Surprise guest at Astros Mini-camp

by TexSkins on Jan 30, 2008 6:25 PM CST

Roger Clemens showed up at mini-camp today, according to the Yahoo! Sports article. (ESPN has pretty much the same AP story.) The story briefly went over his throwing to the young hitters and all, including how most "of the batters whiffed at least once, even after Clemens would call out what kind of pitch he was throwing."

But it also had a little bit about Brandon Backe throwing today. From the article:

Brandon Backe, expected to start for the Astros this season, pitched when Clemens was finished. He threw about 40 pitches, then Clemens gave him advice off the mound on the first-base side.

Not good news, not bad news. I think it'll be good for Backe to get this early work in, so he can really see where his arm is at before going to camp. Plus, any knowledge Clemens can give him can only help (unless it is on how to use sterile needles.)

Any thoughts on this?

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Sure can't hurt...

for Backe to get some advice from Clemens. I recall stories about Clemens working with Backe during the seasons when Clemens was his teammate. That quote, by the way, initially was confusing to me. "Clemens gave him advice off the mound on the first base side." Why are all those words in the sentence? Was he talking to him about his follow through off the mound toward the first base side? After re-reading the sentence a few times, I finally decided the reporter was just describing the location where Clemens talked to Backe. I'm not sure the description of where they stood is all that informative or necessary, though.

by clack on Jan 30, 2008 11:37 PM CST reply actions

As a writer...

that quote made me cry. The fact that the reporter wrote that and the editor let it go is sad.

There are so many better ways to express the fact that Clemens was watching Backe from the right side of the infield.

by TexSkins on Jan 31, 2008 1:25 AM CST up reply actions

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