The return of Roger Clemens to the Astros has Major League Baseball fans, particularly those in Houston, feeling like the season has just started.  Last week, Clemens signed a deal that is worth $22 million pro-rated for the rest of the season.  This is truly a day of joy for everyone involved with baseball.

The Rocket’s return comes months after he pitched for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.  He helped the United States to a couple of wins before they fell, disappointingly, in the quarterfinals.  Some around the league suspected that his career might be over.  After all he is in his forties.  I, however, believed we would see him back in uniform for the Astros – but not until it was much closer to the All-Star break.

Roger Clemens passed up offers from teams of which I think will go much farther in the post-season than the Astros will.  That is assuming they make the playoffs this year, which still is a shaky proposition.  Clemens’ arm will show just how far they will go. 

He passed up offers from the other Texas team, the Rangers, and also two of the teams from out East: the Yankees (surprise) and the Red Sox.  The Astros were chosen for a couple of reasons, including where he currently lives and that he has played there the last two seasons.  I think this is a good move not only for Clemens but also for the Astros organization.

Everyone I have talked to since the announcement thinks his contract is way beefed up.  $22 million?  Sure, it is pro-rated so he will lose a couple of dollars, but man the Astros are treating him like his is the president.  This contract is a great deal for him.

I believe Roger Clemens is the best pitcher that has ever pitched in a Major League game.  I just can’t get over the fact that he is over forty and he is still pitching like he is in his twenties.  I don’t think he can possibly pitch well enough to earn the money he will make the rest of the year, but I am sure he will give it his all to try and get his team into the playoffs and win a World Series. 

And believe me:  it pains me to say this, because I have been waiting along time for the Cincinnati Reds, a division rival, to get out of their slump and make some noise in October.  Yet here I am hoping Clemens can play at his top level this season.

The return of Roger Clemens to the majors is just weeks away.  The Astros plan to start him first in A-ball, before moving him up Double A, and then – in his penultimate start – to Triple A.  His season debut will come on June 22 – fitting, given his preferred choice of uniform number and salary.  Even though Astros management has set the schedule for him, I think that is too short of time back a 43-year old pitcher – even if he is Roger Clemens.  But only time will tell.

When the Rocket starts pitching for the Astros later this month, it is going to be a really good thing or really bad thing.  Like I said earlier, I think it is too quick to bring him up.  He will probably lose two straight games before finding his rhythm.  Don’t expect him to come right out and blow people away because he may never be able to do that again.

And I think if he doesn’t blow people away he will continue to wear down and we won’t see him in baseball past this year.  So look for Roger to go 8-6 this season with about a 4.00 earned run average.  That will probably be good enough for the ‘Stros to get in via the wildcard but – in the end – Clemens in no way will earn the money he has been given.

Just 16-years old, Andrew Uxley has a lot to say.  Disagree with his takes?  Email him at andrew.uxley@atomicsportsmedia.com.