Former New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens failed to appear in 75% of the ballots and, as a result, won’t be entering the National Baseball Hall of Fame via the BBWAA, or the traditional way. It was his tenth and final year of eligibility, and he will now have to be approved by a committee of veterans in order to make it to Cooperstown.
Clemens, who pitched with the Yankees from 1999 to 2003, and then again in 2007, went to Twitter to express his feelings after being snubbed by voters one last time. Essentially, he said he stopped caring a few years ago.
“Hey y’all! I figured I’d give y’all a statement since it’s that time of the year again,” Clemens said in a statement. “My family and I put the HOF in the rear view mirror ten years ago. I didn’t play baseball to get into the HOF. I played to make a generational difference in the lives of my family. Then focus on winning championships while giving back to my community and the fans as well. It was my passion.”
The former Yankees pitcher earned 65.2% of votes
David Ortiz, a longtime Yankees nemesis since his days with the Boston Red Sox, was the only person elected to the Hall. Clemens earned 257 votes, or 65.2%, falling short once again, mostly because of links of steroids use.
On the field, he was a true monster and had more than enough accomplishments to be enshrined: seven Cy Young Awards, two-time World Series championships, 354 wins, a 3.12 ERA and 4,672 strikeouts.
“I gave it all I had, the right way, for my family and for the fans who supported me,” the World Series champion with the Yankees in 1999 and 2000 continued. “I am grateful for that support. I would like to thank those who took the time to look at the facts and vote for me. Hopefully everyone can now close this book and keep their eyes forward focusing on what is really important in life. All love!”