Clemens might be pitching in last game

The 43-year-old right-hander can still do the job as well as anyone around.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Roger Clemens might be pitching in his last game tonight. And Team USA could be playing for the final time in the inaugural World Baseball Classic.
Clemens, a winner of 341 games in a magnificent career that began with the Boston Red Sox in 1984, opposes Mexico to complete Round 2 of the WBC at Angel Stadium.
Clemens has said he's leaning toward retirement after the Classic. As evidenced by his 13-8 record and NL-leading 1.87 ERA for Houston last season, the 43-year-old right-hander can still do the job as well as anyone around.
Immediate plans
"I know my immediate plans are I'll go back to Florida," Clemens said earlier this week. "My children are on spring break, so I know immediately what I'm going to do.
"It doesn't matter when I step away. I will miss competing, but I won't be too far from the game."
And if this is Clemens' last start?
"That's something you tell your grandkids about, especially if you do something to help get him a win," Team USA teammate Chipper Jones said Wednesday following a workout at nearby Cal State Fullerton. "Throwing the ball back to him after an out, having him look at me and say, 'Let's go,' it's an experience.
"When Roger tells you, 'Let's get it on,' I think everybody kicks it up a notch. Guys will be huddled around, talking smack in the clubhouse, and once Roger walks in, it's like the parting of the Red Sea. He's got worldwide respect."
Clemens gave up one hit in 41/3 shutout innings against South Africa last Friday, walking none and striking out six. The Americans bring a 1-1 second-round record into the game while Mexico is 0-2.
South Korea (2-0) was scheduled to play Japan (1-1) on Wednesday night, with Team USA's hopes riding on either a South Korea victory or a Japan triumph in a high-scoring game. The Americans faced elimination if Japan won in a nine-inning game and scored seven runs or less because of the complicated tie-breaker system being employed.
The game was not completed in time for today's edition.
"Our destiny is not in our hands," Jones said. "We knew it wasn't going to be easy. We hoped that we wouldn't be in that situation, but we've had two games where we haven't played particularly well.
"If you don't play particularly well with a bulls' eye on your chest, you're going to get beat."
That's what happened last week, when the United States lost to Canada 8-6, but it still advanced to the second round. And that's what occurred Monday night, when the Americans were beaten 7-3 by South Korea -- a setback that could prove fatal.
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