Roger Clemens, former Yankees pitcher, evaluates his pitching abilities during the New York's 'Old Timers' Day' event.
Roger Clemens Throws Batting Practice at Yankee Stadium's Old Timers' Day
The New York Yankees hosted their 77th annual Old Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, and it was a day filled with nostalgia and baseball tradition. One of the highlights of the event was the appearance of former Yankees pitcher, Roger Clemens.
Clemens, who is 63 years old, threw batting practice to his fellow teammates Paul O'Neill and Clay Bellinger. The sight of Clemens on the mound, looking loose and in control, prompted lighthearted jokes about him joining the current bullpen.
The 2000 World Series championship team, which Clemens was a part of, was the focus of this year's Old Timers' Day event. This team, often considered one of the greatest in MLB history, defeated the New York Mets in the Subway Series to secure a third straight championship and cap off a historic three-peat.
Clemens, a two-time World Series champion with the Yankees, pitched for the team from 1999-2003 and again in 2007. He posted a 354-184 career record with 4,672 strikeouts while playing for the Yankees.
In addition to his on-field achievements, Clemens is actively involved in philanthropy. He founded the Roger Clemens Foundation in 1992 with his wife Debbie, which supports underprivileged, at-risk, and special needs children. The foundation raises funds for charities such as Texas Children's Hospital and stays involved with the Jimmy V. Foundation. Clemens also participates in youth baseball clinics that combine pitching instruction with lessons on giving back, emphasizing his current focus on making a positive impact off the field.
Despite a controversial Hall of Fame candidacy, Clemens is considered one of baseball's all-time greats. Old Timers' Day has been an annual tradition for the Yankees since 1947, and it was a fitting occasion for Clemens to return to Yankee Stadium and share in the celebration of the 2000 World Series championship team.
The current New York Yankees entered Saturday's game with a 61-55 record, placing them third in the AL East and 6.5 games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays. The team's pitching staff has a team ERA of 3.85, though recent bullpen struggles have raised concerns.
Max Goodman, from NJ Advance Media, posted a clip to the Yankees' official X page showing Clemens throwing batting practice to Paul O'Neill. In the clip, Clemens added a humorous nod to Toby Keith's song "As Good as I Once Was."
Clemens' appearance at Old Timers' Day was a reminder of the glory days of Yankees baseball and a testament to his lasting impact on the game. Despite his past controversies, his philanthropic efforts remain a significant part of his public life today.
When reminiscing about the 2000 World Series championship team, which included Roger Clemens, the focus of this year's Old Timers' Day event at Yankee Stadium, it's evident that Clemens' impact on the team extended beyond his successful baseball career. As the two-time World Series champion with the Yankees pitched batting practice to his fellow teammates Paul O'Neill and Clay Bellinger, it sparked a reminder of his baseball prowess and fondness for the game, while also highlighting his current philanthropic efforts, especially his Roger Clemens Foundation, which supports underprivileged and special needs children.
