06/21/06 8:00 AM ET
Twenty-two ways to celebrate Rocket
Jerseys to downloadable games, MLB.com is Clemens Central
By Mark Newman / MLB.com

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- Watch live on MLB.TV
- Baseball braces for Rocket's return
- Clemens out to fight Father Time
- Rocket out to erase October memories
- Shop for Clemens gear, memorabilia
1. Rawlings Peterson's Baseball Scorebook. Use this to start keeping score of every Rocket outing this season. As usual, you never know if it's his last year. Sharpen that Astros Pencil 6-Pack to fill in that scorecard, then as a nice touch you can keep your writing utensils in a Round Rock Express Pencil Cup -- remembering Rocket's last stop on his road back through the Minors.
2. Customized jersey. It might be time for a new No. 22 in that closet, because you probably wore yours out last season. Look for the authentic home or road version -- a must because Clemens' new jersey against the Twins will have that "1962-2006" commemorative patch on the sleeve.
3. Buy the book. Clemens wrote the foreword and is on the cover of the MLB.com bestseller "Inside the Magical Seasons" -- a journey through the 2004-05 seasons that took the Astros to their first World Series. Now the story continues, so put this one on your shelf as the next chapter is written.
4. Just stare at his career stats.
5. Remember when he became "The Rocket." It was that night in Boston in 1986 when Clemens became the first Major Leaguer to strike out 20 batters in a game. Maybe you just watched it over the weekend on ESPN Classic's "Flamethrowers" episode. Even better than non-interactive TV is to watch it again on Baseball's Best, because the clickable linescore lets you actually click any inning during the game so you see the exact moments you want to see.
6. Rocket Returns Package. Order that ticket package and you will have the same seat at Minute Maid to see every one of Clemens' regular season starts this season, including this grand return. There's a free commemorative gift if you're at the Thursday debut with this ticket package. Join Astros fan Debbie Tucker, who sent this e-mail to MLB.com: "Here's another way to celebrate the Rocket: My husband and I are celebrating our 22nd wedding anniversary on June 22, and we will be at the park to watch Roger -- our first time to see him pitch. I'm so excited, even though I was only able to get the $7 seats! FYI, my Mom and Dad celebrated their 22nd anniversary on our wedding day, June 22, 1984. Interesting, isn't it?"
7. Desk Calendar. It's 22 inches wide (and 17 inches tall). A great way to jot down all those scheduled Rocket starts.
8. Upper Deck Game-Used Framed Photo. This work of art is 14 by 19 inches and features a piece of game-used baseball from a Clemens start.
9. Sign up for MLB.TV now so you'll be able to watch Clemens' starts live from anywhere. Local blackouts apply. Benefits include being able to view archived MLB.TV broadcasts, and MLB.TV Mosaic is coming soon as the definitive way to "see everything" the rest of the baseball season.
10. The College World Series is under way, and you can bid on a 1983 University of Texas No. 21 jersey that Clemens has signed with the inscriptions: "83 NATL CHAMPS" and "HOOK EM." That was the year the Rocket went the distance and gave Texas the national title.
11. Order The Championship Season DVD. It's a must for every Astros fan, filled with highlights and behind-the-scenes interviews, and narrated by actor Dennis Quaid. Of course, it includes a lot of Rocket. Another way to pick up where it all left off.
12. Blog about the Rocket's return. Many people are already doing that over at MLBlogs.com, which is an official affiliate of MLB.com with unofficial opinions. Choose an Astros logo for your template, post your favorite Clemens memories in text and multimedia and use it as a chronicle for your thoughts the rest of the season and beyond.
| Roger Clemens returns to mound |
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Rocket blasts off again in Houston
Molony: Clemens lays strong foundation Roger Clemens allowed two runs and struck out four over five innings for the Astros on Thursday night against the Twins in his first Major League action since October. Full story > Astros glad to have Rocket back Twins see bright future for Clemens Download Baseball's Best Clemens reaches 300 wins, 4,000 strikeouts Clemens strikes out record 15 in ALCS Clemens wins 1999 World Series clincher Clemens' second 20-strikeout game |
13. Read all about it. MLB.com is pouring on the coverage, and you can find links to all related Clemens stories.
14. Own the 18-inning 2005 National League Division Series clincher. The MLB.com Digital Download Service offers that one for just $3.95, so you can put it on your hard drive and watch as Clemens made that historic relief appearance to knock out the Braves.
15. Bid at the MLB.com Auction on a baseball signed by 10 Major Leaguers who are in the 3,000-strikeout club -- including Clemens.
16. Buy an autographed 2005 World Series baseball.
17. Add the "Charge" ringtone to your mobile phone. It just seems appropriate for Astros fans now that Clemens is coming back, you also can sign up for Astros Team Alerts to track Clemens' 2006 outings.
18. Autographed baseball with case and a World Baseball Classic ball. This is a great piece of memorabilia and a reminder that Clemens' last noteworthy start came for Team USA this March.
19. If you were among the many who stashed him away on your fantasy roster, get ready to use him again. Could be a nice midseason lift.
20. Clemens wallpaper for your desktop.
21. Buy a signed 2004 All-Star Jersey. This one from Tri-Star Productions is $799.99, and Clemens, who started that game at home for the NL, signed it in white on the first "2".
22. Motion Products Clemens 3D Cup. This 18-ounce cup has rotating logos, is top shelf dishwasher safe, and best of all for an Astros fan, it features Roger Clemens. Move it and you can see that he's back. Or just watch his start against the Twins for further proof.
Mark Newman is enterprise editor for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.










Roger Clemens allowed two runs and struck out four over five innings for the Astros on Thursday night against the Twins in his first Major League action since October. 