The Astros ace, who briefly retired last offseason, says he can't look too far ahead.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published October 17, 2004
HOUSTON - You knew the question would come up.
With Roger Clemens pitching what could be his final game, and doing it in front of family and friends in the city where he lives, you had to wonder if the 42-year-old was finally going to call it quits.
So what about it, Rog, is this your last October?
"I don't know if I look at it that way," he said. "I catch myself every once in a while thinking about it, that this could be it. But when you've been in situations I've been in the last few months, it's hard to sit there and ponder those thoughts. I won't look too far ahead just yet."
Good idea. Clemens left some hard feelings in New York last year when he announced his retirement from the Yankees and then signed with the Astros.
Still, the right-hander, 18-4 this season with a 2.98 ERA and 218 strikeouts in 2141/3 innings, admitted that more than ever he's dealing with competing pressures.
"I love the game and have a passion for it," Clemens said. "But there are some neat things that, even though I'm here at home playing, I'm still missing and need to be part of. But that won't diminish my effort the rest of the way, and it hasn't affected me this season, nor will I allow it."
Clemens' assignment Saturday at Minute Maid Park was to help save Houston's season. His response: a four-hitter over seven innings with seven strikeouts and two walks in a 5-2 victory over the Cardinals in Game 3 of the NLCS.
"Anytime you go out there and see what he's doing, and at the age he's doing it, it makes you play harder," pitcher Roy Oswalt said. "The spunk he brings to the game makes everyone play harder."
It's no coincidence Clemens lately has worn his Yankees World Series ring around the clubhouse.
"It brings back a lot of good memories and the hard effort that I put forth to obtain this ring," he said. "It's no different in the locker room with these young guys. It's good to talk about."
