Tag: texas longhorns baseball recruiting

Is It Time For Former Longhorn Roger Clemens To Get HOF Nod?

Roger Clemens missed out on the Hall of Fame class in 2020 but is it time that the former Texas Longhorn get in?

Just a week ago the newest class for the National Baseball Hall of Fame was announced. The class of 2020 includes former New York Yankee Derek Jeter and former Colorado Rockies, Montreal Expos and St Louis Cardinals first baseman and right fielder Larry Walker. One name that just missed the class was former teammate of Jeter and former Texas Longhorns great Roger Clemens.

Clemens finished fourth among the candidates receiving 60.7% of the votes, the required threshold is 75%. Each year since 2014, Clemens has been gaining votes that started with just 35.4% and continued to grow until this past year at 60.7%. Under voting rules, Clemens has until 2022 to receive the necessary number for induction or he comes off the ballot for writers. It then moves to a committee that would meet in 2024.

The controversy surrounding Roger Clemens induction stems around the BALCO investigation that stated that Clemens received performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) from trainer Brian McNamee. Baseball purist believe that Clemens doesn’t deserve to be in the Hall of Fame based on this investigation. Clemens never admitted to taking steroids and had he admitted one would think the case against him in the Hall of Fame wouldn’t be as strong.

Given the era that Clemens played in, it seemed to be common place for players using steroids. While it is no excuse, given how Clemens performed before the accusations of PEDs, he deserves his opportunity to shine and be inducted. For the former Longhorn, 2021 just might be his best chance given how voters have been delivering their votes in recent years. It is hard to deny what Clemens accomplished on the mound and for that it is time to make it right.

Roger Clemens Accomplishments

  • 11-time All-Star
  • Two-Time World Series Champion
  • Seven-time Cy Young Award Winner (Most All-Time)
  • American League Most Valuable Player (1986)
  • Two-Time Triple Crown Winner (ERA, Wins and Strikeouts)
  • Led Major League Baseball in wins (four times)
  • Led Major League Baseball in ERA (seven times)
  • Led American League in strikeouts (five times)
  • MLB All-Century Team
  • Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
  • Career Wins-354 (9th All-Time)
  • 4,672 strikeouts (3rd All-Time)

 

Former Longhorn Brandon Workman Looks To Lock Down Closer Role

Former Texas Longhorn and current Boston Red Sox pitcher Brandon Workman is looking to lockdown the closer role in 2020.

Another former Texas Longhorns pitcher is looking for a big year in 2020. For the Boston Red Sox they could have their next closer in Brandon Workman. For Workman his journey started in Bowie, Texas where he lettered all four years in high schooling. During those four years he earned All-State honors in two of the four years and Silver Slugger All-American recognition. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies but did not signed and joined the baseball team at the University of Texas in 2008.

After three seasons with the Longhorns, Workman was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 2010 MLB Draft with the 57th overall selection. In 2013 he would be promoted from Double A Portland to Triple A Pawtucket and eventually to the Majors in July. He would be part of the bullpen that propelled the team to a World Series Championship. He didn’t surrender a single run in seven postseason appearances.

Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

His sophomore season in the majors wasn’t memorable as Workman went 1-10 with 5.17 ERA in 19 games. In 2015 he would require Tommy John surgery costing him the entire season. In 2016 Workman spent the year trying to get back to the big leagues. He would return to Boston in 2017 appearing in 33 games with a 3.18 ERA which was a career best at the time.

The former Longhorns pitcher would be up and down between Boston and minor league affiliate Pawtucket in 2018, although he recorded a 6-1 record and 3.27 ERA in 43 games. He was apart of the Red Sox ALDS and ALCS roster before being replaced for the World Series.

Last season saw Workman finish the season as the closer where he closed out 16 games for Boston. The team wouldn’t qualify for the postseason after finished third in the AL East division. During the season Workman posted a 10-1 record with a career best 1.81 ERA. Heading into Spring Training, Workman is looking to be the closer but he has some competition in Boston. Given how he finished out the season Brandon Workman should get the opportunity to be the man to lockdown the ninth inning in 2020.

Texas Baseball Team To Retire The Number of Longhorns Legend

The Texas Longhorns will be retiring the number 25. That number was worn by Austin native and Longhorns legend Huston Street.

The Texas Longhorns are looking to return to the College World Series in hopes of capturing the elusive World Championship that has evaded their grasp since 2002. To do so, the Longhorns brought back the man that helped lead them to Omaha during that season, former Major League Baseball pitch Huston Street. He was the MVP of that championship run.

Huston Street’s number 25 jersey will be retired. A huge honor bestowed upon a legend in the streets of Austin. During his time with the Longhorns, Street finished with 41 career saves. He is regarded as one of the best college closers of all time. In 2010, Street was named to the NCAA College World Series Legends Team.

Street finished his professional career with 324 saves that spanned 13 seasons. His career record finish 42-34 with 665 strikeouts. Street joined the staff this past offseason. He was also named AL Rookie of The Year in 2005 while a member of the Oakland A’s. The two-time All-Star finished with a 2.95 earned run average (ERA).

What a way to welcome back Streeter.

Texas’ baseball recruiting class ranked No. 1

According to baseballamerica.com, Texas baseball has the No. 1 ranked class in the nation. The best player in the class is RHP Jared Kelley.

If you thought Texas was doing well in football recruiting, just wait until you see what they have been doing in baseball. According to baseballamerica.com, Texas has the No. 1 ranked class in the nation.

The best player in the class is right-handed pitcher Jared Kelley. He is from Refugio, Texas and attends Refugio High School. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches, his fastball reaches the mid-90s and likes to mix in his breaking ball. He is one of the best prospects in the entire recruiting class and has been committed to the Longhorns since Jan. 11.

Being the top-rated class, Texas is the only Big 12 school in the top five. Oklahoma comes in at the top 10, ranking at No. 7. TCU is the only other Big 12 team listed at No. 12.  The SEC and Pac 12 dominate the top 15, as 10 of the top 15 teams are from those two conferences.

The Longhorn baseball team will begin on Valentine’s Day in Feb 2020, as they travel to Rice for their opening series.

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