Rocket Returns

See what $22 million can buy? A big, old, expensive rocket.

From today’s New York Times:

HOUSTON (AP) — Roger Clemens is coming out of retirement for the third time, agreeing to a $22 million contract to pitch for the Houston Astros for the rest of 2006.

The 43-year-old Clemens, who will be entering his 23rd major league season, is agreeing first to a minor league contract that pays $322,000 over the five-month minor league season, and his first start is likely to be at Lexington, Ky., the Class A team where his oldest son, Koby, plays.

If all goes well, his second minor-league start would be June 11 at Double-A Corpus Christi, Texas, followed by a start June 16 at Triple-A Round Rock, Texas.

Clemens announced his return Wednesday at a news conference.

“The ball’s in my court now,” he said. “This was a difficult decision on my part in a number of situations. I have to now take the next step and get my body ready to come back, get effective, win games.”

Now the question is, what will Clemens have to do to live up to all the hype surrounding this decision? What will he have to do to live up to all the money?

One thing is for sure: the Astros know they need to win the World Series to justify $22 million spent on a pitcher who will only pitch for half a season. Right now, the team stands in third place, 6.5 games back of the first place Cardinals.