Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox gave Roger Clemens ball heads to fans that same day.
Red Sox legend Roger Clemens returned to Fenway Park on Friday night. Barry Chen/Global Staff
Legendary Boston Red Sox outfielder Roger Clemens found himself in a familiar place on Friday night.
The 1986 American League MVP threw the first pitch from the Fenway Park pitcher’s mound before Boston’s game against the Minnesota Twins. Clemens wore a custom No. 21 “Rocket Man” Red Sox City Connect jersey.
Instead of throwing the baseball to a Red Sox player or former teammate, Clemens’ batterymate was someone more special: his son and Twins center fielder Cody Clemens.
The elder Clemens, 63, did not throw a perfect pitch, but he said he was happy not to injure himself.
“A little two-strand tailor. It didn’t slip or tear anything,” Clemens said after the accident.via Boston GlobeTim Healy). “Home plate seems to get further and further away every year.”
Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards during his 24-year MLB career. He won three wins during his 13 seasons with the Red Sox (1986, 87, and 91).
Clemens also struck out 20 batters in one game twice: once on April 29, 1986, and again on September 18, 1996, in his final season with the Red Sox. Boston waived Clemens Bubbleheads to celebrate the feat on Friday with the Red Sox Hall of Fame in attendance.
Clemens signed autographs for fans outside Fenway before heading to the stadium.
Cody, 30, is playing his second season with the Twins. He was drafted and previously played for the Detroit Tigers as well as the Philadelphia Phillies. He primarily plays first base, but has plenty of experience on and off the field since entering the league in 2022.
In his first game at Fenway last May, the younger Clemens hit a home run to help the Twins win against his father.
Roger was proud of his son when asked about this.
“It was amazing,” Roger said. “Just think about — I put myself in his shoes — even though he’s my kid, he’s here at Fenway, he obviously wants to do well, and hitting a home run would be the ultimate thing to do and he goes up there in the clutch and does it. It’s just a great moment and I’m glad we’re here.”
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