Carter Jacobs

February 12, 2013

Sixth Hour

Roger Clemens: The Man Behind the Controversy

What man could have seven Cy Young Awards and still have a tainted image? (Roger
Clemens 1). That man is Roger Clemens, the most controversial sports professional in history.
The man known as the Rocket mystified fans and opponents alike with his amazing talent and
grace. This success would eventually get to his head and led to a spiraling downfall of Roger.
Even though Roger Clemens never had a father figure, Roger excelled in sports and let his
success guide him to a great life. However, his steroid accusations have tainted his good name.

William Roger Clemens was born on August 4th, 1962 in Dayton, Ohio. When he was very
young, his family moved to Texas. (Roger Clemens 1). This fact contradicts the fans belief
that he is a natural-born Texan. The entire family moved, however, this family would not last.
Bess, Rogers mother, packed up and left her dead-beat husband when Roger was just two.
(Roger Clemens Biography 1). With this move, Roger, too young to know his father, would never
know him, and would never attempt to learn who he was. Bess would eventually marry her
second husband, Woody Booher, who stepped in and gave Roger a male role model. However,
Woody would die of a massive heart attack when Roger was eight. (Roger Clemens Biography
1). Roger would have two dads in the first eight years of his life, but neither would give Roger
the guidance that all boys needed.

Clemens found sports early on, and it was love at first sight. Clemens trained very hard, and
showed the drive that a major leaguer would have. (Roger Clemens Biography 1). Roger joined a

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February 12, 2013
Sixth Hour

little league team, and led his team to a league championship. (Pearlman 15). After high school,
Clemens was offered a contract with the Minnesota Twins, but he decided to go to college to
receive his education. (Roger Clemens 1). Roger would eventually join a small college, where
a Coach Graham guided Clemens to fix his pitching style. (Pearlman 35). Clemens eventually
enrolled at the University of Texas, where he continued his education and athletic career. (Roger
Clemens Biography 2). Clemens athletic prowess and ability carried him to some recognition
from major league scouts from all teams.

Clemens would start his career in Boston, where, in his rookie season, he would set the record
for most strikeouts in a game. (Pearlman 99). After multiple seasons, Clemens was perceived by
analysts as out of shape and close to retirement, but Clemens proved his critics wrong, looking
more dominant than ever. (Roger Clemens Biography 2). After his resurrection, Clemens joined
the New York Yankees, where he won the Word Series in 1999 and 2000. (Roger Clemens
Biography 3). While with the Yankees, Roger developed a language, which amused his
teammates and kept the clubhouse morale up. (Q+A: Roger Clemens 1). Over his career,
Roger won seven total Cy Young Awards: six in the American League and one in the National
League. (Roger Clemens 1). Roger was at the top of his game, and dominated hitters in every
league.

After his career ended, Roger was at the center of a major controversy. While still playing,
Roger seemingly denied steroid use and scorned those who did. (Q+A: Roger Clemens 1). The

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February 12, 2013
Sixth Hour

Mitchell Report stated that Clemens had used steroids in 98, 2000, and 01, which Clemens
feverishly denied. (Roger Clemens Biography 3). Even after Clemens is listed in the Mitchell
Report, Clemens sarcastically stated that the league will accuse him of anything. (Pearlman 297).
Later in 2008, Clemens told Congress that he never took steroids in his time with Major League
Baseball. (Roger Clemens 1). However, during his trial, a teammate made a video confession
stating that Roger took drugs. (Roger Clemens Biography 4). However, Rogers trial was still
ruled a mistrial. Clemens now came to the center of the steroid era, and the cherished hero was
now coming under a big microscope.

Roger now was under scrutiny from his fans and analysts, and his appearances in public were
few. On the eve of Yankee Stadiums ceremony, Clemens was not invited due to his impending
trial. (Pearlman 315). Eventually, Rogers mother was diagnosed with emphysema, leaving
Roger to take care of her. (Q+A: Roger Clemens 1). The Houston Astros, his hometown
team, recommended he stay off the team grounds and facilities. (Pearlman 314). In June 2012,
another trail was done, and Clemens was found not guilty, lifting the pressure from his shoulders.
(Roger Clemens 1). After his trial, Clemens made his first television appearance to talk about
his Hall of Fame chances. (Roger Clemens Biography 4). Even with a successful trial, Rogers
public image decreased, and he was forced out from the public eye.

Over his career, Clemens wowed fans all over the world. Up until his Mitchell Report listing,
Clemens was a heralded sports figure. The accusations and trials led to his image becoming

Carter Jacobs
February 12, 2013
Sixth Hour

tarnished and him disappearing from the public eye. Through all of his accusations, Roger still
keeps a level head and tries to gain back his image, one act at a time.