ESPN790: "If Brad Ausmus is not back [next year], I'm retiring" - Clemens

If Clemens demands that Ausmus come back next year, Ausmus can be his personal catcher only, go 0-4 each game, leave 5 men on base and Clemens can continue losing 2-1 or 2-0 with a low ERA.
If Ausmus is anything more than a fill in catcher next year, I will lose respect for the organization. He can't hit or throw worth anything and even an average offensive catcher would upgrade our offense a couple of notches next year. The goal should be to put the best team we can on the field, not to stick a pacifier in Roger's mouth to make him happy.

When you are paid $18MM, get to live in your hometown, and only travel on the road when you are pitching, quite asking for even more and be happy with your royal arrangement. I know Clemens is pitching great and I have no problem with his salary or the special treatment because he is earning it. But mouthing off like this to put public pressure on the organization to bow down to his wishes reminds me of why I disliked Clemens so much before he became an Astro.

 

Maybe Ausmus gets into the hitters' heads like Spike Nolan in Brewster's Millions...

"Hey Pujols, I saw you wife the other day...she sure is an ugly b****!"

 

$18M USD




PS. Talking about pgabriel, this dude has not been happy since his idol Franca was traded. Trust me - his unhappiness has nothing to do with baseball.