Roger Clemens, fresh off a legal win on charges of perjury, has signed a contract to pitch for the Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League) and is expected to start Saturday night’s game.
Clemens last pitched in 2007 for the New York Yankees. According to AP, Clemens has been working out and pitched in a simulated game recently:
“His fastball was clocked at 87 mph; all of his pitches were working,” said Randy Hendricks, Clemens’ agent. “He threw a three-inning simulated game after an extensive workout warm-up.”
Clemens and Skeeters manager Gary Gaetti have been talking about this “for months,” Hendricks said.
He’s not the oldest guy to take the mound this season in indy ball: Bill “Spaceman” Lee is taking the mound for the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) this Thursday. He joins a team made up of many former major leaguers, including former Astros Tim Redding and Jason Lane.
“Roger came to work out for us today, and we were very impressed,” said Tal Smith, special advisor for the Sugar Land Skeeters. “He had great command of all his pitches and we couldn’t be more excited about this signing.”
Clemens is due to be on the ballot for the Hall of Fame this offseason. Signing with the Skeeters won’t affect that status; the rules state a player must be out of Major League Baseball for five years before such consideration.
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