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According to several sources, the Marlins plan to hire former Major League pitcher Roger Clemens as an assistant pitching coach early this month.
Pitching coach Juan Nieves will maintain his position, the sources say.
Rocket, as he is affectionately called, was a 7-time Cy Young Award winner and 11-time All-Star during his storied Major League career. But his life since retirement has been dogged by accusations of steroid use, which included a grand jury indictment on perjury charges. Clemens was found not guilty of lying to Congress in 2012.
In December, the Marlins named all-time home run king Barry Bonds as their new hitting coach, moving Frank Menechino into an assistant role. That will not be the case with Clemens, who will serve as the assistant coach to Juan Nieves.
Like Bonds, Clemens will be making his return to baseball after years away from the game. Unlike Bonds, Clemens has not remained out of the spotlight entirely during his time away from the Majors.
For one month in 2012, Clemens joined the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League. As a 50-year-old, he notched 8 scoreless innings over two starts.
Officials for the Marlins have yet to confirm the rumors, per team policy.
Once the announcement is made official, Clemens is expected to join the team sometime in the second or third week of the season. The reason for the delay is unknown, but it is thought to stem from owner Jeffrey Loria's desire to receive commissioner Rob Manfred's blessing on the hiring.
Loria is known for his tight control on the day-to-day operations of the ballclub, and his coaching staff, with the addition of Clemens, will be littered with former Major Leaguers whom he admired during their playing days. During Game 4 of the 2003 World Series, which was supposed to be Clemens's final Major League appearance, Loria is said to have personally sought out Clemens in order to congratulate him on winding down his career.
Sometime in the last few months, sources say, Loria reached out to rekindle that relationship, and conversations about a coaching job for Clemens began to intensify in March.
Pitching coach Juan Nieves will maintain his position, the sources say.
Rocket, as he is affectionately called, was a 7-time Cy Young Award winner and 11-time All-Star during his storied Major League career. But his life since retirement has been dogged by accusations of steroid use, which included a grand jury indictment on perjury charges. Clemens was found not guilty of lying to Congress in 2012.
In December, the Marlins named all-time home run king Barry Bonds as their new hitting coach, moving Frank Menechino into an assistant role. That will not be the case with Clemens, who will serve as the assistant coach to Juan Nieves.
Like Bonds, Clemens will be making his return to baseball after years away from the game. Unlike Bonds, Clemens has not remained out of the spotlight entirely during his time away from the Majors.
For one month in 2012, Clemens joined the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League. As a 50-year-old, he notched 8 scoreless innings over two starts.
Officials for the Marlins have yet to confirm the rumors, per team policy.
Once the announcement is made official, Clemens is expected to join the team sometime in the second or third week of the season. The reason for the delay is unknown, but it is thought to stem from owner Jeffrey Loria's desire to receive commissioner Rob Manfred's blessing on the hiring.
Loria is known for his tight control on the day-to-day operations of the ballclub, and his coaching staff, with the addition of Clemens, will be littered with former Major Leaguers whom he admired during their playing days. During Game 4 of the 2003 World Series, which was supposed to be Clemens's final Major League appearance, Loria is said to have personally sought out Clemens in order to congratulate him on winding down his career.
Sometime in the last few months, sources say, Loria reached out to rekindle that relationship, and conversations about a coaching job for Clemens began to intensify in March.
either Loria is a genius or a moron
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