The New York Yankees are hoping to turn their season around, and with Roger Clemens’ presence in the dugout that is a definite possibly.  In his first 2007 major league start, Clemens showed that he can still pitch in the bigs when he went six strong innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, leading the Yankees to a 6-3 victory.  It was the fifth win in a row for the Yankees, who are hoping to gain some ground on the division-leading Red Sox.  "It was just a great day," Clemens said. "The guys fired them runs up there, and it was a great day,” quoted Clemens. 

After twenty-four years in the majors, Clemens has clearly shown why he is recognized as one of the best pitchers of all time, winning seven Cy Young Awards and ranking second on the all-time strikeout leader board next to the famous Nolan Ryan.  Costing roughly twenty-eight million dollars, the Yankees are hoping that their investment can continue to produce at a successful level.  At the age of 44, Clemens still feels that he can make significant contributions to the organization and hopefully lead the Yankees to the World Series.  "Emotions have always been a part of my game," Clemens said. "I'm excited about what I do."  Saturday was the first time that Clemens had pitched in pinstripes since 2003, and he is hoping that his impact in the clubhouse can help make the Yankees a contender in spite of their recent struggles this season. 

Many speculate whether or not Clemens will actually have any influence at all.  In his three minor league starts, his fastball clocked around roughly 91 mph, which is nowhere near his career norms.  This means that if he wants to be effective, he will have to rely on his location and show strong command of his off-speed pitches.  His health is also a concern as well, being 44 years old.  He did miss his first projected start against the Chicago White Sox due to a scar tissue injury in his right groin, and if health does become a concern he is still guaranteed to receive the twenty-eight million that the Yankees committed to him.  If it wanted, the team could have voided his contract prior to his first major league outing, but now that he has actually thrown the only way Clemens would not receive his money would be if he retired.

Either way, with the rocket in full launch the Yankees now have more depth in their struggling rotation, hopefully providing some cushion for the rest of the team. Far behind the Red Sox in the American League East, there is still plenty of work that needs to be done for the team to become a contender.  Only time will tell if the rocket has enough fuel to lead the Yankees to victory.

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