In mid-November 1986, Roger Clemens was voted both AL MVP and Cy Young winners. But the Sox celebrations of Rocket’s achievements had a down side. Under 1986 rules, Roger was not eligible for arbitration, though I’m pretty sure he would be today. GM Lou Gorman had already gone on record that no Sox pitchers would be signed for more than two years. Clemens and his agents, the Hendricks brothers, wanted four.
A Will McDonough article outlined the Sox dilemma: “If the Red Sox were to give Roger Clemens a bundle right away, every other Boston player going to arbitration would use the new Clemens contract as a springboard to get more. Therefore, the Red Sox may have to wait until the last few days of spring training to make a deal that would keep Clemens happy. The rule of thumb in arbitration cases in recent years is that a handful go right to the gun before decisions are made. It is not the best way to do business, but the rules do not leave many choices.
McDonough was prophetic. Clemens and his men would wait until the spring of 87, after the arbitrators had made their decisions on other players, to even begin the negotiating process. As many fans remember, the first meeting was a disaster. Gorman proposed 500 grand a year plus a number of incentives. Randy Hendricks’ reaction was not surprising: “If you think Roger will accept that offer, you’re sadly mistaken. I’ll tell you one thing, Gorman. I’ll be in your camp tomorrow morning to hold a press conference and expose your ridiculous offer, and Clemens is walking out.” So began the saga of Clemens and his agents.
Incidentally, I want to correct a mistake I made in the Lou Gorman article. Jeff Bagwell was drafted in the fourth round by the Sox in 1989.
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