Upon Further Review: ‘Rocket’ rejoins the work force
Work, work, work.
This is something most of us start doing at an early age. We work hard all of our lives and dream of the day when we can retire and enjoy life in our old age. If you’re lucky enough, you make your money early and retire in your 50’s.
In recent years bad investments, cuts in social security and the surge in the cost of living have forced many elderly people to rejoin the work force in America.
Folks have been forced to give up their dreams of retirement with many Americans going back to work in their 70’s and even 80’s.
Monday, Roger Clemens did what many Americans have to do each day, un-retire.
Clemens is 41 years old and has six Cy Young awards to his credit. He has flirted with retirement for several years and finally retired last fall with the New York Yankees.
Clemens signed a one-year contract for $5 million with the Houston Astros. The question is: Why?
Houston is his hometown and ex-teammate — or should I say, new teammate — Andy Pettite might have persuaded Clemens to pitch one more year.
Clemens may have looked at his social security benefits and realized he needed to work a few more years to reap the full benefits of social security.
Who knows, but one thing is for sure. He had a pretty good season last year and the arm can still throw hard enough to bean a batter every now and then. So it’s safe to say he still has it.
Clemens has 4,099 strikeouts and ranks third in career strikeouts. Could Clemens be the first pitcher in his 40’s to win a World Series game? The Astros are betting on it. Clemens led the Texas Longhorns to a College World Series and Houston fans are hoping Clemens’ return to Texas will recharge baseball for Houston.
Will Clemens become the Michael Jordan of baseball? I don’t think so. Yes, neither one had any thing to prove and Jordan’s return wasn’t a pretty one. Pitching is a little different from running up and down the court against players 10 years younger.
No, Clemens has nothing to prove. But he can still be very effective on the mound. The $5 million may have had some influence on his decision. But having a chance to go back home and close out his baseball career had to be the deciding factor.
Now I have never been a big fan of Clemens but his hard-nosed, giving everything he’s got attitude will sure help inspire the Astros. Houston has never been to a World Series but has improved its odds as it goes into spring training with a starting rotation that will include Clemens, Pettitte, Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller.
Now that Clemens is in the National League, of course, he will have to swing a bat. Who knows? He may have a few more years as a hitter.
Just remember if you’re retired, it may be worth your while to check out the “help wanted” ads.
People are doing pretty good rejoining the work force, there maybe a $5 million job just waiting for you.