Richard Justice

Our number three Dennis and Callahan Steve -- along side you know -- 37000 Red Sox fans chanted. Where is Roger this weekend we thought we'd get an answer to where is Roger not necessarily literally but figuratively and who better to help us -- with that. Then the -- the bubble. Columnist for the Houston chronicle Richard justice the morning Richard how aria. We're on very well a figure of Lee where is Roger Clemens -- a guy who's watched him up close and personally the last three years in Houston.

Don't use it really he has. In a place where he given we've basically he loved it. We'll get him the united Arab -- argument about four years ago crested you know I'm what you're going to miss it he says hey I got plenty going on my in my life. And that I'll be just -- and -- can argue that that's a sure sign that he's going to be one of those guys -- at the uniform off well I just think. Yeah I understand that whatever he does for the rest of life is not going to be as much farthest -- on the -- Harper's united trying to get hitter out.

So so given the Yankees deep hole and Rogers fatigue groin you don't think that Roger has any second thoughts about calling this marriage off --

The holes although I think I think both sides have to be having second thoughts you know beat the Yankees have -- out to get out. They have to at least be considered they're -- they're 12 and accepting that there -- buried they have to at least be looking at that possibility. The problem is he's -- a test at Yankee and we'd given up that's not something I normally do run from it viewpoint the media said. Consistently I want to go to plate the best chance to win now we thought. That was somewhat disingenuous and that he he'd love the Yankees and -- himself that the Yankees in a lot of ways or want people see him that way. So he's been thinking that if it is are going to be fine you know he wanted to be -- I don't on the life right interstate thing is that start going to happen.

Will Richard from where I sit and I an and you probably call -- over some publication it's seems to me that if Roger Clemens wanted -- a comfortable situation it would have been Houston if you truly wanted a chance to win a ring it would have been Boston. And it was just about the money then it was New York is is better oversimplification.

Well I think Indian he could've gotten if you told any of those teams. This is what it take it would take I -- I would think -- he would have he would of some of that money anywhere the most comfortable place your right it used to. I think yeah. In getting to know him. He loved the Yankees and I know he's in the warm feelings for Boston seems comfortable in Houston. But he was there anybody New York five years one -- has done -- the only place he'd ever pitched that. Keep the franchise was bigger than him I think he actually enjoyed it and I think you are pitching in Houston equivalent to -- double -- team represented boring just not taught about. And an Indian that he probably was guided too much poetic agents told him from apartment Austin.

You sets up the run up the top guys try to tell meters he was listening that. He cannot walk away from the game and that's exactly -- try to tell these guys they had mentioned. And that if you agree or disagree. I think he could've got the money Red Sox obviously offered a lot less then what New York opera but. He loved being with and how much so can you explain to these knuckle heads because they for some reason didn't go to New York I'm Nancy how are you. What's -- big reason why Roger went back to New York he missed the game going Hedrick knows.

What you want a reason but I think the bigger reason work. Wear pinstripes he -- territory each and every time he'd be eight I'd be talking to him and he did it mean so from Jeter Bernie Williams right. He state stealing for the Yankees I think you ever and for another straight set took the I thought he must return to the Astros. Even though he's agents indicated otherwise in November because he suddenly become a good guy at bar again to a certain exterior and had to go back NBA he's. They're going to teach you all over again. If you go to Boston -- keep his literary agent in just to stay out of the American league for a think you're ERA stays about a about -- Gain you don't tick everybody off again.

Let's say these guys seem to think that he was you know money driven that Clemens has made a lot of money or.

Money isn't it just didn't think bergkamp and I I admire him on the money. He says always consistently. It's not about the money but the good or great -- the door right so he doesn't play he gains on the money. He -- me there's a certain price for me and you have to pay it in I don't need the money and in the state -- here you are still a lot of players look at this great desire that respect he's very up front about the money.

Richard did the did the -- shoot themselves in the foot in some regard by suggesting that they might not allow him on the family plan again.

They shot themselves in the foot being so casual in the negotiations with -- Andy -- They basically take up and it Jon Garland trade worked at a tournament and they were gloating now we get it other Hendrix brothers to go take idea. That rubbed them all the wrong wiped -- even before that they received indications we don't think you guys are going to do not improve your ballclub. Our guys Clemens and -- are probably going to go to somewhere else.

You know when that we talked to John Smoltz couple weeks ago when the braves were in town and I asked committee spent is 19 years in the American league without the rocking chair inning or two or three it. That he faces in the national league what was the RAB what -- you know win loss record Beattie said. It's a question he doesn't even want to consider as best you can tell for all accomplished in Houston with the you know best ERA and so on and so forth how is how are those skills as 44 turns in a 45. Going to translate pitching in the American league east starting I guess Saturday.

I would think -- be very critical whoever runs but he had a very high pitching duties I've worked very well that actually could you know you'd like you have at least two people you can you can pitch around and eat. Very good at that he he -- but not great anymore. But he can move the ball around any he picks his spots. You know you'll look up in the fifth inning he's going to 89 and then there's one -- but he needs is 93 united four so he's got to that yet. But it is just easier to pick in the national league when when you have that we need to bat out of the bottom of the lineup is just. It is different for a pitcher and he's going to find it you know like your face in the Red Sox what injury it is you don't have one right. In fact that's going to that it's gonna wear out exactly. Nobody told people here what not having run support war but when you have to grind grind through a lineup like Boston's. Or are you know even in it to an extent Detroit it's gonna it's gonna it's gonna be a different deal for.

Richard physically with a potential of maybe as many as 20 or 21 starts. Available to Roger Clemens if you were putting a betting line together in Las Vegas what would you say the over under is on the number of starts he's going to be able to make before he breaks down shut it down or just can't go

1413 you know the reason he -- the shortened season last year was because of the best ERA in the game August 1 of the previous year old. Five but it September. -- his body just broke down and he had no idea maybe I'm only going to be able to go by what is basically scared and he understood instead of confronting you're interested maybe I'm going to be good for left. So so you know need to get over the range jumpers and a couple springs ago we sit you keep writing every spring I've done one of these spring you're going to be right. That's these moments and help each hit he's going to go out the way Nolan Ryan went -- he's going to go out on the -- But then that basic getting close serious you know what the Bill Clinton last board ET yesterday and tomorrow that -- is -- career.

when he chose New York this time around. Didn't he feel that the Yankees were still in the hunt that you know what they got a chance to get a --

All he started to believe me. They know what think you love it there's not many actually like there's Michael Jordan he -- it it on his shoulders right here I come. To say the whole thing even though I'm out there every five that there are not many guys that would put himself at the center of attention the way eat yet he hit it in I. I think that's one of the way. He psych himself up you know put -- forces himself to work harder and do all the stuff I put myself I put -- right on the line here let's go play.

If he had to do it all over again knowing that he is where he is now knowing that the Red Sox -- are so far ahead. Yankees -- so far behind -- is still chosen New York. It's getting -- decision today.

It would be looking for that highrise owner of commonwealth avenue probably if.

That that leads -- that to the obvious question Richard if indeed on the outside chance the Yankees and Clemens decide to not go to the -- together in this deal. At and model that's -- 2% chance or 20% chance what what happens the Roger Clemens.

What what is the -- and what it Gil and Larry it. I don't know who will not put the it's not the Yankees. He would definitely want to pitch but he might have to work on is just it is rationalizations skills which he's pretty good dad. In any help but it would come down to -- what what the Red Sox on.

Tell what he's saying out of that second left the club I don't think idol thing what would pay him 18 million dollars this thing stubborn let -- go to Red Sox. This year at all.

What what difference does that make the.

What makes a big difference -- Can't stand -- not controlled in the old Steinbrenner five years ago ten years -- I'm telling you that -- or fired more than the trainer by now -- fired two managers I have to me gentlemen I agree that -- is in control -- but there's no way in the world Steinberg is going to elect Clement come to Boston if you -- basically what what difference does that make -- argument. Boston Richard.

Well I think hit the tree you know you brought that point we don't actually know what its healthiest thing and we haven't seen or heard from him in months and months. So I don't actually know. Who's running the show their people keep asking -- well I mean yeah in the old days -- would have been a long at all. And -- cities counties there are obviously different people in charge of the Yankees --

George Steinbrenner in the Red Sox front office do not see I'd di di Dracula they wouldn't -- Sheffield --

Well you know that you know that I think that really hit another error in the Red Sox Yankee relationships in that. I think he lady luck your ego would create. Ill will among the fans they -- seniors in an message to other agents that says you know I'm there are going to -- you might be used to hate the deal we head. Is not a deal we had so I would expect they will carry through it might have to give their minds.

Consider the irony if you will of the of the Yankees making sure Sheffield didn't come to Boston and go to Detroit right and now Detroit might -- their -- all of the out of the playoffs -- result Sheffield you know. And the tigers -- Richard changing it changing shoes here just dissect. What do you think the commissioner is thinking as the Barry Bonds although he's in a bit of a slump and is hitting any home runs last week or so as this thing approaches is he really truly considering. Not showing up because when he did little tour here on the east coast. You all the air with every single outlet in said it's something we're talking about we haven't made up her mind as to what we're going to do. What do you think he's going to do what do you think he should do.

Well he's going to be here and it's a baseball moment he -- read it eat -- promoter in the defender of the game. And he was present always all the good the bad you know but he's going to be there but. He's hoping needed to be very every night heatley is that dentists before -- go to -- east praying that a prosecutors -- has but I don't. And I'm sure a lot of people are doing regular -- very close friends with hank Aaron and that he has had any interest in conversations with. For -- Kerry -- with frank Robinson. With that people like that you know and they have certain beyond about Barry and how he's gone about this on the other hand. To turn your back on it would almost -- it may make the embarrassment worse will go ingredient in -- anyway I think I sit and take. Let's hope he does that you should hope he doesn't before you go to Cooperstown and you inducted Tony Gwynn and cal rip yeah. He can remember the -- you like about it and a month after that you're back to playing baseball look at you know when people look at the record books if you look at the single season home run record now. You don't really look at McGwire are in and bonds people still look you know most of merit and was still. Have a certain he can't Shea and it is people are going to know what happened in the -- you know we're not going to have to disseminated all of.

Richard seems to me that that Bud Selig willingness to tell everybody for the better part of two or three days that he hasn't made up his mind about what he's going to do with Barry Bonds. Was probably about the only punishment or stern look bonds was going to get from him that was his way of saying. I don't approve of what's going on and ultimately he will go on I agree with you but it sounds a -- does that sound like that's that's sort of the punishment that he's meted out. That that that I that a lot of I'm undecided where appoint affect you probably has decided he's going.

Yeah he's decided owners wanted to be there but the problem is that this is really hard for him I mean he. You know he's getting he's agreed to terms commission team has grown so much and chat. This whole life is hoping in being we've seen this year is going to keep coming up. This is not the only here they're going to be steroids -- territories last year going to be mixed here it will go on our players all right. Books about it to be more investigations they're beaten derby dice with the wind breakers in bad Michelin over the other players door. -- is really an ugly thing energizes itself and everybody missed the -- the media missed the boat commission missed the boat. It didn't see it our our maybe there were some people democracy.

Canseco didn't miss it. Well Richard you bring up that he's going to be there and I agreed the acting as -- asked to be there -- The irony is hank Aaron is not going to be there and there's no doubt the mind in your minor in my mind -- not going to change his mind right

no but. It by -- to be there thank -- pretty ecstatic there I would arm. But I don't think he's going to do that immediately comes into the body you know the physical part of the celebration. Where we're at but you know that -- I don't think so that stopped to even have a celebration on the field. Mean it is a lot has reached out to Terry over the years what arms. And buried it basically going to be equality from -- right this is just what you know -- appreciate all you've done is that what that's just great.

Like that once the moment happens the -- stops.

Are beginning optimistically is -- on it in an on an airplane one out later that the.

While -- if you could taker writers had a often butcher pop psychologists have on have you figured out the phenomenon that is the soap opera called A-Rod. And yeah an out of me out of -- the tabloid stuff but just just the way that it's. You know the dark cloud the bit there's that issue every single day we discuss example if Lance Berkman Miguel mine mine mine with a whole world have been talking about it.

Well guys do do -- you know it's not even I'm pastures of sportsmanship thing is more just childish is particularly when you're talking about a rookie third base is just it basic kind of things you're going to play -- make it safe play the next night. I guarantee you either got one in the ribs you know god you do it they do it as a joke. It does happen. But because of that this guy -- a classic Dirk I think he's an insecure guy actually did you totally happy -- and point out how much all the paintings cost. This stuff like that. He's just a guy that not comfortable result in -- he I was around in some when he. He's in Miami in Miami stadium when he became that we wanted to be -- well you know we -- Ripken and perfect. In being perfect seeing yourself as perfect in the game summit's failure it's impossible in fact I just think he. I don't know he was that he did -- himself a certain way and Texas that was just he a lot of those young guys really came to dislike you know I I -- sorry that I could artist not the most despised player in baseball other players. Really dislike you are. So I think he's the guy that I keep thinking he's going to grow and grow up you know can -- Europe. A lot of guys -- don't.

Important let's -- I'd be interested in knowing your thoughts on Gary Sheffield's comments to GQ are you you aware of those.

Yeah I'm aware look. It is a very complicated issue that we get back you know Eddie Murray and Ozzie Smith came from. I schools in south central Los Angeles those schools don't even have baseball programs anymore. Intercity around the United States don't have the money on baseball parlance -- the upkeep. Buy -- a baseball field. It is very expensive and they follow his appeal to a generation of African American kids you know they love they want to be Michael Jordan. And the NBA get a much better job of marketing efforts in in baseball that is best to try to get it just came back early again. But it a long long slow process you've got to the Dominican Republic there's a baseball game going on every everybody else. And you just don't see that in steaks anymore it's going to be it can't be based it's going to be a long long time getting it and he talked about. You get -- the effect of funding of schools school programs and that's that's but that's a big that the bigger thing than than than baseball and six.

But Sheffield saying that the reason the Latinos outnumber the blacks must -- wide margin baseball is that because they're more easily controlled is that not far is that not too far Richard justice from -- camp tennis saying the reason there are more black managers is because they don't have the necessities.

It's not that far but. Well aware of the reason the reason it and it I I know -- well enough to know what you went back to him today he's a different story the reason it is because there's. Millions of looking -- kids playing baseball bat to. -- how you get. That's how you get signed a great talking you play baseball I met and that's what happened next -- do -- and it's very created the very creative reason to come -- where.

We don't -- might have something to do with Bobby a -- used with the Yankees and he no longer with the Yankees. A personal thing going on.

Tell our media radio obviously yes that's a good point I had not thought that he was a minute that you -- mean one guy that. Very inside.

Richard justice we appreciate the time this morning not nice talkin' baseball with you we appreciate it. -- from the Houston chronicle agree on AOL as well Richard justice with that Dennis and Steve --