Roger Clemens

SummaryEverything you need to know about Roger Clemens !!

Rookie Cards

1984 Fleer Update #27 (XRC)
1985 Donruss #273 (RC)
1985 Fleer #155 (RC)
1985 Leaf #99 (RC)
1985 Topps #181 (RC)

Figurines - (McFarlanes and Starting Lineups)

2005 MLB Sportsclix C Green
2005 MLB Sportsclix R Bronze

Full Birth Name: William Roger Clemens

Date of Birth: 08/04/1962

BirthplaceDayton, OH

Height6'4" Weight: 235 (give or take 5 lbs!)

BatsRight

ThrowsRight

CollegeUniv of Texas

Made his MLB Debut: 05/15/1984

Roger graduated from Spring Woods High School in Houston, TX in 1980. He was a 3 sport star athlete, winning letters in Baseball where he was a pitcher & 1st baseman (awarded All State Sr yr and also helped his Legion team win the State Championship in 1979); Basketball as a center (was two time letterman); and Football ( 3 time letterman at defensive end who also made the All District team).

Roger began his college career at San Jacinto Junior College - one of the most successful Junior College programs in the country, where he made All American in 1981. He then transferred to the University of Texas, where he was considered a good prospect but just happened to play on the same team as future Boston Red Sox teammates Calvin Schiraldi ( remember the 1986 World Series?) and Spike Owen. The list of Major Leaguers from this powerhouse started in the 1890's PLAYERS , so it was no small feat to be on the team. He was 25-7 in two years (1982-83) with 241 strikeouts in 275 innings. Once again he received All-American honors. To me his hilite should have been when he was the winning pitcher in the final game of the 1983 College World Series as Texas beat Alabama, 4-3 for the NCAA title-- but then again thats just me.

Few people remember that the NEW YORK METS drafted him out of Junior College in 1981 but he refused to sign, preferring instead to remain in college--- a nice decision for Red Sox fans as he was then drafted by the Boston red Sox in June 1983 in the 1st round (19th pick) of the 1983 amateur draft.

 ROGER'S MAJOR AWARDS :
 1986: American League Most Valuable Player 
 1986: All-Star Game Most Valuable Player 
 1986: American League Cy Young Award 
 1987: American League Cy Young Award 
 1991: American League Cy Young Award 
 1997: American League Cy Young Award 
 1998: American League Cy Young Award 
 1999: Named to All-Century Team 
 2001: American League Cy Young Award 
 2004: National League Cy Young Award

YEAR	TEAM	WINS	LOSSES	ERA	WALKS	STRIKEOUTS
1984	BOSTON RED SOX	9	4	4.32	29	126
1985	BOSTON RED SOX	7	5	3.29	37	74
1986	BOSTON RED SOX	24	4	2.48	67	238
1987	BOSTON RED SOX	20	9	2.97	83	256
1988	BOSTON RED SOX	18	12	2.93	62	291
1989	BOSTON RED SOX	17	11	3.13	93	230
1990	BOSTON RED SOX	21	6	1.93	54	209
1991	BOSTON RED SOX	18	10	2.62	65	241
1992	BOSTON RED SOX	18	11	2.41	62	208
1993	BOSTON RED SOX	11	14	4.46	67	160
1994	BOSTON RED SOX	9	7	2.85	71	168
1995	BOSTON RED SOX	10	5	4.18	60	132
1996	BOSTON RED SOX	10	13	3.63	106	257
1997	TORONTO BLUE JAYS	21	7	2.05	68	292
1998	TORONTO BLUE JAYS	20	6	2.65	88	271
1999	NEW YORK YANKEES	14	10	4.60	90	163
2000	NEW YORK YANKEES	13	8	3.70	84	188
2001	NEW YORK YANKEES	20	3	3.51	72	213
2002	NEW YORK YANKEES	13	6	4.35	63	192
2003	NEW YORK YANKEES	17	9	3.91	58	190
2004	HOUSTON ASTROS	18	4	2.98	79	218
2005	HOUSTON ASTROS	13	8	1.87	62	185
2006	HOUSTON ASTROS	2	3	2.43	9	27
TOTALS:	4 Teams	343	175	3.12	1529	4524

Located Here is BECKETT'S Current LARGEST ROGER CLEMENS GRADED CARD REGISTRY . In it you will see picture examples of over 500 cards, some readily avilable, others not such much. For example, a 1991 Starline Prototype. This was created by the famous poster company Starline in 1991 as a way of promoting their products. Only 60 known examples are thought to exist. This was in the age when the terms "one of one" or "low #" were considered not so good. There is also several 1 of 1 located in this collection. Several are regional issues, such as the Pacific Brand of cards sold mostly on the West Coast. Or several promo's such as the 1992 Silver Star Promo AD, touting the Authentix promotional tickets that also included a Hologramed card. Many other unique items can be found in the collection

If you have not graded cards yet-- check out the benefits here at Becketts Graded Card Registry

Below is the start of a picture/overall history of Rogers career, along with some quizzes thrown in to test your "Roger Clemensmania".

1984

 The"beginning" of the whole shebang.

Although drafted by the Mets, he never signed and eventually would up as a prime pitching prospect for the Red Sox.

To the average scout-- he was not much,as his pitching abilities were not fully developed. Still a raw talent, even the card companies were not aware of this Future Hall of Famer. So the only card company who deigned to pay any attention was FLEER-- with the now famous 1984 Fleer Update Set, seen below. Although Topps had its Trade series as early as 1981, this set generated the first real excitement of any time towards what were termed 'extended" rookie sets, all of which were designed to capture the September call-ups on cards, and to show traded verterans & stars in their new uniforms prior to the end of the season:

This set featured fabolous rookies Dwight Gooden, Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett,and of course The Rocket. The most famous rookie card of the 1980's currently is this one-- the Rocket's first true rookie:

1985

The season that could have ended it all.

Roger underwent shoulder surgery to correct damages caused by poor mechanics, and he had a body that was starting to show the results of poor physical conditioning. Taking a cue from his Texas Hero-- Nolan Ryan-- Clemens vowed to come back in 1986 stronger than ever. Few paid any attention-- the Celtics were beginning to show the Dynasty they were to have in the 1980's, and the Patriots would go 11-5 and journey to the Super Bowl only to lose to the Chicago Bears.

Roger Pitched in just 15 games prior to his surgery. Click here 1985 Stats to see his game by game breakdown.

QUIZ TIME: You now know he underwent surgery. Many already knew this-- so if you did know it-- who performed the surgery? Answer is below his 1985 Donruss Pic

'BELOW IS A PICTURAL 1985 HISTORY:'

1985 Donruss / Fleer/;eaf/ Topps Rookie Cards

NOTE: 1985 FLEER "ROOKIE" CARD his 1984 Fleer Update was considered an 'Extended Rookie" Issue that had to be denoted specially. Back then-- we considered ONLY regularly issued cards to be "true"" rookie items. Hence-- his 1985 Regular season issues are all considered his "true" rookies.

1985 TOPPS TIFFANY

Limited to just 5000 copies, this amazing card is a must for any true Clemens collector. It was considered a "short issue" long before Donruss began their 1 of 1 craze.

1985 FLEER STICKER-- Tough to find these well centered-- Fleer was never known for its 'quality control".

'1985 LEAF/DONRUSS-- sold mainly to our Canadian neighbors, this often overlooked card is a nice addition to any Clemens Superfan.

Quiz Answer: After a visit to the hospital for pain in his aching shoulder, it was discovered that a shoulder tendon and nerve were rubbing together, resulting in a flap tear . To perform this delicate surgery, the Red Sox called on a surgeon who was pioneering sports medicine surgery for high level athletes-- Dr James Andrews Few people realize that as recently as 1977 NO SURGERY existed that could have corrected his tear. But by 1984 the athroscopic tools had been developed that enabled them to fix his shoulder issue.

NEXT: THE MAGIC YEAR OF 1986

Okay-- imagine this. You are NOW known for having one of the greatast accomplishments in your sport-- but on the night you performed-- you were not even considered anyone to watch. Close your eyes-- now think about that for a second-- and realize that on April 29, 1986, when Roger Clemens struck out a Major League Record 20 professional batters=== the CELTICS were the best game in town as they were playing the Hawks in the playoff with Larry Bird and gang in the PRIME of their lives. It gets worse. Boston has two major newspapers-- the Boston Globe, a conservative newspaper well know for being the best in town, and the Boston Herald-- the paper you bought if you were a sports nut or enjoyed the theater. The Globe had ONE REPORTER AT THE GAME--- ONE And the only photographer from the Globe left to go to an accident scene. The Boston Herald wasnt any better-- most of its reporters were covering the Celtics. Roger came into the game undefeated at 3-0 and seemed to be coming along quite nicely from his August shoulder surgery. Then it happened-- immortality. No use in going over it-- here is a few sites where you can read one of the twentieth century's greatest feats.Rogers 20 K Game Discussed by Dan Shaunessy of the Boston Globe Or MLB's own video of the game

or Rogers Night to remember

You may need to sign up to see the 20k game stuff of Dan Shaunessey-- its FREE and worth it its an awesome bit with videos . For those that missed the game-- there were several hundred million in the US-- heres the ACTUAL box score saved by jeffv96masters (saved out of the Boston Globe).

NOT AT THE GAME?? NEITHER WAS THIS PERSON-- GUESS THEY PICKED THE WRONG NIGHT TO BE WATCHING THE CELTICS !!!

The other item from the season of particular interest that nite would have been a marked one of these, done by a person skilled in the art of scorekeeping:

HAHAHHHA-- foooled you !!! That was NOT the scorebook that anyone at that game should have. If your shown that and the person tells you that the above scorebook was what they used----- back away-----slowly, slowly,... then run !!!

This was the scorebook from that night !!!

Soon there after he was the subject of course of one of the most celebrated of his covers on SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Roger reeled off a string of victories, starting the season a monstrous 14-0. His piching was not even overpowering-- but his control was spot on. His arm, still tender, required him to begin thinking of using every tool in his arsenal-- and is the point in his career I believe that made him the player he became. He need to use psychology--- a hard fastball below the chin would rattle the best hitters, an up and in would break bats, a low ball would make a hitter dance and ruin their timing. Or, a high, unhittable hard one shoulder height . Roger use inside pitches :evil: like he owned that part of the plate-- and then would throw an outside pitch covering the black-- making hitters want to commit hari-kari.

QUIZ TIME: A future teammate was struck out 3 times during Rogers 20k game-- who was he and why was that teammate significant to roger? Answer at the end of this year.

Of course, people were quick to take advantage of Rogers popularity. This item below is just one example of a slew of items that appeared-- all unauthorized, all meant to make someone rich at the expense of sucker buyers

This is UNAUTHORIZED-- and its a shame the sellers never were prosecuted:

Roger was easily elected to the starting lineup for the 1986 ALL-Star gaem-- and of course where else would it be held? You got it-- the Houston Astrodome !!! The American League won the game 3-2. Roger and another you rising star of the game-- Doc Gooden: -- were the starting pitchers. The MVP was Roger-- and it wasnt even a contest.

A telling fact of Rogers 1986 Dominance can be summed up below in a synopsis of the 1986 Season-- look at the Red Sox Pitching Leaders. Its a case study in a pitcher who had a dominating year (Clemens), a pitcher who was good but had his career year ( Hurst), and a pitcher who had unbridled potential and unbridled blowups ( Oil Can Boyd). The yearly figures also show clearly that Schiraldi was overused and not the right person ever to assume the closer role-- he was more of a middle of the game hold pitcher-- just wasnt mean enough I believe !!

ERA	Clemens	2.48
Wins	Clemens	24
Won-Loss %	Clemens	.857
BB + H per IP (WHIP)	Clemens	.969
Hits Allowed/9IP	Clemens	6.34
Bases on Balls/9IP	Boyd	1.89
Strikeouts/9IP	Hurst	8.62
Games	Stanley	66
Saves	Stanley	16
Innings	Clemens	254
Strikeouts	Clemens	238
Games Started	Clemens	33
Comp. Games	Hurst	11
Shutouts	Hurst	4
Home Runs Allow.	Boyd	32
Bases On Balls Allow.	Clemens	67
Hits Allowed	Boyd	222
SO to Walk	Clemens	3.55
Losses	Nipper	12
Earned Runs Allow.	Nipper	95
Wild Pitches	Nipper & Schiraldi	5
Hit Batsmen	Clemens	4
Batters Faced	Clemens	997
Games Finished	Stanley	50
Adjusted ERA+	Clemens	1.69

This also began the period of "Non-Approved", Illegal Issues out out by numerous bum dealers and sellers who paid no attention to the laws of the country. Of course back then who was to know Trademark Infringement would actually become enforced.

Here is a well known ILLEGAL Issue

1986 BCD Business Card

Of course-- many followed the rules-- and those that did even made deals with sellers from the Federal Government-- hence-- the attached SPORTS CACHET . This item was and still is sold at USPS regularly-- although you will not get the 1986 postmark !!

ANSWER TO TEAMMATE QUIZ QUESTION ABOVE: The answer is Spike Owen-- and the signifigance is he was Rogers college teamate at UTEX that won the College World Series together and would eventually become his teammate

Got those right-- well--- here's another quiz tester

QUIZ TIME:

 We all have parents-- but what was Roger missing in his life after age 9??

Answer is below.

Roger continued to dominate in 1986. His most telling stats are not really found by most fans-- such as the stat where he had the best record in the majors of following a Red Sox loss with a win (18 times). This stat may not mean anything to the casual observer-- but think of being on a team where you KNOW your never going to have a long, long losing streak.

The 1986 year saw the beginning card wise of the very first FLEER special issued sets. I always thought myself that FLEER put more thought into their 'special" issued sets than they did their regular issue--- as if teh supermarket stores were more important than the hobby mainstream. Its not that I did not care myself about it--- to be honest personally I myself enjoy the special hobby food issues and the like. But casual fans and hardcore collectors always seem to want the main cards to be the best. Guess to each their own.

Roger stayed fairly consistent throught 1986. His month by month record shows fairly well his season was one consistent statistical show of excellence.

MONTH	WINS	LOSSES	ERA
APRIL	4	0	1.69
MAY	4	0	2.75
JUNE	6	0	2.21
JULY	3	3	2.58
AUGUST	3	1	2.61
SEPTEMBER	4	0	2.49
OCTOBER	0	0	2.52
SEASON	24	4	2.48

QUIZ ANSWER: HIS FATHER FIGURE

BELOW IS SOME PICS OF HIS 1986 CARDS-- with commentary from a collecting perspective of different aspects of the hobbyist outlook-- these are just the authors own thoughts and do not necessarily apply to everyone ( we all collect for different reasons and we all think differently):

His 1986 regular Donruss issue is first, and the other five cards are from the 1986 Donruss Highlights set. As you can see--Donruss Highlights set put ROGER into FIVE different cards-- thats how dominating he was in 1986. He wasn't the Cy Young Winner and MVP for nothing !!

The first item is an illegally used photo printed on an ad found for SCD, a local Connecticut based business. I say "illegal" becuase as usual they did not seek MLB approval to do so they just went an printed the photo without consulting people who mattered. The other item is his 1986 Fleer Baseballs Best Sluggers & Pitchers card.

As someone who saw the growing hobby as another place for thieves & cheats to proliferate, I always disliked those who created issues just to rip people off and make money. I always felt if people did it correcly people could make tons more money and be legally okay. But then again-- alot of the "illegal" issues were from the same types of people who created Pete Rose "Rookie" issues-- the sole basis being pure greed and self-profit without one ounce of remorse if caught. So when jailed I felt not one ounce of remorse myself putting them there.

(above in order)1986 FLEER / 1986 FLEER MINI / 1986 MLB LEADERS MINI

(above in order)1986 OPEECHEE / 1986 TOPPS REGULAR ISSUE / 1986 TOPPS AS INSERT commonly referred to in the trade as the "Glossy 22" set

(above)1986 TOPPS TIFFANY--- the 1986 Tiffany series is best remembered for Barry Bonds Extended Rookie-- but this Roger Clemens card is limited to just 5000 and is one of the very toughest to find well centered.

Roger also started to appear in alot of promotional panel items, posters-- you name it. Instant celebrity status for anyone who has just had the overwhelming career year he had. Below you will find hos O PEE CHEE 1986 PANEL produced by our Candian bretheren to the north.

1987

Now before we dive into 1987--- lets look at three of the earliest instances of ILLEGAL or PROMOTIONAL Roger Clemens Items. By ILLEGAL its meant when people do not go thru proper channels to create a card-- they just do it and produce it without recourse. By PROMOTIONAL its meant that someone got approvals to use the athletes image and produced an item to market their business-- a "promotion" of the companys products.

The very first promotional Roger Clemens Item occured in his rookie season and was put out by a company called TS O'Connell & Son. The set, titled OCONNELL & SONS INK, was promoted first at the 1984 National. I was there and it was something that intrigued me as I am a big fan of miscellaneous issues. Below is Roger's picture from that set. Although widely available, the item doesnt seem to come up on ebay that often-- who knows why?? Its a great card to own and one of Rogers nost sought after items by the advanced collectors.

The next item I knew about or saw was put out by a company called AMER GROUP. You may know them for the tennis, racquet, and golf balls they produce under the WILSON brand. This item was from his Pawtucket final season in 1984, was limited to just 10,000 total produced, and marketed with their racquets and balls. Buy it if you see it == its a great pickup.

"The next item is one that will boil the blood of many a baseball purist." It began a LONG, LONG string of issues that ignited an age old debate on who had the right to produced baseball cards for John Q Public. I myself do not want to take sides-- to be honest if it has my player on it - I could care less who produced the card I want it. Let the reader decide how they feel.

This issue is the earliest known example, and its production led to any and all future "illegal" items to be named after its progenator-- ROB BRODER, a professional photographer. Initially produced just to market his business, it was in such high demand it created a long, long line of illegally produced items. I am amazed someone would be so bold as to print their address on a card-- sorta like saying "come here" and you'll find me when you need to arrest me !!!

This in turn led to string of other items produced-- baseball card magazines, sporting goods stores, supermarkets-- everyone jumped in. After all-- one way to male a buck is to have people want the item-- and have to buy your product to get it !! SCD, BBCM , Cartwrights, etc, etc-- if there was a business in the late 80's or early 90's who thought Roger's face would help out they used his image.

As we go on in years I will introduce more and more of the "misc/special/illegal" issues just so people can view them. Many are tough to locate as are many of Rogers cards.