ROGER CLEMENS HALL OF FAME SPEECH

Commissioner John “Stray” Corrado’s Introduction Speech for Roger Clemens:

William Roger Clemens, a.k.a. “The Rocket”, was born in Dayton, Ohio. He is the first of two pitchers today to be inducted in the MWBL Hall of Fame, both of them [Randy Johnson to be inducted afterwards] are both known for their fierce competitive nature and hard-throwing style. Clemens lived in Vandalia, OH until 1977, and then lived most of his high school years in Houston, Texas; It was there in high school, his senior year where he was drawing attention from scouts of the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins of MLB — he opted to go to college, first at San Jacinto College North & then the University of Texas at Austin.

Clemens started his MWBL career with the Laredo Lightning, a team that departed from the Iowa Baseball Confederacy (APBA Baseball League). His MWBL career made him a “gun for hire” in his 12 seasons in the MWBL, playing for 8 different franchises, most of his success would be in a Tempe Tempers uniform (playing 5+ seasons with that franchise). He was acquired for his first stint with Tempe in late 1998 for their World Championship push, winning his first ring at the end of the season, he would win another ring with Tempe in their repeat in 1999.

Clemens has an amazing career record of 216-73 (4th all-time in wins), while his .747 winning percentage is the best in MWBL history. Clemens’ career ERA of 2.92, ranks 4th among retired MWBL players, while his 2,255 strikeouts ranks 6th all-time — Clemens recorded 301 K’s in 1999 for Tempe, which would be the 6th best individual strikeout season ever. From his 216 wins, Clemens reached 20+ victories in 5 different seasons, and 28+ wins in two different seasons, that included a perfect 30-0 season in his 2nd stint with Tempe in 2006; During his 30-0 season in 2006, Clemens also had 206 K’s with a 1.24 ERA.

He was the very definition of “workhorse” averaging 203.4 innings per season, which not to many in the history of this league can say they averaged over 200 innings a season. Some can argue that he is also the very definition of “winner”, nearly reaching the playoffs every year of his career; Roger would capture 4 World Championships (all with Tempe, 98′-99′, 2001 & 2006), and three other league pennants with Tempe (2000 & 2007) and the Chicago Mobsters (2005) — That’s 7 World Series appearances in 12 MWBL Seasons. His World Series record is 6-2, 2.41 ERA with 89 K’s in 82.1 innings (a .935 WHIP).

Clemens, also was a 7-time All-Star (3-time starter, starting all for Tempe), including an All-Star bid as a member of Laredo (1997) & Chicago (2005). Won the N.L. Cy Young twice with Tempe in 1998 & 2006 (2006, happened at 44 years of age) — the season he went a perfect 30-0. Clemens also won the World Series MVP Award (twice), both in 1998 & 1999 for Tempe.

Ladies & Gentleman, “The Rocket”…

[Clapping]

 

Roger Clemens Speech:

Thank you Mr. Commissioner.  Thank you everyone for making it out here today. When you include my time in the IBC, plus my time with the Mid-West Baseball League, all I can say is that it’s been a long, incredible trip. When I was young, I just threw two pitches, a 98 mile-per-hour fastball, and a hard breaking ball, I simply reared back and through the ball past everyone, it was like catch me, if you can. Then I got a little wiser, and developed “Mr. Splitty” [some chuckles from crowd, with sly grin by Clemens]… a devastating off-speed split-fingered fastball — that pitch alone, made my career go the distance. By the end of my career, I had two different fastballs, including a four-seam fastball that would clock 94, a slider in the 80’s, and an occasional curve.

When I look back at my career, I believe that durability stands out, I idolized the great Nolan Ryan when I was younger, and pretty much took note of everything he did to help prepare myself against the competition. Barry talked about intensity earlier, I brought that to the table every time, for some it came off as brash or arrogant, whatever, I will take that, if it means becoming one of the best ever, I will be brash & arrogant all the time, however you want to paint it. I just loved going out there and pitching, blowing it right past you every time. Nothing in the world can match that feeling, coming up with the big strike out, and making that batter look foolish.

By the way, I just need to mention that I had to chuckle under my breath, when Barry mentioned he was overwhelmed earlier, [Clemens looking over at Bonds sitting], now you know how I felt when I had to face you pal [Laughter from crowd, Bonds laughing]… I am just fortunate to have you as a teammate for a few years there.

When I run into fans on the street, if they are not bringing up the World Championships, they are often bringing up the perfect 30-0 season. It’s an amazing feeling to hear fans talk of the perfect season, and how much that season [2006] meant to them, it was possibly my biggest accomplishment in my baseball career, and to do that at 44 years of age, may never be duplicated, by anyone. Not to sound cocky, but I couldn’t duplicate that again if you sent myself back in time — Without words, I can’t explain how flawless that season felt. I would imagine it had to be on the lines of Bob Gibson in 1968 — he must have felt invincible, I felt everything just fell into place for me that season.

I have been blessed to have played in such an amazing league, to have the privilege to play in 7 World Series, including four World Titles for the most decorated franchise in league history, the Tempe Tempers — to be part of their rich history was everything I imagined it would be.

I want to thank my family for the constant support, my loving wife Debra, and my wonderful kids, Koby, Kory, Kacy, and Kody. I want to thank my mother for making sure my baseball dreams come true, and to my late father Woody, I know you are smiling down on me, I want to thank my fans, the IBC, all of the organizations I played for, and last, but not least, John “Stray” Corrado & the Mid-West Baseball League, and the owners & writers for my induction into the MWBL Hall of Fame, to be listed among the most talented players that ever have played the game, is absolute pleasure. Thanks you!

[Clemens leaves podium, to applause]

HALL OF FAME
CANDIDATES
ANNOUNCED
MONDAY
12/02/2024

AT 10:00 AM - ET!

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