Roger Clemens Was That Close to Returning To Red Sox Nation
After losing out in the Clemens sweepstakes, Theo Epstein downplayed Boston's pursuit of the future first ballot hall of famer. Others in the Red Sox organization were not able to conceal their disappointment. Tom Werner, the Hollywood producer who co-owns the Red Sox, was quoted as saying, "I thought we had him."
From as early as last December, top officials from the Red Sox - John Henry, Tom Werner, Theo Epstein, and Larry Lucchino - courted the Rocket on more than one occasion. They visited with him in Arlington when he sat with Rangers' owner, Tom Hicks to watch a game. They visited him again at a different location a short while thereafter, giving him a specially made DVD of highlights from his stellar career.
Red Sox brass even began a campaign back home, bringing out Roger Clemens memorabilia in and around Fenway Park, and doing their best to create a nostalgic atmosphere that played a constant theme: let's have Roger complete a full circle and retire from baseball on the same team that he entered the league with in the early 80s.
According to Roger Clemens' agent, the Red Sox put a final offer of $21,000,021.00 on the table just before Roger decided to return to the Houston Astros. Twenty-one million and twenty-one dollars. As we all know, Roger ended up signing a twenty-two million dollar contract with the Astros, to be paid on a pro-rated basis.
Can you imagine what Yankee stadium would have been like had Roger pitched for the Red Sox this season?
Surprisingly, the Yankees were never considered by Roger and his agents to be a serious suitor for his services.
- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com
From as early as last December, top officials from the Red Sox - John Henry, Tom Werner, Theo Epstein, and Larry Lucchino - courted the Rocket on more than one occasion. They visited with him in Arlington when he sat with Rangers' owner, Tom Hicks to watch a game. They visited him again at a different location a short while thereafter, giving him a specially made DVD of highlights from his stellar career.
Red Sox brass even began a campaign back home, bringing out Roger Clemens memorabilia in and around Fenway Park, and doing their best to create a nostalgic atmosphere that played a constant theme: let's have Roger complete a full circle and retire from baseball on the same team that he entered the league with in the early 80s.
According to Roger Clemens' agent, the Red Sox put a final offer of $21,000,021.00 on the table just before Roger decided to return to the Houston Astros. Twenty-one million and twenty-one dollars. As we all know, Roger ended up signing a twenty-two million dollar contract with the Astros, to be paid on a pro-rated basis.
Can you imagine what Yankee stadium would have been like had Roger pitched for the Red Sox this season?
Surprisingly, the Yankees were never considered by Roger and his agents to be a serious suitor for his services.
- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com
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