lingzi
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HOUSTON —Astros owner Jim Crane thinks Roger Clemens comeback could continue
in Houston. Mario Manningham Jersey . That would be news
to the 50-year-old right-hander, who doesnt sound too interested in the idea.
Crane said Monday theres a possibility Clemens could pitch this season for the
majors worst team. “We havent heard from Roger, so thats still up in the air,”
he said. The last-place Astros started a weeklong homestand on Monday that
includes three games against the Cubs and four against the Phillies. Their only
remaining home games after this stretch are against the Pirates and the
Cardinals—two teams in post-season contention. Crane said he would not pitch
the seven-time Cy Young Award winner against a contender, which leaves this week
as the only option. But Clemens said Monday night the only way he would pitch
this season was against a team in contention. “I can tell you right now and they
would know too, that if I was going to go do it, I am going to pitch against a
contender, thats who I want to knock out,” Clemens told Houston television
station KRIV. “Why would I want to waste my time running around and getting in
shape. I get over to Minute Maid (Park), Ill crank it up and get it over 90 for
a contender. Well knock them right out of the playoffs. That would be the fun.
Pitching against somebody thats not in contention wouldnt be any fun for me.”
“Its not going to happen.” A message was left seeking comment from Clemens
agent, Randy Hendricks. Crane wouldnt say whether the team will reach out and
try to entice Clemens to return to the majors for the first time since pitching
for the Yankees in 2007. “Were just going to sit tight,” Crane said. “Well wait
and see if he calls us, but we might call him, who knows?” Clemens pitched 3 1-3
scoreless innings in his first start for Sugar Land of the independent Atlantic
league, and didnt allow a run in 4 2-3 innings in his second start Friday. When
asked about pitching for Houston this season, Clemens said Friday he didnt see
it happening because of the time it took him to recover from his first start.
The Astros sent a scout to watch both of his outings. General manager Jeff
Luhnow said he didnt have any new information on the subject. “Right now we have
a six-man rotation and weve lined up that rotation for the rest of the year, so
Im not expecting any changes,” he said. “The words that Ive heard Roger say
suggest that thats not front and centre in his mind. At this point Im not
expecting it.” Clemens earned $160 million and won 354 games in a 24-year career
with the Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays and Astros. His 4,672 strikeouts are
third-most and he was selected for 11 All-Star games. Clemens had two great
seasons with the Astros after he turned 40, going 18-4 with a 2.98 ERA in 2004
to win his record seventh Cy Young Award. He was 13-8 with a career-low 1.87 ERA
in 2005. The Rockets fastball was clocked at as high as 88 mph, and he also
threw curves and splitters in his starts for the Skeeters. But it seems he isnt
sure if his stuff is major league ready at this point. “I dont think I could
make an impact,” Clemens said last week when asked about pitching for the
Astros. “I think it would be fun for a lot of people, but it would take a lot of
work to do and to perform the way I would want to perform. My mind says yes. My
body says no.” Clemens re-emergence with the Skeeters is the first time he has
been in the spotlight since he was acquitted of charges he lied to Congress when
he denied using performance-enhancing drugs. Clemens was accused by former
personal trainer Brian McNamee in the Mitchell Report on drugs in baseball of
using steroids and HGH, allegations Clemens denied before Congress. The Justice
Department began an investigation concerning whether Clemens had lied under
oath, and in 2010 a grand jury indicted him on two counts of perjury, three
counts of making false statements and one count of obstructing Congress. He was
acquitted of all the charges on June 19 after a 10-week trial and had largely
stayed out of the public spotlight until signing with the Skeeters on Aug. 20.
Also Monday, Crane said the Astros are beginning the process of hiring a new
manager to replace the fired Brad Mills. Crane said they have narrowed down
their list to about six candidates and will begin interviews this week. He would
not name any of the candidates, but said interim manager Tony DeFrancesco would
be considered. Kendall Hunter Womens Jersey . “If I didnt
have this on, I might as well go home,” Leyland said. The Tigers improved their
chances of sticking around beyond the regular season when Miguel Cabrera
homered, Omar Infante drove in three runs and Justin Verlander pitched six
scoreless innings to help them beat the Oakland Athletics 6-2 on Wednesday
night. Colin Kaepernick Game Jersey . —Clara
Hughes of Glen Sutton, Que. http://www.fans49ersstore.com/patrick-willis-jersey
.C. —Brad Gushue and Glen Howard both improved to 3-0 on Thursday in the fifth
draw of the Canadian Open of Curling. Patrick Willis Limited Jersey . Minor-league
right-hander Jose De La Torre was sent to Boston, which had acquired Lillibridge
on June 24 as part of the trade that sent corner infielder Kevin Youkilis to the
Chicago White Sox. NaVorro Bowman Super bowl Jersey . The
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback believes he can return this season despite
spraining his right shoulder and suffering what he called a dislocated rib in
Monday nights overtime win against Kansas City. Hes just not sure when hell be
ready.The Washington Capitals have had a glaring need at second-line centre and
addressed it in a trade with the Dallas Stars. Numbers Game looks at the
addition of Mike Ribeiro. Capitals Get: C Mike Ribeiro. Ribeiro, 32, has been a
very productive player, scoring 348 points over the last five seasons, good
enough for 20th overall in the league over that time frame. He scored 63 points
last season, playing 20:07, the second-highest average time on ice of his
career. Ribeiro started the season a little slow, with two goals and 15 points
in his first 24 games, but finished the season particularly strong, scoring 48
points in his last 50 games as he formed a potent scoring line with
Michael Ryder and Loui Eriksson for much of the year. Going into the final
season of his contract, Ribeiro comes at a cap hit of $5-million and addresses
Washingtons most glaring need, for a point-producing second-line centre behind
Nicklas Backstrom. At this point of his career, Ribeiro figures to be more
successful if he doesnt have to face the toughest defensive matchups night after
night, as he tended to with Dallas. Stars Get: C/LW Cody Eakin and a
second-round pick (54th overall). Eakin is a 21-year-old forward who split his
first ppro season between the AHL and NHL. Aldon Smith Jersey. . In Hershey, Eakin had
13 goals and 27 points with a plus-4 rating in 43 games, contributing four goals
and eight points with a plus-2 rating in 30 games with the Capitals. Hes not
expected to be a big scorer, even though he had some productive years in the WHL
(174 points in 126 games his last two seasons), but Eakin is a solid two-way
player who should have a good shot to earn a spot with the Stars next season.
Its worth noting that Eakin finished his junior career on a Kootenay team with
Stars prospect Matt Fraser. The second-round pick, (54th overall) gives Dallas
about a 26% chance of landing an NHL-calibre player. Theres value, but slightly
better than one-in-four isnt necessarily a huge difference. What the Stars get
is younger, cheaper and at least one asset that they know will be around for
years to come. In the short-term, there are offensive needs to be addressed,
because Ribeiro was their third-leading scorer but, given Ribeiros contract
status, it is understandable that Dallas took a long-term view. Scott Cullen can
be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook.
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