The Return of Roger

Like many yankee fans, I shared in the excitement today as Roger Clemens surprised everyone with his announcement of returning as a Yankee this season. I'm not thrilled but happy that we have achieved more stability in the lineup.

Clemens feels that he could help out the ballclub's pitching due to some of the injuries they've been having. To be frank, the existing pitching, healthy or not, is not up to speed. Kei Igawa or that Raznor? Are you kidding me? If you're a batter up at the plate and game is on the line, do you want to be facing Igawa or Clemens? Case closed. Clemens has always been a big game pitcher.



Another immediate benefit he'll bring is eliminating the need for these awful mid-relievers the yanks have had, namely Farnsworth, Myers and Vizcaino. Clemens will last a solid 6 innings at the very least, easing the toll on Proctor, Henn, Bruney and Rivera.

One last thing Clemens brings: leadership to the bullpen. Moose, Pettitte, and Wang are good pitchers but I don't see them providing any leadership for the bullpen. There is no sense of dominance and winning attitude. Clemens will be that guy, as he always has been. If one of the yanks batters gets pegged, Clemens will instill fear with retaliation the very next inning.

Now having said all of that, it may very well be the case that Clemens gets shelled on his first outting and doesn't go more than three innings. But probably not likely, due to his workout routine, he has built himself into a power pitcher with tree-trunk legs that will keep his velocity up.

I echo Jeter's reaction when he told the YES network that the Yanks can't rely on Roger and have to continue battling with the squad they have. Yet his weekly text messages requesting his comeback convey that Jeter is probably pumping his fists privately in the locker room. Welcome back Roger.