Post by musicradio77 on Apr 5, 2005 19:07:06 GMT -5
From the Daily News:
Clement Tries on n New Sox
Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe have ditched their red socks, and Curt Schilling's famously bloody one ultimately landed him on the disabled list to start the Red Sox's first title defense in 86 years.
After taking care of one of the replacement arms in Boston's rotation (David Wells) on Opening Night, the Yankees will take their hacks against another today at the Stadium.
Matt Clement, whom the Red Sox signed after Carl Pavano spurned them for the Yanks, will oppose Pavano in the first start for each hurler with his new team. That only adds another subplot to a rivalry overflowing with them.
"I think it's a good test for yourself early in the season to pitch, not only if you look at the scope of the rivalry, but at the scope of (the Yankees') lineup," Clement said before Sunday's 9-2 loss. "To be good, you have to be able to pitch against the best, and they're right up there.
"There's not a better test in baseball. You're facing future Hall of Famers, guys that are All-Stars every year. As a competitor, it's a good way to measure yourself."
The Red Sox clearly measured Clement more on ability than statistics when they guaranteed him $25.5 million over the next three years.
The 30-year-old righthander has made at least 30 starts in each of his six full seasons in the majors with San Diego, Florida and the Cubs, and he possesses a live and durable arm that scouts rave about. But Clement also has posted a lifetime record of just 69-75, including a 9-13 mark in Chicago last season despite a 3.68 ERA.
Clement and Schilling went over the New York lineup in a corner of the visiting clubhouse Sunday, but Joe Torre said the Yanks also got a scouting report from bench coach Joe Girardi, Clement's former catcher with the Cubs.
"He's got a very powerful arm and he's got a lot of movement on his pitches," Sox catcher Jason Varitek said. "He's got a great slider and a little split-change. He can do a lot with the baseball.
"And part of being in a new place is starting with a clean slate."
Despite the advent of interleague play, Clement sports a blank canvas at Yankee Stadium, where he'd never visited until throwing a bullpen session at Saturday's workout.
"It was pretty cool just to walk the field and throw my 'pen and check out the statues out there," Clement said. "To know the different people who've played on this field, it's a pretty cool thing to be a part of it."
Clement Tries on n New Sox
Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe have ditched their red socks, and Curt Schilling's famously bloody one ultimately landed him on the disabled list to start the Red Sox's first title defense in 86 years.
After taking care of one of the replacement arms in Boston's rotation (David Wells) on Opening Night, the Yankees will take their hacks against another today at the Stadium.
Matt Clement, whom the Red Sox signed after Carl Pavano spurned them for the Yanks, will oppose Pavano in the first start for each hurler with his new team. That only adds another subplot to a rivalry overflowing with them.
"I think it's a good test for yourself early in the season to pitch, not only if you look at the scope of the rivalry, but at the scope of (the Yankees') lineup," Clement said before Sunday's 9-2 loss. "To be good, you have to be able to pitch against the best, and they're right up there.
"There's not a better test in baseball. You're facing future Hall of Famers, guys that are All-Stars every year. As a competitor, it's a good way to measure yourself."
The Red Sox clearly measured Clement more on ability than statistics when they guaranteed him $25.5 million over the next three years.
The 30-year-old righthander has made at least 30 starts in each of his six full seasons in the majors with San Diego, Florida and the Cubs, and he possesses a live and durable arm that scouts rave about. But Clement also has posted a lifetime record of just 69-75, including a 9-13 mark in Chicago last season despite a 3.68 ERA.
Clement and Schilling went over the New York lineup in a corner of the visiting clubhouse Sunday, but Joe Torre said the Yanks also got a scouting report from bench coach Joe Girardi, Clement's former catcher with the Cubs.
"He's got a very powerful arm and he's got a lot of movement on his pitches," Sox catcher Jason Varitek said. "He's got a great slider and a little split-change. He can do a lot with the baseball.
"And part of being in a new place is starting with a clean slate."
Despite the advent of interleague play, Clement sports a blank canvas at Yankee Stadium, where he'd never visited until throwing a bullpen session at Saturday's workout.
"It was pretty cool just to walk the field and throw my 'pen and check out the statues out there," Clement said. "To know the different people who've played on this field, it's a pretty cool thing to be a part of it."