The Astros declined to offer salary arbitration to The Rocket, citing Clemens' uncertainty over whether he wants to play in 2006 or retire. This move means Houston cannot resign him until May 1st.

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark has a nice column outlining the situation.

The Rocket further strained his left hamstring and had to leave his start in Game 1 of the World Series after just two innings.

Clemens line was three runs on four hits over two innings with no walks and one strikeout. The score was tied 3-3 when he left the game so he received a no-decision. The Rocket's current status is day to day.

The Rocket turned in a gutsy performance to lead his team to a 2-1 series lead with a win over the Cardinals on 10/15.

Clemens breezed through the first few innings but he appeared to be battling with his control as the game went along. However he kept the formidable Cardinals' offense in check. With the score tied 2-2 after the top of the sixth the Astros pulled ahead in the bottom of the sixth and Clemens was lifted for a pinch hitter.

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

The Rocket unexpectedly came out of the bullpen in what turned out to be the longest playoff game in MLB history, pitching three scoreless innings and ending up with a win over the Braves in game 4 of the NLDS, clinching a series win.

Clemens had made just one relief appearance in his 22 year career, a two inning appearance in 1984. However after Houston had used it's entire bullpen to complete 15 innings they had no one else to go to except the Rocket. He game into the game as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the 15th, successfully sacrificing a runner over to second.

The Rocket then took the mound in the 16th and pitched three scoreless innings, giving up just one hit, no walks and striking out four. He became the pitcher of record when Chris Burke hit a walk on home run in the bottom of the 18th.

The Rocket struggled with his control and lost to the Braves in Game 2 of the NLDS.

Clemens retired the side in order in the first but gave up his 1-0 lead in the second when he gave up a three run homer with two outs and the pitcher on deck.

The Rocket's final line was five runs on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts.

The Rocket pitched a terrific game and ensured his team of at least a tie in the NL Wild Card race with a win over the Cubs on 10/1.

As has been the case all year, Clemens received little run support and was locked in a tense pitcher's duel all day long. He held the Cubs to just one run over seven innings and left with a 2-1 lead that the Astros were able to maintain.

This marked the 20th time in his 32 starts that Clemens gave up one earned run or less. To his team's discredit he finished the season just 11-1 in those starts.

Clemens' final line was one run on six hits over seven innings with three walks and five strikeouts.

The Rocket finished the season with a 1.87 ERA, easily the best in the major leagues--0.52 runs lower than the second best ERA (Andy Pettite). Compared to the "leading" Cy Young candidates Clemens' ERA is 0.72 runs better than Dontrelle Willis and 0.96 runs better than Chris Carpenter.

The Rocket missed his start against the Cubs on 9/24, needing to rest the sort left hamstring that has hampered him for the last three starts.

The Rocket battled through a tough start but didn't get any run support and ended up giving up some runs late in his start that ensured a loss to the Pirates on 9/19.

The Rocket clearly didn't have his best stuff, giving up a season high eleven hits. He managed to keep the Pirates offense at bay through most of his start, holding onto a 2-0 deficit through five innings before giving up four runs during the sixth.

The Astros offense was typically pitiful, getting shutout by a rookie starter who entered the game with an ERA over six and a half. They were shutout for the ninth time in Clemens' 31 starts.

The Rocket's final line was six runs (four earned) on eleven hits over five and two-thirds innings with one walk and five strikeouts.

The Rocket turned in one of the most courageous performances of his career in a win over the Marlins on 9/14.

Despite the loss of his mother Bess, who had passed away in the early morning, Clemens took the mound for his scheduled start and dedicated his performance to his mother. He turned in another tremendous performance, holding the Marlins to just one run and even driving in the winning run after battling back from an 0-2 count to get a bases loaded walk.

The Astros gave Clemens terrific support, scoring ten runs. Chad Qualls provided outstanding relief, inheriting two runners from Clemens in the seventh and immediatley getting an inning ending double play.

The Rocket's final line was one run on five hits over six and a third innings with two walks and four strikeouts.

The Rocket labored with his hamstring injury and had his worst start of the year in a loss to the Brewers on 9/9.

Although Clemens would not acknowledge the injury's effect on his performance he was clearly not able to pitch as he has been all year: He gave up a season high five runs and five walks, needing 82 pitches to go just three innings. The lone bright spot was a double he hit in his first and only at bat.

The Rocket's final line was five runs on five hits over three innings with five walks and two strikeouts.

The Rocket had to leave his start early after injuring his left hamstring and ended up with a no-decision against the Cardinals on 9/3.

Clemens injured the leg while trying to lay down a bunt in the second, awkwardly falling to one knee while trying to make contact with a curveball. He pitched another three innings but was lifted in the bottom of the fifth for a pinch hitter.

The Rocket left the game trailing 2-1 with those two runs scoring in an extremely unlucky fouth inning for Clemens: After Pujols reached on a near-check swing ground ball up the middle that trickled into the outfield, the first baseman bobbled a potential double play ball and was only to get the runner at first. A walk put runners at first and second and they advanced to second and third on what was ruled a past ball when Ausmus lost track of a ball that was never more than two feet away from him. One run then scored when the third baseman made a throwing error on a weakly hit ground ball that he tried to throw home. The second run scored on an even more weakly hit ground ball to third that went for an infield hit.

The Rocket's final line was two runs on four hits over five innings with two walks and two strikeouts. He is currently listed as day-to-day.

The Rocket threw another gem but the Astros again failed to score a single run and he ended up with a no-decision against the Dodgers on 8/28.

Clemens was dominant, giving up just two hits over six shutout innings. Remarkably this was the 11th time in 27 starts that he has held the opposition without and earned run.

Unfortunately the Astros were shutout for third time in Clemens' last four games and the eighth time in his 27 starts.

The Rocket's final line was no runs on two hits over six innings with two walks and five strikeouts.

The Rocket was again magnificent but took a hard luck loss to the Padres on 8/23.

Clemens gave up a run on two hits in the opening frame but was nearly flawless after that, retiring 17 straight batters before giving up a solo homer in the seventh. He was efficient, needing just 84 pitches to complete eight innings in throwing his first complete game as an Astro.

The Astros, however, were shutout for the seventh time this year in The Rocket's 26 starts.

Clemens' final line was two runs on five hits over eight innings with one walk and seven strikeouts.

The Rocket cruised through most of his start but had his worst inning of the season late in the game and ended up with a loss to the Brewers on 8/18.

Clemens appeared to be in control of the game, giving up just a a bloop hit through the first five innings. He gave up a solo home run in the sixth and then ran into trouble in the seventh he couldn't get out of: He appeared to labor a bit with what he described as a twinge in his hip and he ended up giving up two walks, a single and two doubles before being lifted with one out.

The Astros of course did not provide any significant run support and he ended up losing 5-2.

The Rocket's final line was a season high five runs on five hits over six and a third innings with two walks and seven strikeouts.

The Rocket pitched one of his finest games of the year but received no run support and ended up with a no-decision against the Pirates on 8/13.

Clemens had a nearly flawless start, not allowing a baserunner until the fifth and holding the Pirates to two hits. He needed just 88 pitches to match his season high with eight innings pitched and did not allow a runner to reach second base.

Unfortunately the Astros offense was utterly impotent. They were unable to score a single run against a Pirates starter who entered the game with an ERA of 4.86. The lone offensive bright spot was Clemens himself who accounted for two of the Astros' six hits.

This was the sixth time this year the Astros have been shutout in a Clemens start.

The Rocket's final line was no runs on two hits over eight innings with no walks and nine strikeouts.

The Rocket pitched yet another magnificent game, improving to 11-4 on the year with a win over the Giants on 8/7.

Clemens was locked in another close game, holding onto a 1-1 tie through seven innings. He'd given up one unearned run in the first but otherwise held the Giants in check, needing just 85 pitches to get through seven innings. He appeared to be heading for a tough no-decision when the Astros put together a four run, two-out rally in the eighth after the Rocket had been removed for a pinch hitter.

Clemens' final line was one (unearned) run on six hits over seven innings with two walks and four strikeouts.

The Rocket won his tenth game of the year with another brilliant start and a win over the Diamondbacks on 8/2.

Locked in yet another close game with little run support Clemens dominated the first place Diamondbacks. After making his one mistake of the night, giving up a solo home run in the first inning, he shut the Arizona offense out over the next six innings on just two hits. He had an outstanding four-seam fastball all night, consistently hitting the mid 90s with it.

The Rocket's final line was one run on four hits over seven innings with eight strikeouts and one walk.

The Rocket improved to 9-4 on the year with another strong start and a win against the Phillies on 7/27.

The Rocket was nearly a scratch with cramps in his back before the game but he hung tough in a close game that the Astros ended up winning 3-2. His final line was two runs on six hits over seven innings with two walks and four strikeouts.

The Rocket turned in a magnificent start and improved to 8-4 with a win against the Nationals on 7/22.

Featuring and outstanding, live fastball Clemens dominated the first place Nationals, holding them to just three hits and matching a season high with ten strikeouts.

The Rocket's final line was no runs on three hits over six innings with three walks and ten strikeouts.

The Rocket was sadled with yet another hard luck loss after the Astros were shutout in a defeat to the Cardinals on 7/17.

Clemens was terrific against the dangerous Cardinals offense, holding them to five hits (two of them infield hits) and needing just 90 pitches to complete seven innings.

His defense let him down in the second, allowing a run to score when a line drive to center was misplayed into an RBI double and then allowing two unearned runs to score on a throwing error by the first baseman.

The Rocket's final line was three runs (one earned) on five hits over seven innings with two walks and one strikeout.

The Rocket pitched a perfect sixth inning in the 2005 All-Star game.

The Rocket's final start of the first half was typical of his year thus far: A terrific performance with little run support that led to a no-decision against the Dodgers on 7/8.

Clemens gave up two runs on eight hits over seven innings with one walk and four strikeouts. He left the game trailing 2-1 but the Astros were able to score one in the seventh to take the Rcoket off the hook for a loss and add another in the ninth to pickup a win.

The Rocket picked up his seventh win of the year after another outstanding performance in a victory over the Reds on 7/3.

Clemens pitched seven scoreless innings to drop his major league leading ERA to 1.41. He also picked up two hits and an RBI on the night.

The Rocket's final line was no runs on four hits over seven innings with one walk and four strikeouts.

Roger Clemens was also named to the 2005 All-Star game. this will be the tenth All-Star appearance of The Rocket's career.

The Rocket pitched another spectacular game but was shamefully let down by his bullpen and ended up with a no-decision against the Rockies on 6/28.

Despite seeing his scoreless streak on the road come to an end after a remarkable 35 innings Clemens was masterful, pitching in dangerous Coors' field and holding the Rockies to just one run over seven innings. The highlight of his night came in the sixth when the first two batters reached base with the heart of the Rockies order coming to the plate. The Rocket struck out the side to end the threat and preserve a 5-1 lead.

Clemens appeared assured of a victory when he finished the seventh but three relievers combined on a pathetic collapse in the eighth inning, giving up five runs.

The Rocket's final line as one run on four hits over seven innings with two walks and seven strikeouts.

The Rocket picked up his sixth win of the year with another outstanding performance in a win over the Rockies on 6/22.

Perhaps the key moment in the game came when Clemens escaped a bases loaded, no-out jam in the second, allowing just a single run. He was the victim of poor defense in the third when an unearned run scored after two errors, putting him down 2-0. However for the second straight game his offense provided some solid run support and the Astros ended up winning 6-2.

The Rocket's final line was two runs (one earned) on five hits over seven innings with two walks and four strikeouts.

The Rocket improved to 5-3 on the year after pitching another terrific game and getting strong run support in a win over the Royals on 6/17.

Clemens held Kansas City scoreless over six innings, giving up four hits while walking three and striking out six.

The six shutout innings improved The Rocket's scoreless streak on the road to a remarkable 32 innings this season.

The Rocket pitched another tremendous game but his closer blew the save and he ended up with a no-decision against the Blue Jays on 6/11.

Clemens gave up just one run on three hits over seven innings. His offense squandered several opportunities to break the game open but he left the game leading 3-1 and appeared assured of his fifth victory of the year before Lidge gave up two runs in the ninth. This was the second time this year the bullpen blew the save for Clemens.

The Rocket's final line was one run on three hits over seven innings with four walks and seven Ks.

The Rocket had his worst start of the year but received good run support and good relief from his bullpen as he improved to 4-3 with a win over the Cardinals on 6/5.

Clemens labored through his start, lasting just five plus innings and giving up a season high nine hits. He gave up three runs in a 34 pitch first inning but settled down after that, giving up one run in the second and holding the Cardinals scoreless through the next three. He was lifted after giving up a leadoff single in the sixth.

The Rocket was charged with one more earned run than he should have been after an awful ruling by the Astros' official scorer. In the second what should have been a routine single was misplayed by the right fielder, allowing the runner to advance to third. Inexplicably the hometown scorer ruled this a triple when it clearly should have been a single and a two base error.

The Rocket's final line was four runs on nine hits over five innings with one walk and four stikeouts.

The Rocket turned in another tremendous performance but his team was shutout yet again and he ended up with a loss against the Reds on 5/30.

Clemens made one mistake, giving up a two run home run in the second. He was masterful otherwise, retiring 11 in a row at one point and 16 of the last 17 he faced. He did not appear to show any ill effects from the groin strain that shortened his last start.

The Rocket's final line was two runs on four hits over eight innings with one walk and seven strikeouts.

This wsa the fourth time in Clemens' 11 starts that the Astros have been shutout.

The Rocket pitched five scoreless innings but had to leave with tightness in his groin and after the bullpen could not hold the lead he ended up with a no-decision against the Cubs on 5/24.

Clemens was outstanding, retiring ten straight batters at one point. He said he felt the tightness as early as the third inning but was able to pitch five innings and left with a 2-0 lead. The Rocket described the injury as "more than a mild strain" and his status for his next start is uncertain.

The Rocket's final line was no runs on two hits over five innings with one walk and six strikeouts.

The Rocket pitched a solid game but got no support from his team as he lost to the Diamondbacks on 5/19.

Houston made two errors (one by Clemens) in the first that led to three runs scoring. That was all Arizona would need as the Astros "offense" was able to muster just a single run.

Clemens final line was three runs (two earned) on three hits over six innings with two walks and three Ks.

The Rocket pitched yet another tremendous game and improved to 3-1 on the year with a win over the Giants on 5/14.

Clemens had dominant stuff, striking out a season high ten over just his first five innings. As ususal he was locked in a tight game and in fact trailed 1-0 until the Astros were able to score a run in the fifth and follow it up with three more in the sixth.

The Rocket's final line was one run on five hits over eight innings with ten strikeouts and no walks.

The Rocket became baseball's winningist living pitcher after a magnificent performance in yet another terrific pitcher's duel earned him a win over the Marlins on 5/9.

As has been the case all year long Clemens needed to be near perfect to keep his team in the game. He held onto a 1-0 lead until the seventh when his team picked up one more run in a game they eventually won 2-1.

The Rocket's final line was no runs on four hits over seven innings with three walks and six strikeouts.

The win gave Clemens 330 for his career, moving him past Steve Carlton for sole posession of ninth place on the all-time list.

The Rocket once again outclassed his opponent as well as his teammates in suffering a no-decision against the Pirates on 5/4.

Clemens labored through much of his start giving up a season high five walks. However as he's done every start this year the Rocket kept his opponents in check, giving up just two runs over seven innings.

He left the game with a 3-2 lead but the bullpen promptly blew the lead in the eighth.

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

At the plate Clemens went 1-1, raising his season average to .364.

The Rocket lost his first game of the year after coming up on the short end of a terrific pitcher's duel with Greg Maddux.

In the first game between two 300 games winners in 18 years Clemens and Maddux were both terrific. The Rocket saw his streak of scoreless innings end at 24 when the Cubs scored two runs in the second. Clemens settled down however and got out of a second and third, nobody out jam in the inning without allowing any more runs. The game remained tied at 2-2-until Clemens gave up a solo home run in the seventh.

The Rocket's final line was three runs on seven hits over seven innings with two walks and four strikeouts.

For the first five starts of the year The Rocket has been spectacular, giving up just four runs over 35 innings for a 1.03 ERA. Unfortunately his record stands at just 1-1 as he has received only five runs of support over those five games.

The Rocket pitched another gem but for the third consecutive game got no run support and ended up with a no-decision against the Cardinals on 4/23.

Clemens didn't have his best stuff, walking a season high four on the day, but worked his way out of two bases loaded jams and stranded six runners in scoring position on the day to give his team every opportunity to win.

The Astros unfortunately proved once again as a group they don't deserve to be on the same field as Clemens. They were shutout for the third consecutive Clemens start and allowed Mark Mulder to get through ten innings on just 101 pitches.

The Rocket's final line was no runs on four hits over seven innings with four walks and six strikeouts. His scoreless streak now stands at 23 innings.

The Rocket extended his streak of scoreless innings to 16 but unfortunately his teammates were once again unable to score a single run for him and he ended up with a no-decision against the Braves on 4/18.

The highlight of Clemens night came when he worked out of a second and third, no out jam in the seventh to preserve a scoreless tie in what was a terrific pitcher's duel against Tim Hudson.

The Rocket's final line was no runs on five hits over seven plus innings with one walk and eight strikeouts.

The Rocket pitched superbly but didn't receive any run support and ended up with a no-decision against the Mets on 4/13.

The Rocket dominanted the Mets, giving up just two hits over seven innings while striking out nine and walking just one. Unfortunately the Astros offense wasn't able to produce even a single run and Clemens left the game with the score tied 0-0.

The Rocket got his 2005 season off to a brilliant start with a dominant win over the Reds on 4/8.

Clemens was in control throughout the night, holding the Reds to just one run on five hits with nine strikeouts. He worked out of his only jam of the night in the sixth when with runners at the corners and no one out he battled back from a 3-0 count to strike out Ken Griffey. A great defensive play on an attempted double steal and another strikeout got Clemens out of the frame with a 1-1 tie preserved.

The Rocket then won the game in the bottom of the sixth when he delivered a two-out, two-RBI base hit.

Clemens' final line was one run on five hits over seven innings with no walks and nine strikeouts.

The Rocket may miss his next spring training start after straining his hamstring in his last game. The injury is not thought to be serious.

The Astros announced their starting rotation and The Rocket is scheduled to pitch the third game of the season, at home against the Reds on 3/8.

Return of the Rocket

The Rocket and the Astros reached an agreement on a one year contract, bringing Clemens back to pitch for the 2005 season for $18 million, the highest salary ever paid to a pitcher.

A Houston TV station is reporting that The Rocket and the Houston Astros are close to a deal that would bring Clemens back for the 2005 season as the highest paid pitcher in baseball history.

Earliet this week Clemens asked for a record $22 million in salary arbitration.