Not Everyone In New York Thinks The Pennant Has Been Clinched

John Harper, Daily News:

First, Clemens won't be the savior for this ballclub that his grand unveiling would lead you to believe. Undoubtedly he'll fill a significant hole in the starting rotation, but Clemens is a six-inning pitcher who is sure to be worn down by the return to the American League, which means he'll need help from the so-far underwhelming bullpen ...

During Clemens' five seasons in the Bronx, from 1999-2003, his lowest ERA was 3.51, his highest was 4.60 ... [E]very scout or GM asked to weigh in on the subject the last couple of days seems to believe Clemens is due for a hamstring or groin pull.

"He has a leg problem every couple of years, like clockwork," insisted one scout. "And the older he gets, the more susceptible he is to them."

Bob Raissman quotes Tim McCarver's on-air comments about Clemens:

I have been skeptical when Roger Clemens says he wants another World Series ring. If he really wanted a World Series ring he would've chosen the best club, before spring training started, and been with that club at the beginning of the season so he could do something about it. ...

I mean what a gig, to show up in early June and, in Houston's case over the last few years for the most part, pitch in only home games where he could drive to work and not go on the road. I mean I understand what his agents are saying. They're saying that money is no matter. Well, if that's the case, sign for nothing.

McCarver is making sense. ... I need to go lie down.

The whole column is well worth reading. Raissman is not a fan of Suzyn Waldman, John Sterling or Michael Kay. ... Meanwhile, Kei Igawa was demoted all the way down to Single-A.