Roger Clemens Should Go for 400 Wins

As soon as Roger Clemens finally retires from baseball the debate will begin. Is Clemens the best pitcher in major league history? His legacy and rightful place in that argument have already been cemented, but Clemens has the ability to end the discussion in the next three to four years if he so chooses. Clemens ended the 2005 season with 341 wins. Remember when his quest for 300 wins seemed like baseball history because of the rarity of the feat in the modern era? Well, Clemens is nearly halfway to 400. A lot of “ifs” have to go right for Clemens to get there, but it’s not an impossible feat. If he can get there it will be the greatest achievement of any pitcher in baseball history. 

It’s true he’s 43. It’s true that he’s been on the verge of retirement for three years already. But if Clemens is anything, he’s a competitor. Having this milestone within his reach could give Clemens added incentive to stick around. 300 wins became his mission before he retired. He gave us the sense that once he reached that goal that all of his baseball achievements would be reached and he could walk away. Clemens changed his mind and decided to play for Houston where he could stay close to home. In the two years since he’s won a Cy Young and reached the World Series. He’s also slipped under the radar to approach a once unthinkable milestone. 

Clemens was not offered arbitration by the Houston Astros in the off-season and has focused his attention on the World Baseball Classic. He can’t re-sign with the Astros until May and has gotten some interest from his former clubs, New York and Boston. He’s hinting that he will retire, but he clearly knows that he’s got some time to make up his mind.