In 2006, future Hall of Fame pitcher Roger Clemens is terminating yet another retirement and getting back on the Gravy Train wth the Houston Astros. On his way back to the major leagues, Clemens is getting in shape by working up the chain of Houston Astros minor league affiliates.
His first start was in Class A. Then on June 11 he made a start for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks and drew the largest crowd in the brief two year history of Whataburger Field. The fact that he drew so many people at the stadium marks a real step forward for Corpus Christi, Texas.
In times past, people from outside of Corpus Christi have been marginalized, ignored or rejected locally. “Stars” from out of town seemingly represent a threat to the way things have been historically done in this lovely provincial enclave on the Gulf of Mexico.
The reception that sports superstar Roger Clemens received and the afterglow of the event that Corpus Christi is still basking in may mark a turn for the better. Maybe people with talent and fresh ideas will be accepted into the community, or at least tolerated. Maybe the good old boy taxocracy that runs this community will begin to look outside of its inbred and intellectually bankrupt membership for inspiration. Some of the local spokespeople who most often expressed their fears of the outside world have been the most enthusiastic commentators on Clemens’ visit.
The adoring reception and thunderous ovation that Roger Clemens received in the AA town of Corpus Christi may mean that it is finally ready to accept major leaguers into its midst. Clemens himself is now moving onto a larger stage as he prepares to hopefully assist the Houston Astros in a major league pennant race. Maybe his rehab stint and the resulting admiration for talent and competition will help Corpus Christi realize more of its potential.
Talent from outside the Corpus Christi city limits is not to be feared. Competition is a good thing. Once these concepts are embraced, they can even be used to increase the tax base.
Thanks Rocket.
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