Roger Clemens Shows Up At Astros Camp

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) _ Roger Clemens pitched to his son and two other minor leaguers at the Houston Astros' spring training camp Thursday, and is no closer to deciding whether he'll play a 24th

Thursday, February 22nd 2007, 12:47 pm

By: News On 6

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) _ Roger Clemens pitched to his son and two other minor leaguers at the Houston Astros' spring training camp Thursday, and is no closer to deciding whether he'll play a 24th season.

If he comes back, the 44-year-old pitching great said he'll choose between the hometown Astros, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

``Everybody knows where I stand. I don't care to play, but if that decision comes up again, then it's a big decision on me,'' he said. ``It has nothing to do with anybody else. It's a decision on me to go out and perform.''

Clemens said he's not ``milking'' his decision in search of the highest bidder. He also said he'll have no problem walking away when the time comes.

``It's 10 times harder to make the decision to come back and try to do it again,'' he said. ``I love what I do and I have high expectations to perform. When I don't, it's disappointing.''

Clemens is on an easier workout schedule now and won't increase the load unless he commits to playing again.

``I feel very good, I feel strong,'' he said. ``But the intensity is nowhere near close to this point last year when I was getting ready for the world event. I had a lot riding on my shoulders.''

Clemens caused a bigger stir at spring training last season, pitching to minor leaguers to prepare for the World Baseball Classic. On Thursday, he wore a black Astros cap, black Astros T-shirt and white pants. He hit grounders to son Koby, a third baseman in the Astros' minor league system, and shagged balls in the outfield.

Clemens says he is content to hang around the spring training complex and advise younger players. He'll also host some charity events while in Florida.

``Right now, it's going to be a slow, dead period,'' Clemens said. ``I'm doing what I love to do. I'm going to be running around here, throwing batting practice. I'll throw BP to the big guys if they need it. There won't be a lot of moss growing underneath my feet.''