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3/16/06

Clemens Getting the Ball for Last Time?

By JOHN NADEL
AP Sports Writer


ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Roger Clemens might be pitching in his last game Thursday night. And Team USA could be playing for the final time in the inaugural World Baseball Classic.

Clemens, a winner of 341 games in a magnificent career that began with the Boston Red Sox in 1984, opposes Mexico to complete Round 2 at Angel Stadium.

A victory by Team USA would clinch a berth in the WBC semifinals Saturday in San Diego against South Korea, which beat Japan 2-1 on Wednesday night to help the U.S. avoid elimination.

"I'll tell you what, I don't know that I've ever been as nervous watching a baseball game as I was in this one," Team USA manager Buck Martinez said. "What a great game that was.

"It's a big relief, obviously. We were all very anxious for this game tonight. Japan is a very good baseball team."

Clemens has said he's leaning toward retirement after the Classic. As evidenced by his 13-8 record and NL-leading 1.87 ERA for Houston last season, the 43-year-old right-hander can still do the job as well as anyone around.

"I know my immediate plans are I'll go back to Florida," Clemens said earlier this week. "My children are on spring break, so I know immediately what I'm going to do.

"It doesn't matter when I step away. I will miss competing, but I won't be too far from the game."

"That's something you tell your grandkids about, especially if you do something to help get him a win," Team USA teammate Chipper Jones said Wednesday following a workout at nearby Cal State Fullerton. "Throwing the ball back to him after an out, having him look at me and say, `Let's go,' it's an experience.

"When Roger tells you, `Let's get it on,' I think everybody kicks it up a notch. Guys will be huddled around, talking smack in the clubhouse, and once Roger walks in, it's like the parting of the Red Sea. He's got worldwide respect."

Clemens gave up one hit in 4 1-3 shutout innings against South Africa last Friday, walking none and striking out six.

<!-- BEGIN MEDIA BOX NUMBER 4 --><!-- END MEDIA BOX NUMBER 4 -->The Americans bring a 1-1 second-round record into the game while Mexico is 0-2. South Korea finished Round 2 with a 3-0 record and Japan went 1-2.

"Our destiny is not in our hands," Jones said before South Korea's victory.

"We knew it wasn't going to be easy. We hoped that we wouldn't be in that situation, but we've had two games where we haven't played particularly well.

"If you don't play particularly well with a bulls' eye on your chest, you're going to get beat."

That's what happened last week, when the United States lost to Canada 8-6, but it still advanced to the second round. And that's what occurred Monday night, when the Americans were beaten 7-3 by South Korea - another setback they just might manage to survive with help.

<!-- BEGIN MEDIA BOX NUMBER 5 --><!-- END MEDIA BOX NUMBER 5 -->Derrek Lee won't play against Mexico because of a sore left shoulder, and Johnny Damon won't play in the field because of tendinitis in his left shoulder. Whether Damon can hit will be determined before the game. He was cleared to pinch run.

Lee is 5-for-14 with three homers and eight RBIs in four games while Damon is 1-for-7 in four games.

Martinez said he planned to start Michael Barrett at catcher, Mark Teixiera at first base, Michael Young at second, Jones at third, Derek Jeter at shortstop, Jeff Francoeur in left field, Ken Griffey Jr., in center, Vernon Wells in right and Alex Rodriguez as the designated hitter.

Francoeur has only three WBC at-bats and Barrett just five - the lowest totals among Team USA position players who have played in the Classic.

Jeter has hit safely in each of his team's games, going 9-for-16. Griffey is 10-for-17 with three homers and 10 RBIs, and Rodriguez is 7-for-19.

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