Red Sox Nation has been loving the controversy caused by the new Joe Torre book that rips many of his formers players, especially A-Fraud. Schadenfreude indeed.
Here’s the best story yet from the book, and it involves the one and only Roger Clemens. Remember the NY City World Series in 2000 that had the Yankees facing off against the Mets? In one of the games Clemens started, Mike Piazza swung and broke his bat, a big piece of which went towards the pitchers mound. Clemens inexplicibly picked up the hunk of wood and threw it at Piazza. Clemens said he thought it was the ball. At the time, sports pundits said it was just Roger being Roger. Well, thanks to Joe Torre’s book, that bizzare incident now makes perfect sense.
If You Ever Wondered Why Roger Clemens Always Looked So Angry, Tom Verducci Has The Answer
The story comes courtesy of Yankee trainer Steve Donahue who told Verducci about what Roger Clemens did as part of his usual routine to get ready for facing the Mets in Game 2 of the 2000 World Series. Donahue said Clemens’ usual pregame preparation included taking a whirlpool bath at the hottest temperature possible.
“He’d come out looking like a lobster,†Donahue said.
But here’s the money quote:
Then Donahue would rub the hottest possible liniment on his testicles.
“He’d start snorting like a bull,†the trainer said. “That’s when he was ready to pitch.â€
Man, talk about way too much information. That must be why Roger was such a crotchety bastard on the mound. Well, that and the steroids.