Roger

Clemens

Pretty stunning. Needing to be included on 12 to make the Hall of Fame, Kent was named on 14 of the 16 ballots. Carlos Delgado, who was one-and-done on the BBWAA ballot, received nine votes, and both Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy were chosen by six Committee members. Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela were listed on fewer than five ballots and thus won’t be eligible to make the 2028 ballot when this committee for post-1980 players is up again. Many suspected that Mattingly was the favorite today, especially given the makeup of the committee as none of the seven players included played beyond the mid-90s. Kent definitely had a better case by the numbers, hitting .290/.356/.500 over 17 big-league seasons. His 377 homers are the most ever from someone whose primary position was second base.

As always, the conversation around this year’s class will be dominated by discussions of Bonds and Clemens, who are both seemingly being kept out due to their past involvement with steroids. Perhaps this year will be different. Any player who gets 75 percent of the vote from a committee of writers, historians, and baseball executives will be selected into the Hall of Fame.

He’s one of 11 new names on the ballot, which also includes (in alphabetical order) A.J. Burnett, Michael Cuddyer, Dan Haren, LaTroy Hawkins, Tim Hudson, Torii Hunter, Aramis Ramírez, Nick Swisher, Shane Victorino and Barry Zito. A number of these players had very good careers, but there’s not a no-doubter in the bunch, which should make for an interesting year in terms of voting. Curt Schilling (who received 70 percent of the vote last year) would appear in strong position to make it in his ninth year on the ballot. Roger Clemens (61.0 percent), Barry Bonds (60.7 percent) and Omar Vizquel (52.6 percent) were the only others to receive votes on at least 50 percent of ballots last year. Players must be on 75 percent of ballots to earn their place in Cooperstown.

Clemens isn’t able to run very well, so he could be a liability on offense and in the field, but believes the team will let him pitch.

He’s also willing to appear in relief this weekend if necessary. If we’re watching the final week of the man’s career, he’s going out fighting like the champ he is.

Clemens threw for 10 minutes Wednesday, and will throw a light bullpen session today to stay loose.

An announcement will come today. Clemens is willing to start on three days’ rest again, but the Astros might be better off taking their chances with Munro and a rested bullpen in Game 6 and Clemens at full strength in Game 7.

It’s likely that Clemens will be brought back for Game 6 and Oswalt will work Game 7 after Brandon Backe starts today.

We’ll believe it when we see it. Clemens won’t make a final decision for weeks. He has indicated that if he does return, it will be with Houston.

Well, of course he can request a trade. Maybe he’ll even be granted one. Clemens can control where he’d go since he has a no-trade clause. The Yankees would be a likely destination since he still wants that Hummer he’s owed, and Boston can’t be completely ruled out. Of course, the Astros won’t have any intention of parting with him if they’re in contention, and after what happened last year, they’re not going to give up on the season easily.