Give Lester '21'
A suggestion what to do with jersey number 21

''Lester is a different story, one of the crown jewels of the Boston farm system, an inspirational story that’s coming close to its climax.'' - Eric Wilbur

With all the hogwash doing the round right now in regards the Roger Clemens saga, nice to see someone come up with a fresh and very interesting angle. The Globes Eric Wilbur suggests that Boston can get some serious closure on this whole Roger Clemens 'thing' by doing something pretty interesting. He writes;

''In fact, the Red Sox could do little worse than ending the whole Roger charade by severing all ties with his memory now. Award No. 21 to someone this year, perhaps a certain lefthander in the coming weeks as a sign of respect and honor for his road to recovery?''

He means of course, Jon Lester. Wilbur continues;

''Who better to don the number than Lester? .............Lester is a different story, one of the crown jewels of the Boston farm system, an inspirational story that’s coming close to its climax. There's a reason to give this kid the number, if he wants it. It's obvious Clemens has become more attached to his Yankee 22 anyhow''

What a fantastic idea. Hopefully someone in the Red Sox front office either sees this or is told about this, as this would really be a imaginative retort to Roger 'show me the money' Clemens taking the extra few dollars and heading to one of the basement dwellers of the AL East. Isn't it great describing the Yankees as basement dwellers?

Former Boston College starter and current Irish National Team ace Chris Gannon e-mailed me this morning asking;

''What do you think about Roger back at the Yanks? To me, I really don't give a (expletive deleted)! Sox are still stronger...''

Glad you asked. Personally, I am absolutely delighted. Why? Because I want to the Fenway crowd to get a shot at reprising one of their greatest chants ever. In '99 when Pedro and the Sox faced the Yanks in the first round of the ALCS, the Sox took game one 13-1 over Clemens and the Yanks. They knocked Roger out of the game very early, and as the runs piled on against Hideki 'the fat toad' Irabu (the Yankee owner's words, not mine) half the Fenway faithful present chanted 'Where is Roger?' to which the other half replied, with gusto, 'In the shower!'.

I can not wait to see Big Papi launch one off him.

The guy is about to turn 45 years old. We, as Sox fans, are supposed to be scared with the Yankees wheeling out a 45 year old guy with groin problems? This doesn't smell like sweet desperation on the Yankees part?

I absolutely 100% agree with Eric Wilbur. Let's give '21' to Lester and turn the page on this one.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I have to admit...I've been a closet Roger Clemens fan. He was one of the first pitchers I saw pitch at Fenway when i was growing up and even forgave him for his stint at NY because I'm good like that. I've been a fan of his when he played for the Astros too as I felt he was sticking close to home for his family...blah blah blah.

But now? F You Roger Clemens. We DON'T need you. I'll sew the 21 on Lester's back myself! if he gets that number...I'll be first in line to get his jersey.

Great post
Cormac said…
Wouldn't that just be a great jersey? Sign me up for one of those too. Heck, i'll even buy Dan Shaughnessy one seeing as he is such a fan of adult males wearing baseball jerseys.
BklynSoxFan said…
I was at "The Clemens Massacre" as I call it, the '99 ALCS matchup with Pedro that turned into a wipeout at Fenway Park. It was one of the fun days of my life at any ballpark, and I PROUDLY booed that traitor lustily.

I made the same suggestion on my blog yesterday too about giving Jon Lester number 21. If he stays with number 31, give 21 to some other rookie coming up. Turn the page on Clemens, he's old news now.
Cormac said…
''I made the same suggestion on my blog yesterday too about giving Jon Lester number 21. ''

Hopefully Eric didn't steal it off you!!

:o)