BOSTON – Roger Clemens’ toughest out today won’t be Manny Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra or David Ortiz.
His toughest out will be batting seventh in the Red Sox lineup.
In 35 career at-bats against Clemens, Trot Nixon has crafted a rep as the Rocket Nemesis. The Red Sox right fielder has ripped 13 hits, good for a .371 average, crushing three homers, driving in 10 runs and drawing seven walks. Nixon’s on-base percentage against Clemens is .476. His slugging? At .800.
That’s Barry Bonds territory, folks, and Nixon’s done it against one of the toughest pitchers of his generation.
So what’s the key to Nixon’s approach against Clemens?
“Make him throw strikes,” Nixon said. “I think that’s the key for every pitcher. Some pitchers like to go outside the zone to be successful. They get you swinging at bad balls. If you can eliminate that, you put yourself in a good position to get some hits.”
Several observers have said an important part of a player’s success against Clemens is the ability to lay off his nasty splitter and wait on the fastball. Nixon said that plays a role, but cautioned that’s not as easy as it sounds.
“There are also times when he’ll throw a split for a strike,” Nixon said. “Just get the ball up in the zone. Not too high up in the zone; you don’t want to be swinging at balls chest-high. He’ll just blow it by you. Just get it up in the zone, get a hitter’s count and maybe you’ll have some success.”
Truth is, that’s about all the specifics Nixon can, or is willing to offer. The Red Sox slugger is a modest sort, particularly when it comes to talking about his success vs. somebody else. It’s clear he has a great deal of respect for Clemens, whom he called “the best pitcher I’ve ever faced in my entire career.”
While Nixon admitted he gets up for the challenge of facing a future Hall of Famer like Clemens, he said he believes his success against him is largely coincidental, reasoning, “I don’t know how it works out that way.”
Clemens acknowledged Nixon has had his number, one of those rare hitters who’s been able to dial it.
“I think he’s hit some balls that were for power that I’ve left in the middle,” Clemens said. “Over my career, I’m sure there’s guys that have numbers like that. When you play as long as I have, that’s bound to happen.”
Clemens said he’d “pay a little more attention” to Nixon in certain spots today. He might also have to pay attention to Todd Walker, who’s also had good success against him, hitting .393 (11-for-28).
“If he’s throwing his split for a strike, he’s very difficult because the arm action is like a 95-mph fastball and it’s a split,” Walker said. “When he’s throwing it for a strike, he’s effective. When he doesn’t, then he’s not very effective.”