Would You Invite Roger Clemens?
By Editorial Staff
On April 20, 2012, the Boston red Sox is going to throw a 100th Birthday bash on a grand scale for their beloved home, Fenway park. Many of the living former Red Sox will be invited to this shindig.
It is easy to guess that such players as Pedro, Schilling, Millar, Yaz, Fisk and Johnny Pesky are shoo ins to receive their invitations. Which raises the question, who won’t be invited? How can you ignore anyone who played on the 2004 Championship? But, that said, Will Manny get an invite? Highly doubtful, but even if they did, would he attend or even realize the significance of the 100th anniversary? Then again, how can you exclude the World Series MVP that broke an 86 yr old curse?
If there was ever a name that could make the back of your hair stand up when mentioned, it is the villainous Roger Clemens. As much as we love to hate Roger Dodger, was he not one of the greatest pitchers in Red Sox history? I thought it was disrespectful and classless when the New York Yankees didn’t invite Joe Torre to their Yankee stadium celebration. Wouldn’t the Sox ownership look just as classless if they don’t invite Clemens?
As Boston fans, don’t we hate everyone who leaves our teams for so called greener pastures? Just look at the receptions we have given to players like Wade Boggs and Johnny Damon when they came to town wearing Yankee pin stripes.
Even still, can you imagine the buzz and amazement if we saw number 21 trot to the mound during the festivities? The mood in the Fenway will already be festive and in awe of the ceremony. Do you really think Roger will get the bronx cheer?
Will this ownership team show some courage and backbone and invite one of the greatest pitchers in Red Sox history or will they be spineless and cowards like John Henry was when it took him five months to return Terry Francona’s phone call?
Love him or hate him, if you’re going to celebrate the history of Fenway Park, then you need to invite everyone who played major part in the making of its history. Clemens has made history in that ball park and deserves to be there on April 20th. How fitting would it be to be playing the Yankees with Clemens wearing his Red Sox Jersey? You can’t even throw the steroids cloud over the situation anymore. If Mark McGwire can celebrate on the field as hitting coach when the St Louis Cardinals won the World Championship, then Roger Clemens should be allowed to stand on the mound for a few brief minutes at Fenway Park for its biggest birthday.
Agree or disagree?
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