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Roger Clemens
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Roger Clemens talks about his baseball career and the players he has faced and admired over the years.
Babe Ruth is No. 1, and Barry Bonds is the highest-ranked active player.
Clemens, 53rd on the list, has won a record five Cy Young Awards, led the American League in wins four times and has the distinction of winning the Triple Crown for pitching.
Yet there's one thing missing in Clemens' career: a world championship ring. He expects to win it this year with the Yankees. And why not? After winning an A.L. record 114 games in 1998, they still have the best talent in baseball.
Bob Costas, host of the show, talked with him recently, and during their conversation, it was obvious Clemens was honored to be named one of the century's greatest players.
Costas: Roger, you are a modern player who has a real respect for the game of baseball. You must have liked the book, THE SPORTING NEWS selects Baseball's 100 Greatest Players.
Clemens: I enjoyed it a lot. It was fun for me to ... look at (the players') faces, their noses, mouths, all of them-Christy Mathewson-and all of the guys who were ... pitchers .... I enjoyed reading the captions, especially (from) older managers and players.
Q: When you were a kid with the Red Sox, Ted Williams was in the clubhouse and he put you on the spot, right?
A: Ted put me on the spot a few times .... Word traveled extremely fast that he was in town and might be making an appearance in the clubhouse. It was 1987, the year after I had won (the Cy Young Award). I went into the back room, where the older players, the old-timers and the instructors were. I went back there to get a pair of sanitary socks. On my way there, I kind of glanced over and there were the DiMaggios, and I think Yogi (Berra) was there and, of course, Ted was there. He had a booming voice, and you could hear him. As I got my (socks), (Williams) stopped me in my tracks with a big loud voice (and said), "Hey kid, let me ask you something: I know you throw hard and everything, but if you had to face me, what would you throw me?" Of course, I am (saying), "Mr. Williams," and "Sir" and stumbling. He said, "I would look for your slider. You know why, kid? Because I could hit your fastball." I said, "Yes, sir, Mr. Williams." I just kept moving on.
Q: I'm going to throw out some names. Tell me what those people mean to you. Let's start with Sandy Koufax.
A: A perfect gentleman. I had the opportunity to meet him in Arlington (Texas), and I just didn't realize how great his career was .... I received the information from guys who played with him. I (also had) opportunities to hear (Don) Drysdale talk about him.
Q: Nolan Ryan.
A: Well, Nolan is a guy I looked up to, not only on the field, but off the field. I'm from Texas, and I had an opportunity to talk to him a number of times. When I was in my early teens, I didn't throw hard, and so I wondered how Ryan (would) generate his power. That's when I started (learning) about your lower-leg drive.
Article from "The Sporting News"
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