Roger Clemens flew into Yankee Stadium this past week to save “Gotham” from total disaster. He arrived without notifying his best friends – Pettite, Jeter, Posada – fellow pinstripe teammates. He hovered in the box over the crowd that was watching a day time baseball game. During the seventh inning stretch, Roger grabbed the microphone and announced that the second coming had arrived – or was it the third or fourth coming. He claimed not to be able to resist the opportunity to reunite with his pals who were in trouble and give the Organization another championship. The fans (boys, girls, fathers, mothers, etc.) looked up towards the heavens and saw the hero announce that he had risen again to save those who could not take care of themselves.
What is the real story? It is that he was contacted by the Yankee general manager at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. What was he doing there? He was thinking of doing his resurrection up there. Also, he was considering his most holy appearance in Houston. So, why did he choose the Bronx to perform this miracle? How does $28,000,000 sound as a very good explanation.
I’m certainly a respectful appreciator of the achievements of Roger Clemens. He has been a magnificent pitcher and deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. But, this latest stunt has cast a darker shadow on his image. He said his good byes and everyone wished him well. He already road into the sunset as a pitcher. Everyone cried their tears. Now he wants baseball fans to be so excited about his return.
As a child I wanted to trust my heroes. When they said something I listened. I looked to them for a moment of truth about how to conduct myself as a man. Say it ain’t so, Roger. When Mattingly said his good byes, he came back as a coach. This was a model for what life is about and how to deal with the existential realities of life. This helps children deal with the stages of development.
When Roger announced that he couldn’t resist rejoining his pals to save the team and give the fans another championship he is disingenuous. His ego could not be so large as his behavior indicates or could it be? Does he really see himself as a savior? He owes his ex-teammates and fans a more honest expression of motivation. What does this do to the morale of a team? What does it do to the kids who have been Roger Clemens fans? I am suggesting Roger is only serving Roger, not his team, his fans or baseball itself.
by Paul Schienberg, PhD
