TAMPA – In preparation for what could be the final act of a Hall of Fame career, Roger Clemens spent part of the offseason working out with former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield’s personal trainer, Tim Hallmark.
Clemens showed off the results of another rigorous program yesterday when he arrived at Legends Field to take a physical in preparation for today’s first official workout.
Gone was the upper body bulk, and his 39-year-old biceps had gained definition. By the time Clemens starts his 18th big-league season he says his body will be the same as it has ever been: thick torso, powerful legs.
However, when asked if he reaches 300 wins – he needs 20 – this season would he retire, the six-time AL Cy Young Award winner danced.
“It could change,” Clemens admitted about reaching 300 victories as far as his future plans. “As soon as I say that, Andy [Pettitte] and Jete [Derek Jeter] make a comment that I have to keep going. I don’t know my feelings yet. Obviously, I hope [winning 20] happens this year.”
Asked if winning 20 in consecutive seasons would make it hard to walk away, Clemens said it wouldn’t. That could be an indication that this could be his final year if he becomes the 21st pitcher in big-league history to reach the coveted 300-win mark.
“No, not at all – I could walk away today and be fulfilled with every dream that I wanted to do at this level,” said Clemens, who was 20-3 last year and 1-1 in the postseason.
If Clemens, who will be 40 on Aug. 4, stays healthy, it’s likely he will keep at it.
And if he does, he made it clear The Bronx is his final stop. First, Clemens controls a 2003 option for $10.3 million after making $7.8 million this year. If he doesn’t pick it up, the Yankees owe him a buyout for the same amount.
Of course, the parties could tear that up and hammer out a new deal, though each side said yesterday no talks on the matter have been held. Second, another 20-win season would keep Clemens at the top of his game. So why walk away?
Clemens said a motivating factor for reaching 300 wins this year was having pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre witness it in uniform. Stottlemyre said last month this was his final season, though Clemens hinted that if Todd Stottlemyre, who will be a free agent following this season, signed with the Yankees, the elder Stottlemyre might stay.
On other fronts, Clemens says he has no beef with David Wells over a 1999 magazine article in which Wells, who said he was misquoted, accused Clemens of being selfish.
“Through meeting Boomer through Coney [David Cone], and knowing Boomer through the years, I have no problem with Boomer,” said Clemens, who was traded for Wells. “I never have, regardless of what he may say out of jest.”
The 300th-Win Club
Pitcher Wins
1. Cy Young 511
2. Walter Johnson 417
3. Grover Alexander 373
Christy Mathewson 373
5. Warren Spahn 363
6. Pud Galvin 361
Kid Nichols 361
8. Tim Keefe 344
9. Steve Carlton 329
10. John Clarkson 326
Eddie Plank 326
12.. Nolan Ryan 324
Don Sutton 324
14. Phil Niekro 318
15. Gaylord Perry 314
16. Tom Seaver 311
Mickey Welch 311
18. Charles Radbourne 308
19. Lefty Grove 300
Early Wynn 300
