| has posted odds offering bettors the chance to | | | | Johnson keeps looking his age, can George |
| predict which Major League Baseball team Roger | | | | Steinbrenner make Roger Clemens an offer he can't |
| Clemens will return to. Clemens is clearly enjoying the | | | | refuse? Could happen, but George will never let |
| attention he is garnering from his four suitors. Let's | | | | Clemens skip road trips in fear that all of his stable of |
| take a look at how Clemens has played this situation | | | | superstars will demand the same special treatment. |
| thus far, and how it will play out at the end. | | | | At 1:2, this is not a good bet. |
| THE EASY MARK: | | | | FINISH WHERE HE STARTED |
| Roger Clemens enjoyed opening day in Arlington | | | | Imagine the nostalgic feeling of coming back where |
| Stadium, sitting next to owner Tom Hicks. When | | | | you began your career, and leading that team to a |
| Clemens was introduced and shown on the | | | | World Series. What a perfect symmetry to a career. |
| scoreboard, the fans went crazy. Do the Rangers, | | | | Almost like a movie script. Only the impact of leading |
| who have gone all these years searching for pitching, | | | | the Red Sox to a World Series is not nearly what it |
| really have a shot at Roger Clemens? Well, the | | | | was two years ago. The Red Sox already have had |
| Rangers are an improved team, with Kevin Millwood | | | | a hero who started in their organization come back |
| leading some young up-and-coming pitchers. And it | | | | and lead them to the Promised Land. And that hero |
| would do wonders for Clemens' legend to ride into | | | | wore a bloody Red Sock. How can Clemens possibly |
| Arlington on his horse and lead them to their first | | | | top that? Besides, if the Red Sox really get close, Mr. |
| World Series. Is it going to happen? No. Why would | | | | Steinbrenner may very well make him an offer he |
| Clemens pitch in a hitter's park for a team which, | | | | can't refuse. At 1:1, I just can't see this as a good |
| despite their improvements, is not a serious World | | | | bet. |
| Series contender? More likely, Roger was paying | | | | FINISH WHAT HE STARTED |
| attention when Tom Hicks bid against himself to sign | | | | The first year, Clemens led the Astros to the |
| Alex Rodriguez to his franchise-crippling $250 million | | | | playoffs. His second year, he helped them to their |
| dollar contract. This is exactly the type of guy you | | | | first World Series. Why not finish what he started? |
| want to draw into the bidding. has the odds on | | | | The Astros are off to a great start. Besides, the |
| Clemens going to the Rangers at 6-1. Trust me, it's | | | | Mets, Cardinals and, possibly the Phillies, who can you |
| far longer than that. | | | | remotely predict can stop them from at least getting |
| AN OFFER HE CAN'T REFUSE: | | | | there? His best friend Andy Pettitte has mentioned |
| Roger Clemens still keeps in touch with buddies | | | | the possibility of retirement after this year (Don't bet |
| Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada, and there were | | | | on that, though). Houston offers him a chance to |
| reports that Jeter had his ear during the World | | | | stay close to home and it lets him skip those pesky |
| Baseball Classic. And if Clemens is looking for a sure | | | | road trips. They have already made him a generous |
| bet to get to the playoffs, it's been a while since the | | | | contract offer. The odds are 2:1. |
| Yanks sat out October. Can Clemens return to the | | | | After all that analysis, it must come down to this: If |
| Yankees? Probably not. Roger Clemens already got a | | | | you could work closer to home, travel less, and not |
| Hummer as a retirement gift, and you have to figure, | | | | have to work as hard, for similar money, what would |
| after feasting on weaker National League number | | | | you do? Come on, this may be Roger Clemens, but it |
| eight hitters, and pitchers' feeble attempts to catch | | | | is not rocket science. Bet the 2:1 on him returning to |
| up to his fastball, he might not be dying to face more | | | | the Astros. It may be the best bet available on the |
| formidable American League lineups. If Randy | | | | entire website. |