When Roger Clemens wanted to 'crack open' Hank Aaron's head for suggesting he was not worthy of being named MVP

Back in 1986 when Roger Clemens was awarded the American League's MVP, there was much debate surrounding the decision as pitchers were generally not considered for the award. One reason for this is that they do not play regularly. Hank Aaron had criticized the decision, provoking a harsh reply from Roger Clemens.

Clemens had a 23-year-long career, initially playing 13 seasons with the Red Sox, where he made his name as one of the best pitchers of all time. He would later move to the Blue Jays before winning two World Series titles with the Yankees.

Hank Aaron was already deep into his retirement when Clemens burst onto the scene. Aaron was a 25-time All-Star and won plenty of individual awards, including a National League MVP in 1957. So when Clemens' decision was announced, Aaron had something to say:

"Everyday players cannot win the Cy Young Award, and pitchers should not be able to win the MVP award. The pitchers have their own MVP award, and it's the Cy Young. I feel very strongly about that."

OldTimeHardball

@OleTimeHardball

By the end of his age 24 season (1987) Roger Clemens was 60-22 with 36 CG and 10 Shutouts.....and had captured the 1986 AL MVP and back-to-back AL Cy Young ('86-'87)

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By the end of his age 24 season (1987) Roger Clemens was 60-22 with 36 CG and 10 Shutouts.....and had captured the 1986 AL MVP and back-to-back AL Cy Young ('86-'87) https://t.co/6TJgECT5Qk

To this, the Boston Red Sox pitcher, who helped the team to a World Series appearance, retaliated, saying he wished Aaron was still playing so he could teach him a lesson.

Clemens said:

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"I wish he were still playing. I'd probably crack his head open to show him how valuable I was."

Roger Clemens' unwillingness to pitch in a World Series game was heavily criticized

Clemens caused quite a stir when his decision not to pitch in a crucial Game Six of the 1986 World Series was heavily scrutinized. While some accounts say that it was then-manager John McNamara who had replaced him from the rotation, the majority claim that Roger Clemens himself asked to be taken out of the game because of a blister.

Clemens defended himself, saying that the blister on his hand was enough to put him off his game as he wouldn't be able to pitch sliders.

"My blister was at a point where I couldn't finish off my slider. I didn't want to hang my slider and jeopardize the team. But I thought I did my job," Clemens had said.

Regardless of how he pitched on the field, Clemens' legacy was tarnished forever when he was named by Jose Canseco in his book Juiced for the alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. During a congressional hearing where players were asked to testify, Clemens chose not to make any statement. This ambiguity was enough to keep him away from the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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