Roger Clemens on the 2026 Crimson Sox, ABS system, and his MLB legacy

[ad_1] WORCESTER, Mass. – Roger Clemens arrived because the Visitor of Honor for WooSox Opening Day with core recollections of the fortieth anniversary of a particular season.

The 1986 marketing campaign began a run of over 20 years within the majors as among the best beginning pitchers within the sport. From studying from Corridor of Famer Tom Seaver to incomes a World Sequence journey, “The Rocket” hit the bottom working in Boston.

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“Nice recollections,” Clemens mentioned Friday at Polar Park. “For me, Boston being my residence, getting drafted out of the College of Texas, profitable the Japanese League. And earlier than I really went again to Texas after that season, the Sox had me come. That’s the primary time I obtained to see Fenway Park. So I assumed it was wonderful. And really, the sport, nonetheless bear in mind it, was Dennis Eckersley in opposition to Jim Palmer. And so I obtained to see these two guys work. And in order that was a deal with for me.”

It was April of 1986 when Clemens launched himself as a star within the league with a 20-strikeout effort in opposition to the Seattle Mariners, the primary such recreation in MLB historical past, on an evening to recollect at Fenway Park. Clemens matched the feat 10 years later in Detroit, although the primary occasion means simply as a lot 4 many years later.

“Each 20 strikeout video games have been actually cool,” Clemens recalled. “The primary one which stands out, principally it was early within the 12 months and I used to be proving to my teammates and to the ball membership that I used to be wholesome.”

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The Crimson Sox right-hander gave loads of credit score to the late Invoice Fischer, Boston’s pitching coach in 1986, for guiding him and persistently prioritizing the flexibility to refill the strike zone..

“So I used to be capable of get lots of data from him and he at all times harassed to not stroll guys,” Clemens defined. “Each 20 strikeout video games if you’re throwing that top charge of velocity and also you’re putting guys out, I didn’t stroll a man. So I believe I’m most proud about that. That’s most likely why I by no means threw a no-hitter.”

Clemens took management on the mound from the leap, the place he believes he known as as much as 95% of the pitches he threw to catcher Wealthy Gedman, who caught his previous starter’s ceremonial first pitch Friday afternoon. Within the fashionable period of PitchCom and MLB’s adoption of the ABS system, Clemens introduced his personal context to pitching in 2026.

“Yeah, I adore it,” Clemens shared. “, I really like that additionally they are that includes the excessive strike. They pinch you a bit bit east and west now. And naturally, with the ABS system, makes you say, I don’t assume the pitcher needs to be allowed. … I believe it needs to be the hitter and the catcher. They've the very best look. Even when you’re a mitt looker, you’re a pitcher that stares on the mitt all the time, you continue to lose sight of the baseball, flight of the ball in some unspecified time in the future. However yeah, I adore it.”

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Clemens reached the World Sequence with Boston earlier than a heartbreaking loss to the New York Mets. The 2026 Crimson Sox look to search out their solution to the Fall Basic for the primary time in eight years. Clemens will get his first have a look at the squad when Boston visits his residence state to tackle the Houston Astros subsequent week.

His keys to the season? Renewed chemistry within the clubhouse after dramatic stretches of 2025 along with the flexibility to lean on established pitching depth to counter the summer season months.

“I believe there’s lots of staff chemistry,” Clemens mentioned. “That’s crucial, which when you guys have been round me final 12 months after I got here up right here on radio and TV, the primary baseman (Triston Casas) obtained damage and I assumed that will be an ideal situation for the third baseman (Rafael Devers) at the moment to maneuver over to first. He’s an excellent participant, he’s in San Francisco now. In order that didn’t work out. Your staff chemistry needs to be there.”

The 63-year-old entered the Crimson Sox Corridor of Fame in 2014. He’s but to listen to his title known as in Cooperstown as a consequence of steroid scandals, although he is aware of his efficiency landed him among the many finest to ever throw a serious league pitch.

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“For me, which I’m hoping to do one thing actually cool that you simply guys will see, my son’s gonna go together with me,” Clemens shared, alluding to new initiatives surrounding his baseball profession. “I’m not even gonna inform you what it's, however I gotta go to Ohio for one thing. This Thurman Munson Award, which I had the privilege to win that. However I’m gonna do one thing else that offers with Cy Younger. And if you’re talked about with guys like Cy Younger or Babe Ruth or forward of Willie Mays and guys like that, you’re in fairly good firm. In order that’s ok for me.”