Roger Clemens was named the winner of the 2001 AL Cy Young award. The Rocket received 21 of 28 first place votes, and was the only pitcher to appear on all 28 ballots. There's a nice article on the award at mlb.com.

This is the Rocket's sixth Cy Young award. No other pitcher has won it more than four times.

The Cy Young award honors another brilliant season by the Rocket: He finished 2nd in the league in wins, 3rd in strikeouts, ninth in ERA, and 12th in innings pitched. The Yankees were 27-5 in games in which Clemens pitched. The season also brought several important historical milestones for Clemens, as he moved into third place on the all-time strikeout list and became the first pitcher to ever start a season 20-1.

Pitching in the decisive game seven of the World Series, the Rocket had a brilliant start, but ended up with a no-decision in the Yankees' loss to the Diamondback on 11/4.Clemens had outstanding stuff all night, hitting 97mph with his fastball and striking out ten. He was lifted with one out in the seventh and the score tied 1-1 in a game the Yankees ultimately lost in the bottom of the ninth.

The Rocket's final line was one run on seven hits with one walk and ten strikeouts over six and a third innings.

Clemens' 10 K's match his season high and tied the record for strikeouts in a World Series game seven.

With his team in a must-win game, the Rocket delivered a brilliant performance, carrying his team to a 2-1 win over the Diamondback on 10/30.Clemens was dominant, striking out nine and holding Arizona to one run on just three hits over seven innings. This marked the first time Clemens had pitched seven innings since September 5th.

The Rocket improved his career World Series record to 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA.

The Rocket showed signs that his hamstring injury is improving as he turned in his best start of the post-season in the Yankees' win over the Mariners on 10/21.Clemens had a terrific fastball and splitter, striking out seven in his five innings of work. He struggled occasionally with his control, walking four, but gave up just one hit as he held the Mariners scoreless. He left the game after five innings with the score tied 0-0.

The Rocket turned in a gutty performance but did not figure in the decision in the Yankees series-clinching win over the A's on 10/15. Clemens, dealing with the strained hamstring he suffered in his last start, had good stuff--his fastball hiting 97 mph--but seemed to have increasing trouble with his control. He was lifed in the fifth after walking the number nine hitter and later hitting a batter, putting runners on first and second with one out. Stanton came in and gave up an RBI single which was charged to Clemens, but got out of the inning with a 4-3 lead.

The Rocket's final line was three runs on five hits over four and a third innings with five strikeouts and one walk.

The Rocket left the Yankees' playoff opener after just four plus innings with a tight hamstring, and ended up with a loss to the A's on 10/10. Clemens labored through his start, walking three and needing 82 pitches to get through his four plus innings of work. He opened the fifth inning with a walk to Jason Giambi and was lifted afterwards, trailing 2-0.

The Rocket's final line was two runs on four hits and three walks with just one strikeout over four innings.

The Rocket could have all but locked up his sixth Cy Young with a strong performance and a win in his final start of the season. He didn't get either as he fell to 20-3 on the year with a loss to the Devil Rays on 10/5. Clemens had a disastrous second inning in which he gave up four runs, blowing the 3-0 lead he had been given. He surrendered another unearned run in the fourth and left after five trailing 5-3.The Yankees had a chance in the seventh to get the Rocket off the hook when Soriano doubled with one out and the Yankees trailing 5-4. However he was inexplicably picked off of second base.

Clemens' final line was five runs (four earned) on five hits over five innings with three walks and five strikeouts.

I'll post more on Clemens 2001 season after the remainder of the regular season games conclude.

The Rocket labored through six effective innings but ended up with a no-decision against the Orioles on 9/30. Clemens struggled with his control, walking five and needing 124 pitches to get through his six innings. However he held the Orioles to just one run on four hits, leaving with the game tied 1-1. The Rocket struck out seven.

The Rocket's sixteen game winning streak came to an end as he lost to the Devil Rays on 9/25. Clemens gave up two runs in the first, then settled down, holding the Devil Rays scoreless until the seventh when he gave up two more runs. The Yankees offense was shutout, hanging a loss on the Rocket's record for just the second time this year.

Clemens final line was four runs on eight hits over six and two-thirds innings with two walks and nine strikeouts.

With his sixth strikeout the Rocket moved past Bert Blyleven into third place all-time list.

The Rocket set a new mark for the best start in history as he improved to 20-1 with a win over the White Sox on 9/19. Clemens gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks over six and a third innings while striking out one.

The Rocket became the oldest AL pitcher to win 20 games since Earl Wynn in 1959.

Clemens was the only pitcher to have five 20 win seasons since the advent of he five man rotation. This become his sixth 20-win season.

This marked the 16th straight win for the Rocket. He is now the only pitcher in major league history to have two winning streaks of 16 games or more.

The Rocket matched the best start in major league history, improving to 19-1 with a win over the Blue Jays on 9/5. Clemens went seven and a third innings, giving up two runs on six hits while walking four and striking out five. The Rocket shutout the Blue Jays through seven innings before giving up a walk and a home run with one out in the eighth.

Clemens joins Rube Marquard of the 1912 Giants as the only pitchers to start a season 19-1.

This was the 15th consecutive victory for the Rocket, a new Yankee record.

The Rocket pitched a brilliant game, a 10-strikeout, no walk performance in a win over his old team the Boston Red Sox. Clemens was dominant, hitting 95-97mph with his fastball all night and throwing 70 of his 104 pitches for strikes, as he was locked in a pitcher's duel all night. He struck out the side in the seventh, and left trailing 1-0. However the Yankees scored two in the top of the eighth and the bullpen saved the Rocket's victory, improving his record to 18-1. The Rocket's final line was one run on seven hits with ten strikeouts and no walks over seven innings.

This was the 98th double digit strikeout game of Clemens' career, putting him in third place on the all-time list behind Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson.

The Rocket became the first pitcher in American League history to start 17-1 with a win over the Angels on 8/25. Clemens labored throughout the day, needing 110 pitches for the first six innings and striking out just four, but battled his way through, holding the Angels to two runs over seven innings. He gave up seven hits and walked two.

The Rocket is just the fourth pitcher in Major League history to start 17-1.

The Rocket had one of his poorer starts of the season but his winning streak remained intact as he ended up with a no-decision against the Rangers on 8/20. Clemens gave up five runs on nine hits over six innings while walking one and striking out a season low two.

The Rocket left trailing 5-4 but the Yankees offense came through and scored five in the eighth to take the lead and keep Clemens 12-game winning streak alive.

The Rocket became the AL's first 16-game winner his with a victory over the Devil Rays on 8/15. Clemens gave up two runs on just four hits over seven innings while striking out eight and walking three. The win was the Rocket's 12th straight.

This is the first time since 1969 that a pitcher has started the season 16-1.

The Rocket had another good start but didn't receive any run support and ended up with a no-decision against the Devil Rays on 8/9. Clemens gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits over seven and two-thirds innings. He struck out eight and walked three.

The Rocket left the game trailing 3-1, but the Yankees rallied in the top of the ninth to take the lead.

Pitching on his 39th birthday, the Rocket showed no ill effects from the cramping in his groin that he felt in his last start and appeared poised to collect his 16th win of the year before the bullpen blew the save, leaving Clemens with a no-decision against the Angels on 8/4. Clemens pitched a great game, leaving with one out in the seventh having given up just one run on a broken-bat single in the first, and his team leading 3-1. However Stanton gave up an RBI double in the seventh and Rivera gave up a two-run homer in the eighth, losing the lead.

The Rocket's final line was two earned runs on five hits over six and a third innings with one walk and seven Ks.

The Rocket was on his way to having his best start of the year before a cramp in his right groin ended his day early. Nevertheless he still picked up his 15th win of the year with a victory over the Blue Jays on 7/28. Clemens was dominant, giving up just one hit and striking out eight, however he felt a cramp after getting the second out of the sixth inning and was taken out for precautionary reasons. The Rocket's final line was no runs on one hit and three walks over five and two-thirds innings with eight strikeouts.

The Rocket moved into fourth place on the all-time strikeout list in route to picking up his 14th win of the year with a victory over the Blue Jays on 7/23. Clemens gave up two runs on seven hits over six and two thirds innings while walking one and striking out eight.

The Rocket's sixth strikeout of the day gave him 3,641 for his career, moving him past Tom Seaver into fourth place on the all-time list. This was the 274th victory of Clemens' career, putting him alone in 27th place all-time.

The Rocket made an emergency start on three days rest and came through for his team, picking up a win over the Tigers on 7/18. When the flu kept the Yankees' scheduled starter from pitching, Clemens volunteered to go on three days rest, something he hasn't done in a regular season game since 1993. He struggled, giving up five runs on nine hits over five and two-thirds innings, but it was enough to earn him his AL-best 13th victory. The Rocket walked three and struck out three.

The New York Times has a nice article about the Rocket's effort on three days rest.

The Rocket pitched solidly but ended up with a no-decision against the Marlins on 7/14. Clemens gave up three runs on sevend hits and one walk over six innings while striking out six. Playing in a National League park, Clemens also hit, going 0 for 2 and the plate with two strikeouts.

Roger Clemens started the 2001 All-Star game for the American League. He pitched brilliantly, throwing two perfect innings. At 38 years old the Rocket is the oldest pitcher to start for the AL in an All-Star game, and the fifteen years between his All-Star starts (his last start was in 1986) is an all-time record.

The Rocket was named to the All-Star team and also wrapped up a stellar first half by picking up his AL-best 12th win of the year with a victory over the Orioles on 7/4. Clemens gave up two runs on five hits and one walk over six and two-thirds innings. He struck out six.

Clemens outstanding first half has him ranked first in the league in wins, second in strikeouts, tied for ninth in ERA, and third in innings pitched.

The Rocket became the AL's first 11 game winner and won his seventh straight start with a victory over the Devil Rays on 6/29. Clemens pitched six and two-thirds innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits. He struck out eight and did not walk a batter.

The win capped a spectacular month of June for the Rocket in which he was 6-0 in six starts with a 2.40 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 41.2 innings.

The win was the 271st of the Rocket's career, moving him into sole-possession of 28th place on the all-time list.

The Rocket picked up his league-leading tenth victory of the season with a win over the Devil Rays on 6/23. Clemens went six plus innings, giving up just one run on five hits while walking three and striking out eight.

The Rocket became the AL's first nine game winner with another strong performance and a victory over the Tigers on 6/18. Clemens gave up just one earned run over seven innings. He gave up seven hits and three walks while striking out seven.

The win gave the Rocket 269 for his career, moving him past Jim Palmer into sole possession of 29th place on the all-time list.

The Rocket overcame a shaky start to pitch well and win his AL-leading eighth game of the year with a victory over the Expos on 6/13. Clemens gave up three runs in the first two innings, but settled down after that, shutting out the Expos and limiting them to just two hits over the next six innings. His final line was three runs on seven hits over eight innings with six Ks and one walk. June 7, 2001

The Rocket struggled again, but got good run support and battled his way to a win over the Indians on 6/2. Clemens gave up three home runs for the second straight game and yielded nine hits in all over his six innings, but limited the Indians to four runs. He struck out six and walked three.

The Rocket added a little more history to his resume and picked up his fifth win of the year with a victory over the Indians on 5/26. Clemens wasn't at his best, as he gave up three home runs and five runs total over seven innings. All of that was incidental to the eight K's Roger picked up, moving him past Don Sutton into fifth place on the all-time strikeout list.

The Rocket's final line was five runs on eight hits over seven innings with eights stikeouts and two walks.

The Rocket picked up his first loss of the year when he couldn't overcome some uncharacteristic wildness and lost to the Mariners on 5/20. Clemens walked the bases loaded with one out in the first before giving up a three run double. A wild pitch brought in another run in the second. The Rocket settled down after that and finished with a line of six run (five earned) on six hits over seven innings. He had a season high five walks and tied a season high with nine strikeouts.

The Rocket pitched a strong game but didn't get much run support and ended up with a no-decision against the A's on 5/15. Clemens gave up two runs in the first, but settled in after that, holding the A's scoreless over the next six innings. He gave up seven hits and walked two while striking out a season high nine in his seven innings of work.

The Rocket had his best start of the year and improved to 4-0 on the season with a win against the Twins on 5/9. Clemens was dominant, shutting out the opposition over eight innings while giving up just four hits. He had a season-high eight strikeouts and just one walk.

The Rocket picked up his third win of the year as he moved past Gaylord Perry into sixth place on the all-time strikeout list during his win against the A's on 4/29. Clemens pitched an oustanding game, giving up just one run on four hits while striking out five and walking two over seven and a third innings.

The Rocket made history when he struck out the first two batters of the seventh. That gave him 3,535 Ks for his career, pushing him past Perry. He needs 40 more to move past Don Sutton into fifth place.

The Rocket pitched a decent game but marginal defense and a bad call cost him as he ended up with a no-decision against the Mariners on 4/24. Clemens gave up five runs (four earned) on five hits over seven innings, with six Ks and two walks.

He led 5-3 entering the seventh, but a throwing error put a man on first, which was followed by a slap shot to left field that carromed in and out of Knoblauch's glove and near the top of the wall and was erroneously ruled a home run by the umpire.

The Rocket pitched solidly but fell victim to one big inning as he ended up with a no-decision against the Blue Jays on 4/19. Clemens' final line was five run on eight hits over six innings with five strikeouts and three walks. However all five runs scored with two outs in the third after an infield single loaded the bases.

After four starts this year the Rocket has given up 15 runs over 27 innings. However that stat doesn't do justice to how well Clemens has pitched, as 10 of those 15 runs have come across in two innings, both of which included infield hits that should have ended the inning.

The Rocket had another solid outing, but in a matchup against Pedro Martinez ended up with a no-decision against the Red Sox on 4/14. Clemens battled through six innings, giving up two runs on five hits while walking four and striking out five. A defensive lapse allowed an infield single in the fourth, which led to the two runs scoring with two outs. The Rocket left trailing 2-0, but the Yankees scored two runs of their own in the top of the seventh to tie the score.

The Rocket improved to 2-0 on the year with a win over the Blue Jays on 4/8. Clemens pitched well with the exception of the fourth inning where he walked the leadoff batter and then fell victim to an infield single, which put him in a jam he couldn't get out of until five runs had scored. Those were the only runs the Rocket would give up, however, as he ended up with a line of five runs on eight hits over six and two-thirds innings, with five Ks and two walks.

The Rocket opened the 2001 baseball season in historic fashion. Of lesser importance was Clemens' solid performance in his win over the Royals on 4/2. Roger pitched well all day, going eight and a third innings, giving up three runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking just one.

The real story was Roger's fifth strikout of the day, which gave him 3509 for his career and moved him past the legendary Walter Johnson into first place in American League history. By any measure, that is a stunning achievement.

The Rocket's 3509 Ks also put him into seventh place all-time.