Major League Baseball
'Rocket' launches comeback

By Michael A. Lutz
The Associated Press

	BRETT COOMER / GETTY IMAGES Roger Clemens (22) and Andy Pettitte, who both were in the New York Yankees' starting rotation for the last five seasons, will be pitching for the Houston Astros this year. Clemens' retirement from baseball lasted 78 days.
	E-mail this article Print this article Search archive

HOUSTON — Roger Clemens throws quite a curveball, too.

Clemens changed course yesterday, ending his retirement from baseball after 78 days and agreeing to pitch with close friend Andy Pettitte on their hometown Houston Astros.

The 41-year-old Clemens, a six-time Cy Young Award winner, got a one-year deal for $5 million. Instead of finishing in New York Yankees pinstripes, the Rocket splashed down in Spacetown.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't think this team had a great chance of winning," Clemens said.

Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker said, "His charisma, character, credibility is all going to take this franchise to a new level."

Houston finished second in the NL Central last season, one game behind the Chicago Cubs.

Clemens also has a 10-year personal-services contract with the Astros, beginning when he finishes playing.

For more than a year, Clemens insisted 2003 would be his final season.

"Roger Clemens was a great warrior for the Yankees — a teacher and a leader," Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement. "He told the world he was retiring, and we had no choice but to believe him."

Clemens is coming off a season in which he went 17-9 with a 3.91 earned-run average. He is 310-160 over 20 seasons and his 4,099 strikeouts place him third on the all-time list behind Nolan Ryan (5,714) and Steve Carlton (4,136).

Of playing with Pettitte, Clemens said, "We wouldn't even be talking here now if Andy wasn't here. Andy signing down here just changed everything."

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company