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5/10/06

Clemens says he's not itching to return to baseball


HOUSTON -- Roger Clemens says he's not getting the itch to play baseball yet, but he says he thinks his family is warming up to the idea.

The Houston Astros asked earlier this month to talk to the agent for the seven-time Cy Young winner to discuss a new contract that could bring him back for a third season. Other teams also have expressed interest in the 43-year-old free agent. Clemens is considering retirement.

"I'm listening to what the [agents Alan and Randy] Hendricks have to say," Clemens told Houston television station KRIV on Tuesday. He said the agents meet with him about once a week to give him updates. "I am going to have to make a decision if I want to play this year fairly soon."

Clemens said, "I can tell you the latest is probably the family is warming up to it again. Even my two little ones, who did not want Dad to go out there, are talking about it again, which I knew that would happen once they were seeing all my friends out there playing with Houston."

Clemens said that while he might not be "too far away" physically to playing again "mentally I'm nowhere close."

He said the Astros have given two target dates in June that they would like if he chooses to return. He said he didn't know the specific dates.

The pitcher, wearing an Astros jersey, spoke to students at an annual musical scores outreach program in The Woodlands. He told the middle school students that he still goes to class to learn about opposing teams.