The Day I...Caught Roger Clemens

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As told to Mark Maloney by Jeff Mackor.

Lexington, Kentucky

I'm a catcher, in my fifth year of professional baseball. I know how to handle pitchers, and how to block the plate. But I wasn't prepared for what Jim Pankovits, my manager with Virginia's Salem Avalanche, told me one June night. We had just spanked the Frederick Keys, 9-1, when I was called to his office.

"You're going to Lexington," he said. What?  I was early in my third season with the Astros' High A team. The Lexington Legends are Low A, in Kentucky. Panky's poker face didn't last. After a pause, he said that my "demotion" was for one day.

"You're gonna catch 'The Rocket,'" he said. My heart jumped, and I blurted  "All right – I'm in!" "The Rocket," of course, is Roger Clemens. Arguably the best pitcher ever. Seven-time Cy Young Award winner. Future Hall of Famer. Newly signed by the Astros.

Lexington would be his first "rehab" start, against Ohio's Lake County Captains. I was being called in because Lexington's top catcher was suspended, and the backup was inexperienced. I had warmed-up Clemens between innings a few years ago in Florida, but never in a game. I've caught hard throwers, including Brad Lidge, in spring training. After showering, I threw my gear in the car and took off for a 330-mile trip to Lexington. It was past 10 o'clock, but my adrenaline was pumped. On the highway, I pulled out my cell phone and made some calls. First was my dad, Jeff, in Salem, New Hampshire. That's about 25 miles from Boston, where it all began for "The Rocket."

Clemens and the author confab.

I attended about seven Red Sox openers, admiring Clemens, Mike Greenwell, Wade Boggs and the rest. I wish I could have seen my dad's smile. By the time I rolled into Lexington, about 4:30 a.m., I was exhausted. On game day, the media – 160 strong – were everywhere. I must have done 10 pre-game interviews. Every Clemens pitch would be televised on ESPN, with Baseball Tonight's Jeff Brantley on site. "Just another game," I told myself. After the first group of Legends finished batting practice, I met Clemens. It was 4:30, about 2 ½ hours before game time. He said it had been awhile since he had pitched, and he was ready to step up. I told him that the Captains would be aggressive. Hitters in the minors want to make a name. If someone is laying cookies in there, they will eat 'em up.