16
2011
Clemens Speaks About Piazza Incident
An article by 
Almost 11 years later and Roger Clemens still hasn’t gotten any smarter. When he threw a bat shard at Mike Piazza in the 2000 World Series, he made the excuse that he thought it was the ball. Certainly no one understands why Clemens would throw the “ball” at Piazza and not to first base. Maybe Clemens mistakenly believed that he was no longer pitching in the World Series but rather that he was back on the playground in middle school playing dodgeball.
With that in the past, you would think that Clemens would be smart enough not to bring it up again. Well unfortunately you thought wrong.
This past weekend, at a charity event, Clemens was asked about the incident. Clemens responded by saying, “”I just remember my form being really good when I threw the bat, my form was impeccable. I fielded it perfectly. My arm angle when I whistled it on-deck was a little low.”
One has to wonder what was going through Clemens mind when he decided that a joke would be the best way to address this incident. It would not be unreasonable to consider the incident an attempted battery, as it appears Clemens was trying to hit Piazza with the bat. A joke is certainly not the way to respond to such a serious question.
Even before the links were made in the Mitchell Report, people believed that Clemens’ actions might have had something to do with “roid rage”. This could be another explanation for why Clemens made this tasteless joke and also for why he has never admitted why he would have throw a ball at Piazza as he was running to first base.
It is also interesting to note the divergent paths that the two players involved in this incident have taken after their careers have ended. Clemens has been connected to performance enhancing drugs, been indicted on six felony counts related to his testimony in front of Congress, and has been accused of having extra-martial affairs. Piazza on the other hand has eased into an early retirement. He was also brought into Citi Field to catch the first pitch at the new stadium.
It is becoming more and more obvious that only one of these two players will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Let’s just hope that Roger Clemens doesn’t have anything else to say about this incident after Mike Piazza’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
About the Author: Robert Knapel
Robert is from New Jersey. He is currently pursuing Bachelors degrees in both Finance and International Business at Washington University in St. Louis. He has been a Mets fan for as long as he can remember. Robert also serves as an MLB Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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Last updated: 05/21/2013
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If not the # 1 jerk and liar in baseball history, close to it. Piazza should have clocked him.
he did field it cleanly, though.
LOL, Yeah, but his throw was off.
He better bulk up again for where he is going.
That incident could have changed the course of that whole World Series. Clemens should have been ejected on the spot, especially with the history of those two. It has to be demoralizing to see the umps stand around and watch someone try to intentionally injure you or your teammate with what would be considered a deadly weapon in most courts of law.
I always said the same thing. That incident changed the entire momentum of the game. I just had this incredibly bad feeling the moment it happened and my husband said out loud I think the Mets just lost the series. Bad memory that still stings.
Yes it could have but then it would be a hollow victory since everyone would say the Umpires picked the winner of that year.
Keeping it classy! Enjoy a federal prison Roger!
Oh, Roger, you lovable scamp
The greatest satisfaction for me, will be seeing Mike Piazza elected as a first ballot Hall of Famer, and seeing Roger Clemens not voted in. This one infamous incident alone is enough proof of how Clemens would do ANYTHING to win no matter how unethical, immoral or illegal.
In the end, good prevails and evil fails. Roger will be back in pinstripes again, but this time the uniform will be worn behind bars. I can’t wait for the day. Hopefully Mike has his HOF induction when Roger is in lock-up.
With all his workouts, Roger always had more below his shoulders than above. His damaged ego is intact but his brain is still tiny.
Among other things if the steroid side effects are still there.
Lighten up…he made a joke. Sure, Clemens is a baboon, and should have been ejected immediately for the incident, however, it was 11 years ago, it was dumb for him to even be asked about that incident at this point with all of his other issues he has and he handled it well with a light-hearted joke. Lighten up.
Once an A-Hole always an A-Hole!
Nice to see Rodger has a sense of humor considering his career and reputation went down the toilet.
When he beaned Piazza I worte at the time that Mike should take a civil suit out on him History will show that Piazza was never the same hitter after the beaning.
I never connected Clemens with steroids until I saw the bat incident. But his bloated sweaty pitcher doing something that was downright insane could have only been suffering roid rage and I was convinced.
I’ll never forget Piazza approaching Clemens after the bat incident – you could read his lips – “What is your problem?” is what he said.
I was proud that Mike didn’t punch Rodger out at the time – my god, he could have broken Clemens in two – but he gave a great example to youngsters on how to handle a bully.
I want to go on record about Murray Chass’s continuing attack on Piazza’s reputation. This former NYTimes hack – who is a reknowned Mets hater – has been using his blog to insist that Piazza was on steroids.
Wheater or not Mike juiced is not the issue – but Chass has no proof except that he really dislikes the Mets.
You can’t spell Chass, without ass. Nuff said about that loser. Speaking of loser, did someone say Roger Clemens?
Clemens is the biggest douche bag to wear a baseball uniform and I would love to see his reaction when he becomes eligible for the HOF and is ignored in the voting!
and Murray Chass is a certified POS….