Former major league pitcher Roger Clemens’ career legacy is regularly debated in baseball circles. On one hand, the right-handed Clemens, nicknamed “Rocket” on account of his commanding fastball and untouchable breaking ball, is widely considered one of (if not the) greatest pitchers in the storied history of the game. On the other hand, his place in baseball lore is marred, like many from his era, by allegations of performance-enhancing drugs — none of which, to this day, has ever been substantiated by a failed drug test or admission.
Regardless of the swirling debates around Clemens’ place in baseball history and his looming absence in the Baseball Hall of Fame, “Rocket” is seemingly content with the fruits of his 24-season career, which includes seven Cy Young Awards, over 350 career wins, 4,762 strikeouts, an American League MVP award, a back-to-back triple crown win – wins, strikeouts and ERA – an 11-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion and dozens of other accolades fans may never witness from a single pitcher again.
So when Clemens visited Key West this past weekend to serve as the master of ceremonies at a charity golf tournament, he did much more than simply show his face and go through the motions of the typical celebrity visit. He made stops at the newly renovated Key West baseball and softball fields to sign autographs and chat with local players, kids and parents. He was spotted on stage singing and performing at the Smokin’ Tuna, and when he showed up at the Key West Golf Club, he graciously posed for selfies and chatted with media – including me.
I grew up immersed in an era of baseball cards, player stats and memorabilia. But to this day, Roger Clemens remains one of the most accomplished and recognized figures in all of sports. So when I was given the opportunity to interview him, I had no idea what to expect. Can we talk about the Hall of Fame Snub? Will he be as domineering and to the point as his on-screen personality suggests? All of these things were going through my head leading up to the interview.
But what I found was a man who remains extremely proud of his career and secure in the legitimacy of his feats. Clemens has come to peace with the doubters, trolls and snubs, and has tuned out the debates. Instead, Clemens focuses on the current chapter of his life, which includes his enduring love of family, his appreciation for what the game has afforded him and his charities that support children through the Roger Clemens Foundation.
I was blown away by how gracious and engaged Clemens was with our questions. Regardless of anyone’s opinion of him, this was clearly a man of sincere resolve — proud of his playing days, but more importantly, proud of who he is as a husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Click on the video below for Britt Myers’ full interview with pitching great Roger Clemens.
Roger Clemens visited Key West on Feb. 11 to support Toughest Kids and the David Maus Foundation. For more on Toughest Kids and how to support, including children who have lost a military parent, visit toughestkids.com. And for more on the Roger Clemens Foundation visit rogerclemensfoundation.org.
