After throwing three shutout innings last week for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League, former New York Yankee and Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens will make a second start for the team.
According to the Associated Press, the 50-year-old Clemens will pitch against the Long Island Ducks on September 7. In his first start for the team, Clemens threw 3 1-3 scoreless innings and also had two strikeouts against the Bridgeport Bluefish.
Although Clemens has said that he isn't concerned about playing the major leagues, many in the industry believe that he is pitching for the team as a warm-up for an appearance down the line. The last time Clemens pitched as baseball's highest level it was in 2007 for the New York Yankees.
Following this current MLB season, Clemens is eligible to be voted on for the Hall of Fame. He has spent the past few years fighting allegations in court that he used steroids and that he lied while appearing before a Congressional committee. Clemens swore under oath that he did not take steroids, while his former trainer Brian McNamee claimed he had given him the substance.
The first trial ended in a mistrial and the second ended this past June with the former Cy Young award winner being found not guilty on all six counts of lying to Congress.
Many Hall of Fame voters have stated publically that they will not vote for Clemens due to his public connection with steroids. If Clemens pitches again in the major leagues he would have to wait another five years before he can be voted on for the Hall of Fame.
Following this season other high profile players who have been connected to steroids are also eligible to be voted on, including former San Francisco Giant Barry Bonds and former Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa.
Some Hall of Fame voters have speculated that Clemens is looking to pitch in the major leagues so that his eligibility will be pushed back five years and will have a better chance of getting in if he is not associated with Bonds and Sosa.
Clemens has 354 career wins, over 4,500 strikeouts and has won an American League MVP Award as well as 2 World Series and 7 Cy Young Awards.
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