Clemens today will make his second attempt at career win No. 300 against the Detroit Tigers, a milestone only 20 pitchers have reached — and none have since 1990.
Former All-Star pitcher Jack Morris, who has 254 career wins and three World Series rings, will not be surprised if the 300 club is stuck at 21 with No. 22 of the New York Yankees.
“It’s a milestone in today’s era that is an incredible feat,” said Morris, who pitched from 1977-94. “Tom Glavine might have a chance. Greg Maddux, maybe. After those guys, we might not see it again.
“I questioned five years ago if anybody would reach 300 when Roger had a sore arm and some baseball people thought he might be done. Then his arm came back to life, he got on a good team, and he’s pitching as well as he ever has. It’s truly remarkable.”
Former Texas Longhorns star Clemens, who won his 299th game May 21 against Boston, is looking to become the first 300-game winner since Texas Ranger Nolan Ryan joined the elite group 13 years ago. He failed in his first bid for 300 on Monday at home against Boston.
“A couple years ago, it became more of a goal,” Clemens says.
Clemens (299-154) has won 66 percent of his games in a 20-year career with the Red Sox, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Yankees. Lefty Grove (.680) and Christy Mathewson (.665) are the only pitchers with 300 wins and a better winning percentage than that of Clemens. Both pitched in the early 1900s.
