Drafted in 1983, Clemens debuted for Boston the following season and was unremarkable for the first two seasons, but the potential was certainly there. His breakout was 1986, where he won the MVP, the Cy Young, and lead the American League in Wins (24), ERA (2.48), FIP (2.81), and WHIP (0.969). He led the Red Sox to the World Series, but as we all know, the BoSox lost in a heartbreaking World Series to the New York Mets, which they had seemingly won in Game 6; that is until Mookie Wilson’s ground ball went through Bill Buckner’s legs.
The ”Rocket” continued as an elite hurler, winning the Cy Young again in 1987 and 1991, won three more ERA Titles, and won two Strikeout Titles. From 1986 to 1992, Clemens was regarded as the best Pitcher in the American League and would have a monumental 20 Strikeout Game. He would miss games in 1993 and 1994, but even with a losing record in 1995 (10-13), he won his third Strikeout Title in 257.
The Red Sox thought Clemens’s peak was over, and the Toronto Blue Jays signed him in Free Agency with a more substantial offer. As it turned out, he had a lot more fuel (insert joke) and won four more Cy Youngs and two World Series Rings. With the Red Sox, he would go 192-111 with a 3.06 ERA and 2,590 Strikeouts.Clemens might not have made the Baseball Hall of Fame due to PED suspicion, but he did gain entry to the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014. There might be many Cooperstown entries below him on this list, but the stats don't lie; Clemens was the best Pitcher that Boston ever had.
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