged PED use. Pettitte testified in opposition to Clemens within the trial, however he later referred to as his unique testimony into query in 2012. Doing so broken the prosecution’s case in opposition to Clemens.
“We obviously have busy lives, a lot of kids running around, but I’ve seen Roger a bunch over the last year,” mentioned Pettitte, now a particular advisor and frequent presence with the Yankees. “He lives about a mile and a half away from me. So it’s fine. We get a chance to see each other occasionally, and I’m looking forward to getting a chance to see him.
“Everything’s great.”
Clemens, 62, and Pettitte, 52, had been initially teammates with the Yankees from 1999-2003. They received two championships throughout that span earlier than spending the following three years in Houston. The pair then returned to the Bronx in 2007. Pettitte completed his profession there in 2013, successful one other ring in 2009 and taking a 12 months off in 2011.
Whereas Pettitte remained a fan favourite after admitting he used human development hormone, Clemens’ connections to PEDs, which he denied, have tarnished the 354-game winner’s legacy and stored him out of the Corridor of Fame.
Nonetheless, public notion of the Steroid Period has softened in recent times, and the Yankees are eagerly awaiting Clemens’ return on Friday.
“Getting traded to the Yankees at the deadline [in 2003], I didn’t really know Roger,” supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned. “All I knew is he’s the guy to knock you down a little bit. So I kind of came in here thinking, ‘What’s this guy gonna be?’ And he turned into one of my favorite teammates ever.
“He’s got so much to offer, and he does love this game. I’m excited to have him.”
Boone added that he’s wished Clemens in camp for “the last couple years.” The skipper referred to as and texted “Rocket” this previous offseason earlier than the 2 linked up at a current autograph signing occasion in New Jersey.
Like Boone, Pettitte is assured that Clemens will be of service to the Yankees’ energetic pitching employees.
“He’s got as much baseball knowledge as anybody you’ll ever find,” Pettitte mentioned. “It’ll be great to have him down here. He’ll have all kinds of things, I’m sure, to share with our pitchers.
“Rog is one of the legends of this game. He’s probably the greatest pitcher that I’ve ever seen before. It’ll be a pleasure, I’m sure, for the guys down here to be around him.”
Pettitte additionally famous that it is going to be helpful having a right-handed visitor teacher at spring coaching, as he, CC Sabathia and Ron Guidry, all former Yankees in camp, are lefties.
One factor Pettitte isn’t certain about, nevertheless, is whether or not Clemens will throw batting apply. Pettitte does so on a regular basis, however he’s additionally 10 years youthful and has gotten common reps with the Yankees over the previous couple of years.
“I haven’t seen him throw since he was here, probably,” Pettitte mentioned. “I have no idea about that, but he’ll put a lot of wisdom in our guys, that’s for sure.”
Initially Revealed: February 20, 2025 at 5:33 PM EST
