Mike Piazza recently released his new book entitled “Long Shot,” and it has already produced an incredibly memorable quote about Roger Clemens. In the book, Piazza said that he took karate lessons to prepare for a fight with Clemens during the well-documented feud that took place between the two former All-Stars back at the turn of the century.
Clemens visited Houston Astros spring training over the weekend, and naturally he was asked about the excerpt from the book. The Rocket didn’t really take the bait, but he did throw a light-hearted jab at his nemesis.
“I wasn’t aware of that,” Clemens said, via The Houston Chronicle. “I didn’t see it. I just got a couple of texts that weren’t too pleasant about it. But, yeah, that’s great if he’s taking karate to protect himself. I don’t know.
“The only thing I remember is, didn’t he chase — he needs to go get with Jesse Owens or somebody on his speed, I think. He chased some dude around the spring training site one time, didn’t he, or something?”
As Hardball Talk pointed out, Clemens is referring to the time Guillermo Mota hit Piazza with a pitch in a spring training game and Piazza tried to fight him, but he couldn’t catch up to him. Clemens then made it clear that he has no hard feelings toward Piazza.
“He’d have to stand in line,” Clemens said of Piazza wanting to fight him. “I think there was about three guys on the Yankees that wanted a piece of me more than (he) did. He’d probably have to get in line. But in all seriousness, he’s a — I’ve gotten to know him at golf events. Todd Zeile, another good guy, and Robin Ventura — I’ve been friends with him. Some of these guys, once you get to know some of them, they’re fine. But, like I said, there was no intent there.
Yeah, I highly doubt these two guys like each other. If you don’t believe me, just as Piazza’s wife — she’ll give you an honest assessment.
