It was 3 years ago that the Red Sox brought back Bill Buckner for a triumphant return to Fenway Park to toss out the first pitch of the 2008 home opener. Next Friday, for the first pitch of the 2011 home opener, the Sox will make an even bigger splash (for better or worse) by bringing back an even more controversial figure from the team that won the American League pennant 25 years ago: Roger Clemens. The Rocket will be returning on the silver anniversary of his greatest season in Boston, 1986. That year, aside from helping the Sox come within an out of winning the World Series, Clemens won the A.L. MVP, the Cy Young Award, was All Star Game MVP and became the first pitcher in history to strikeout 20 in a game. He finished that season an amazing 24-4 with a 2.48 ERA and 238 strikeouts, falling just 7 strikeouts shy of winning pitching's Triple Crown. Boston's brain trust is wisely bringing back other members of the 1986 American League champions to try an ensure a positive crowd reaction, regardless of any hostility aimed at Clemens. Among the other '86 Sox scheduled to take the field alongside Clemens are Jim Rice, Dwight Evans, Bruce Hurst and the Rocket's good friends Al Nipper and Spike Owen. Also, Clemens' longtime catcher in Boston, Rich Gedman, is rumored to be on the receiving end of his opening day toss. Although it may seem odd for the Sox to bring back somebody who has fallen so far from grace amidst steroid allegations in recent years, this may give both Red Sox Nation, and Clemens himself, a chance to remember the franchise's former ace when he was just a 23-year old trying to make his mark as a major league pitcher. Fittingly, the Red Sox will be hosting the Yankees next Friday, the team for whom Clemens went on to win 2 World Series titles and the 2001 Cy Young Award (his 6th of 7) during his post-Boston career. It has now been 15 years since Clemens last put on his Red Sox #21 jersey, yet he still remains the franchise all-time leader in wins (192), strikeouts (2,590) and shutouts (38). Although the Red Sox seem to enjoy keeping the identity of the person throwing out the opening day first pitch a secret as long as possible most years, the guess here is that this was purposely leaked to gauge the fan reaction in advance, just in case Clemens wanted to opt out at the last minute. So what type of reaction will await the man who went from Boston icon to controversial figure, first by donning pinstripes and then by becoming engrossed in a steroids scandal, when he takes the mound at Fenway next Friday? Stay tuned.

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