Roger Clemens Biography

Fast Facts

• Was the first pitcher to ever strike out 20 batters in a game twice
• Attended San Jacinto Junior Community College for a year, then spent two seasons at the University of Texas
• Devised his own regimen of weightlifting, calisthenics and running while he was growing up and stuck to it
• The New York Mets drafted him in 1981, but he didn't accept their contract offer and waited until the Boston Red Sox drafted in in the first round of the 1983 MLB Draft
• Though he was the number two pitcher at Spring Woods High School, he went undrafted when he graduated in 1980
• Quote: "I had certain rules to follow when I was young, and discipline just became a habit․ I always wanted to be strong - not just mentally, but physically․"
• Quote: "I played the game because I loved to play it․"
• Quote: "[on his Hall of Fame candidacy] "The Hall of Fame is great․ I've got a lot of great buddies there․ The guys that are there paved the way for me to do what I love to do and make a lot of money doing it, take care of my family․""
• Came out of retirement in 2004 to pitch for the Houston Astros, his hometown team, and led the club to its first-ever appearance in the World Series
• Known for playing for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball