You cool with part-time Dodgers?
Most folks have the luxury of lounging on Sundays, so it was fitting that Roger Clemens would use this particular day of the week to announce he's joining the Yankees. That the proclamation came during the 7th inning was a nice touch, since he boarded the U.S.S. Steinbrenner twenty-nine games into the season and won't be required to travel with the team during roadies he's not scheduled to pitch. Throw in the fact that nobody's really denying the permeating "rental" vibe, and it all makes sense that the 7th inning stretch would serve as a sounding board venue. Why not announce it to the world while everyone's grabbing a beer, singing "Take me out the ballgame," or doing anything other than really focusing on the team? It's not like Clemens is focusing on it, either.
Look, I'm not naive. I'm fully aware that baseball, like any sport, indulges "treatment" towards its stars. All teams do it to some degree with their big name players and I don't even have a problem with it. Most businesses style out their important guys. And when you've had a Clemens-esque career, you've undoubtedly earned a perk or three. No question.
But there should always be limits, especially when said perks directly contrast the message a franchise should be trying to create. To treat someone as an important member of a squad (both in terms of skill and financially- Dude's making 4.5 mil a month), but allow his stay to include circumstances that ridiculously set himself apart from that same squad ain't cool. To not only allow a player to blatantly put himself above the team, but actually endorse it? Ain't cool. I don't care if his teammates, Joe Torre or the fans truly don't mind. Ain't cool. I thought his deal with Houston last season was ridiculous and I think the same thing now. There will be some who think that any elitism spawned by this treatment is offset by the wisdom he can impart on the younger players or championship-free vets. Maybe, but those folks better be allowed to text message Clemens questions from the dugout. Otherwise, they may end up S.O.L. if they wanna gain some knowledge during a Clemens-free roadie.
Let me put it this way. Barry Bonds is among the most self-absorbed athletes in sports history. Unless things have changed since the last time I visited the Giants clubhouse, Bonds' locker is off in a corner and features a cushy recliner (while his teammates sit in "everyday shnook" chairs) to go along with his private TV. By most reports, he's made friends with roughly zero teammates during his career. To say the least, he seems perfectly content to separate himself from them in blatant fashion. And compared to Clemens, Bonds is just one of the fellas. In its own right, kind of an impressive achevement on Roger's part.
But that's just my take. I'd like yours. If Clemens (or "Superstar X") was brought into the Dodger fold under similar circumstances, how would you feel? Are you okay with the set up, because of the positives that may come with the player involved? Say what you will about the arrangement, but Clemens still has great stuff and is a proven winner. Do the potential ends justify the means? Or would this simply rub you the wrong way, to see a guy waltz into a new clubhouse with a singular set of rules? Does that send a message you can't reconcile?
Thoughts?
- AK
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As Vince Lombardi once said, 'winning isn't the most important thing, its the only thing.' Or something like that. If the Yanks can cash that world series check NO ONE on that team or city will be complaining.. Philosophical debates are great, but its all about the winning an the bucks that go along with winning.
David
a realist
Posted by: David | May 08, 2007 at 02:29 PM
clemens is the best pitcher of our era, he has earned the right to do what he wants as long as the team goes along with it. The yanks are full of vets the club-house can handle it. I dont think it would be a problem if the rocket was on the dodgers, we have quality guys and are professionals they would only care if he can still bring it and i think he can untill he proves he cant. Bonds is a whole different story he is a jerk nobody likes him, clemens has strong ties with teamates and is a class act
Posted by: bigtaxdizzle | May 08, 2007 at 02:38 PM
If the Dodgers were to sign someone like Clemens, I'd stop rooting for them. His kind of self-centered, drama queen antics have no place in the Dodger clubhouse. Look at what Colletti has done with disruptive, me-first types. Gone are Odalis, Drew, Lugo, Ritz Carlton Hall.
His "announcement" was pure theatrics. Had it been done here, it would have been thoroughly based as "Hollywood", and rightfully so. But, since it took place in New York, around which the rest of the baseball, sports and news world is supposed to bow down and revolve, it is "big news".
Karma will get both him and the Yankees.
Posted by: Chunkdog32 | May 08, 2007 at 02:41 PM
AK/BK,
I thought you two would get a kick out this:
Jordan dunking on Hendrickson...
http://www.geocities.com/mjlove9697/love9697/9697ClippersLanceHendrickson.jpg
Of course, the irony is that they both got into baseball, and it was Hendy, not Jordan, who made it. As stargazin said, I guess that means Hendy is the better athlete. HAHA!
Posted by: LoLo | May 08, 2007 at 04:51 PM
I'm with you AK, I don't think there is room for this type of teammate. I know that Clemens is a class act but when a team is trying to acheive the pinnacle of their profession they should be as one. Even though his teammates say they don't have a problem you can bet deep down inside, some resent it. Of course I am not taking anything away from Roger's Hall of Fame career. Roger has been and is a true superstar in MLB but I think it just screams, "This is all about me". Barry Bonds has no personality, he is a @#$ and he doesn't care who knows it.
AK
This is way past a perk. I just hope the Dodgers never feel that they must do something like that to win. My goodness, you could just about field another minor league team with this type of money. If Roger feels that he wants to continue with his career, then he should do it--all of it.
Posted by: Package | May 08, 2007 at 05:29 PM
One of our favorite analysts, John Kruk, ripped Clemens for his selfishness and the phony "spend time with my family excuse". So, we do agree on something.
Package, yeah, Clemens is a class act.......low class. What a horrible teammate.
Posted by: Chunkdog32 | May 08, 2007 at 05:53 PM
Lolo,
Good to hear from you, dude. How's it going? Thanks for the pic. I guess if you're gonna get posterized, it might as well be by a legend. At least he wasn't a facial from Travis Knight. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 08, 2007 at 06:33 PM
AK,
Or Mark Madsen.
Posted by: Chunkdog32 | May 08, 2007 at 07:09 PM
AK,
Much better now that the Lakers' season is over. That was some hard work, and now I can concentrate on the Dodgers. I'll try to stop by more often.
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing; at least Hendy didn't get cheated by letting Manute Bol or "Big Country" (remember him?) dunk on him. HAHA!
Posted by: LoLo | May 08, 2007 at 07:11 PM
It's time for Jeff Kent to hit the road. His attitude sucks. Hustle you hillbilly.
Posted by: Emet | May 08, 2007 at 07:15 PM
Another big homer night by our number 3 hitter Nomar...2 more years of this?
Is he thru or what?
Posted by: DODGER 1955 | May 08, 2007 at 08:19 PM
Here's some interesting info that certainly isn't helping. Last year, Pierre was the hardest to strike out in the NL, once every 19 A.B.s Thus far, he is striking out once every 10 times up.
Nomar was 2nd hardest to fan, once every 15 at bats. He is also at a rate of once every 10 times this year.
Harder to score when the top of the lineup doesn't put the ball in play, move up runners.
Sunday's loss, as well as tonight's were both winnable games. Instead, the Dodgers gave both away.
Posted by: Chunkdog32 | May 08, 2007 at 09:35 PM
AK/BK,
I thought you two would get a kick out this:
Jordan dunking on Hendrickson...
http://www.geocities.com/mjlove9697/love9697/9697ClippersLanceHendrickson.jpg
Of course, the irony is that they both got into baseball, and it was Hendy, not Jordan, who made it. As stargazin said, I guess that means Hendy is the better athlete. HAHA!
funny as hell!
Posted by: THE WOLF | May 08, 2007 at 09:57 PM
whats up lolo!!!
Posted by: THE WOLF | May 08, 2007 at 09:58 PM
ESPN's Bill Simmons said it best, Clemens' HOF plaque won't show a Yankees or Red Sox hat, the hat will simply have a dollar sign on it.
Posted by: Jason | May 09, 2007 at 08:40 AM
Jason-
There are few things that can get me to actively root against a player (it's just not my thing), but Clemens is right there now. Actually, the last couple years of this have been pretty annoying, last year especially. It really is one of the great displays of athletic narcisissm (and perhaps bad spelling) the world has ever seen.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 09, 2007 at 09:36 AM