# Roger Clemens Vs. Kerry Wood

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roger-clemens-vs-kerry-wood/179401>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 3, 2003, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roger-clemens-vs-kerry-wood/179401 "2003-06-03T16:50:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![ace22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f05b48/32.png) [@ace22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ace22)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roger-clemens-vs-kerry-wood/179401/41 "2003-06-04T20:00:44Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by RickJay \*  
> \*\*Given that Clemens won two Cy Young Awards with Toronto AFTER signing his big contract with them, and given that his first season there was one of the greatest seasons a pitcher has ever had in the history of the game, I see very little reason to believe that he stops trying after he signs a big contract. He was sure as hell trying in 1997-1998. \*\*

I believe he was referring to the big contract he signed with Boston _before_ leaving for Toronto. And spouting off about the Boston fans.

And I also realize that Jeter is a very good shortstop, but at this point I would place him below Tejada even (not this year’s Tejada, but last year’s, of course :rolleyes: ). I cannot believe that anybody would claim that Jeter is on par with A-Rod, who I still consider to be the best player in baseball (see, we could have a whole nother thread on what I think of Mr. Bonds).

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**Author:** ![Myrr21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Myrr21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrr21)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roger-clemens-vs-kerry-wood/179401/42 "2003-06-05T00:33:12Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> Given that Clemens won two Cy Young Awards with Toronto AFTER signing his big contract with them, and given that his first season there was one of the greatest seasons a pitcher has ever had in the history of the game, I see very little reason to believe that he stops trying after he signs a big contract. He was sure as hell trying in 1997-1998.

Right. But this was _after_ getting a big contract from Boston and then showing up out of shape and pitching thoroughly mediocre games for three or four seasons (does 11-14, 4.6 ERA sound like an ace pitcher? ). _Then_, when the Sox decide that maybe he isn’t worth it (he wasn’t), he gets all huffy, jumps ship for EVEN MORE money, and decideds to “show em all” by actually working for a change.

And I won’t even go into signing with the Yankees, except to say that I will laugh heartily at the big “B” that’s going on his hat in Cooperstown.

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**Author:** ![Myrr21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Myrr21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrr21)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roger-clemens-vs-kerry-wood/179401/43 "2003-06-05T00:35:33Z")

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Also note that even some of his better seasons (statistically) during his decline with the Sox included sudden upswings once Boston was out of contention.

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