A Sporting View: Rocket ride

Four weeks ago Bob Sheppard made one of the biggest announcements of his storied 4,500 game career behind the public-address microphone at the big ball orchard in the Bronx.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the legendary “voice of God” intoned. “Please turn your attention to the owner’s box behind home plate.”

Even though most of the packed Yankee Stadium crowd couldn’t see the box, the face that lit onto the screen was one of the biggest surprises this circus of a ball club had had in several weeks. On the screen was Roger Clemens. He was to be the team’s savior.

“Well, they came and got me out of Texas, and I can tell you it’s a privilege to be back,” Clemens said, as the sell-out crowd went bonkers. “I’ll be talkin’ to ya’ll soon.”

At the time, the Yankees were six games out of first, behind the dreaded Red Sox, who had just put a beat down on the Bombers in a recent home-and-away series. Boston was in the running for Clemens’ services, as were the Houston Astros, but in the end it was George Steinbrenner’s pro-rated $28 million contract that did the job.

It was a classic Steinbrenner-era moment. The day before the announcement, the Yankees were hardly mentioned in sports pages across America. That day, Cinco de Mayo, belonged to the Kentucky Derby (which welcomed the Queen of England), and Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather. The lack of attention must have been eating him up, but in further proof that Steinbrenner has mellowed in old age, he waited until the next day to steal back the spotlight.

Just as interesting to note was the Boss’ willingness to bend over backward for Clemens. Steinbrenner was so eager to land the Rocket, he of seven Cy Young awards, two World Series rings, 348 wins and a .662 lifetime winning percentage, that he was willing to loosen his rules. Steinbrenner, who won’t allow long hair or beards on his players, is allowing Clemens to skip road trips when he isn’t scheduled to pitch. This unheard of arrangement — first agreed to by the Houston Astros — shows just how strong Steinbrenner’s desire is to beat the Red Sox, but it has brought into question Clemens’ desire as a ballplayer.

“I can’t imagine doing that,” future Hall-of-Famer Greg Maddux told the press when asked about Clemens’ deal. “I like the game. I like the atmosphere. I appreciate what it has to offer. I want to play the whole year.”

Former Yankee hurler David Wells, another one of the elder statesmen of the league expressed shock as well.

“That’s not the Yankee way,” Wells said, incredulously. “The Yankees have changed.”