Clemens intends to pitch despite mother's death
Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Bess Clemens, the mother of Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens, passed away early Wednesday morning due to complications from emphysema.
According to a release from the Roger Clemens Foundation distributed through the Astros, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner "intends to pitch tonight with a heavy heart in honor of his mother..."
Clemens is 11-7 this season with a major-league best 1.78 ERA. He will attempt to salvage the finale of a four-game series against the Florida Marlins.
Houston dropped the first two games of the series to fall out of the wild card lead and 1 1/2 games behind Florida, which now owns the top spot in the wild card race. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the U.S. C.O.P.D (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Coalition, in care of the Roger Clemens Foundation, 230 Westcott, Houston, Texas, 77007.