Roger Clemens just may get in the Hall of Fame this year- as he should.

Let’s make this simple. I’ll give you three names. You tell me who was the best pitcher:
Mike Mussina. Roy Halladay. Roger Clemens
If you did not pick Roger Clemens you either never watched a game of baseball in your life, or you’re numb as a hake. Simple.

Don’t get you’re underwear in a bunch yet. All I asked was for you to select the best pitcher. That was the easy one. Now, the slightly tougher question:

Which pitcher most deserves to be in the Hall of Fame?

Mike Mussina
Roy Halladay
Roger Clemens

I will allow minor and brief debate on this one. Mike Mussina won almost 300 games and Roy Halladay was a workhorse who had a 16 year ERA if 3.38 and a couple of Cy Youngs.

But Roger Clemens remains the right answer. Yes, I know you think I am biased because the Sports Chowdah is bringing the Rocket to Bangor in March. I probably am a little.

But look, there’s no questioning Rocket’s Hall of Fame credentials. He won seven Cy Youngs, an MVP and two World Series rings. He’s ninth in career wins at 354, third in strikeouts, and trails only Cy Young and Walter Johnson in WAR for pitchers.

Keeping in mind he was never suspended for PED use or found guilty of anything related to steroid use. Yup, there is smoke and probably fire when it comes to his use. But, legally speaking, he’s not guilty.

Those who believe he did juice think it most likely started after he left Boston. The case is always made by Barry Bonds supporters that he was HOF worthy before he allegedly did steroids. I say the same for Clemens.

And by this argument alone he is a better HOF candidate than Roy Halladay.

Through 1996 with the Sox, Clemens was 192-111 with a 3.06 ERA 1.16 WHIP with 2,590 strikeouts. He won three Cy Youngs, an MVP, led the league in ERA four times, WHIP twice, strikeouts three times, shutouts five times. Halladay won 203 games, had an ERA higher and only two Cy Youngs his entire career.

We all love Pedro Martinez right? Consider this: Pedro had 219 wins, and an ERA of 2.93. Awesome! But he tacked on 13 of those wins in three final miserable seasons in the NL. His career stats compare with Rogers time in Boston.

It looks like Halladay and Mussina will make it this year. Maybe even Curt Schilling who was a clutch post season performer for sure.

Clemens is right on the border. With 140 of the 412 ballots revealed he was listed on 74.8%. A player needs to be on 75%. He should be on way more. But obviously the old stodgy baseball writers who probably still use pencils and notepads to cover games, either haven’t ever seen a baseball game, or most likely are just numb as a hake.

Jeff Solari

About Jeff Solari

Jeff Solari is the president and founder of the Sports Chowdah, Maine’s only free, weekly sports e mail newsletter. Recently, the Mount Desert Island native was the co-host of "The Drive" on 92.9 FM in Bangor.