C'mon NLmt you can figure this out. Either you're in, or you're out. Simply imagine what would happen if every good/great player attempted this. How in the HELL could you put together a team? So the Yanks spot the Sox 15 games back, then make the run, and fall just short of the postseason. It could be argued that had "The Rocket" joined them earlier, they wouldn't have had to spot them 15 games. Instead, MLB is now rewarding the Rocket for doing this, and I expect to see more players doing this as well. What used to happen during the offseason now will happen during the season, because of the "me" factor. One day PROFESSIONAL players will join teams just before the postseason, in essence becoming high-priced "ringers" because after all, they're pros. Players talk championships. TEAMS win championships. But really, it's all about the $$$$$$$$. Team? Are we talkin' 'bout TEAM? I mean, what are talkin' about, TEAM?????? :hihi:
Not at all. Steinbrenner is a lot of things, but stupid ain't one of them. I'll take 4 months of the Rocket over 6 months of Dice Who any day.
That's a valid point, and it's already happening. Kevin Willis signed with the Mavs right before the postseason and Pippen tried to do the same thing. I just think Clemens is a rare exception. We're talking about the best pitcher in the last 40 years, and maybe longer. It's also noted that at his age, he can't hold up for an entire season and into the postseason. If anything bothers folks, it should have been the sweetheart deal with the Stros that let him skip entire road trips. Now THAT is when you can argue that it's not about team. But again, he's a special player. I do hope this doesn't set a precedent for other guys, but I can't think of anyone coming down the pipe that could/would justify this.
clemens retires every year so he wont get tested and he can get one good cycle of roids and have his system clean before returning to Baseball. jason grimsley named pettitte and rocket in the roid/hgh scandal. selig is pretending they werent mentioned.
Because it seems as if he isnt part of the team. True team guys dont pick random teams to play for every year halfway through the season. Im not saying this shocks me or I expect it to change...just bothers me.
people talk about this rigorous offseason workout bs he has done his entire life as the reason for his longevity, a la jerry rice's. this is bogus. part of the reason the sox let him go was because he was a fat tub of goo. looking back, he started getting in shape for once right around the time bonds' head began rivaling the 'goodrich' blimp.
