Roger Clemens is making a comeback of some sorts.
Clemens has agreed to sign with the Sugar Land Skeeters, an independent club in the Houston area, the club has announced. The news was first reported by FOX 26 in Houston. Clemens is expected to join the club on Friday and make his first start on Saturday.
Club officials told the FOX affiliate that the 50-year-old was clocked at 87 mph during a workout on Monday.
For what it's worth (which could be absolutely nothing), the Skeeters website has Saturday listed as The Human Fireball Night.
"The Bases are sure to be smoking after this game," the team's site states. "No, not from all the runs the Skeeters will score. It will be from Stuntman Ted Batchelor as he LIGHTS HIMSELF ON FIRE after the game and does a complete trip around the bases."
It is possible that Clemens — who was once described as a "fireballer" — could be doing his part in a promotional effort. Also, Clemens' legacy has since gone up in flames, so there's that, too. At this rate, anything is possible with the seven-time Cy Young winner.
It gets better, too. As the guys at SurvivingGrady.com point out, the Skeeters' opponents on Saturday — the Bridgeport Bluefish — feature former Red Sox third baseman Shea Hillenbrand.
Clemens last pitched in 2007, appearing in 18 games and tossing 99 innings. He went 6-6 with a 4.18 ERA at the age of 44.
He was also in the news recently after being acquitted on all counts in his drawn-out perjury case. Clemens was accused of lying to Congress in 2008 when testifying that he never took performance-enhancing drugs.
