One day after his possible final career start, Roger Clemens was in a reflective mood Saturday.
Clemens threw six strong innings in Friday night's 4-1 loss to Atlanta, a defeat that put his Houston Astros in jeopardy of missing post-season play.
Clemens is 7-6 in 19 starts this season. Despite the so-so record, Clemens posted a typically strong 2.30 ERA, giving up only 89 hits in 113 1-3 innings.
Even though the Astros were on the brink of elimination from the playoff race entering Saturday night's game, the 44-year-old Clemens said he has no regrets.
``Again, if this is the last time for me, it was well worth it,'' Clemens said. ``I enjoy going out there and working and trying to make it enjoyable for the fans. Anytime I get the opportunity to tip my hat, I want to.''
That opportunity came Friday night, when a standing ovation from Atlanta fans brought Clemens out of the dugout. Clemens tipped his cap to the fans and acknowledged the applause from Braves third baseman Chipper Jones.
Clemens played with Jones and Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur in the World Baseball Classic last spring.
``Like I told you all way back when, if I didn't participate in the World games I probably wouldn't be here,'' Clemens said. ``So that helped kind of push me toward coming back and playing.''
Clemens won the first game of Houston's nine-game winning streak that ended Friday night. The Astros trailed St. Louis in the NL Central by 8{ games on Sept. 20 and closed the deficit to a half-game.
The Rocket dropped to 348-178 in his career. With seven strikeouts he raised his total to 4,604, second only to Nolan Ryan's 5,714.
``I've got a lot of respect for that man,'' Jones said. ``Having represented our country this spring with him, getting to know what he's like as a competitor and as a person just ups that respect that I already had for him.''
Clemens has won seven Cy Young Awards in a big league career that began in 1984. He seemed to be leaving baseball after the 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons, only to come back.
Houston manager Phil Garner thought of Clemens on Saturday when he talked of the thrill of the playoff race.
``This is why Roger keeps coming back,'' Garner said. ``He's not coming back for any other reason.''
Clemens also seems to relish serving as a role model for other players, including his former World Baseball Classic teammates.
``I kind of look back and I remember the things Ted Williams used to say to me, and he didn't really like talking to pitchers,'' he said. ``So now I've been kind of friendly with (Jones and Francoeur) and I'm out there in crucial situations against them. They're pros, so they know we're going to battle each other. They're giving their best and I'm trying to get them out.''
Added Clemens: ``A lot of fun. ... I got to tell you, I didn't expect to be here. This is like catching lightning in a bottle.''
© The Canadian Press, 2007
