It was nearly 15 years ago when Roger Clemens pitched one of the best games of his career, a one-hitter against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway. Covering that game for the Middlesex News, I remember the buzz in the press box each time the Indians came to bat, especially in the later innings. With one out in the eighth, little-known Dave Clark hit a blooper over second baseman Marty Barrett's head, ending the no-hit bid.
While a lot of pitchers say they don't think about it when they haven't allowed a hit, Clemens was honest. "I don't care who you talk to," he said. "Once you get into the seventh and eighth innings and you've got a no-hitter going, you think about it."
Nearly 15 years later, he still hasn't pitched one. But that hardly matters. His 300-plus wins, 100 of those coming at Fenway, make him a first-round lock for Cooperstown.
Red Sox fans recognized that yesterday when Clemens left with an 8-2 lead in the seventh. It was a standing ovation justly earned.
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