MANCHESTER -- Roger Clemens is widely considered the greatest right-handed pitcher of his generation and an all-timer in Major League history. But the man whose fastball long ago earned him the moniker “The Rocket” insists he has no intention of campaigning for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

He is, for the first time, eligible to receive baseball's highest honor next summer.

Possible enshrinement in Cooperstown, N.Y., was one of many topics Clemens covered Saturday at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. The tough Texan, who, often to his detriment, does not back down, didn't sidestep a single question during a 10-minute interview conducted outside the first-base dugout.

Clemens — acquitted June 18 on all perjury charges related to the denial before Congress of using performance-enhancing drugs — was engaging. He talked about the mixed reception received from fans during a recent appearance at Fenway Park. He also offered thoughts on lightning-rod Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, and eldest son Koby making his second tour with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Yet conversation about the Hall topped it all.

“I've said it many times. I don't have a say-so in it,” said Clemens, whose 4,672 strikeouts and 354 wins rank third and ninth, respectively, all-time. “I don't sit on a phone call here or there, or worry about it. I'm extremely busy right now with what I've got going on. If it happens, great. If, because of what one guy said about me and the process I had to go through, if it still sticks with other people (in the Baseball Writers Association of America) that have a vote, then I have no control over that.”

Clemens said protecting his family and ensuring its financial security motivated him to play 24 seasons in the big leagues, seasons spent with the Red Sox (1984-96), Blue Jays (1997, 1998), Yankees (1999-2003, 2007) and Astros (2004-06).

But believe this: He cares about qualifying for Cooperstown.

“It's like your final resting spot. Obviously, it's important,” said Clemens, who turns 50 on Aug. 4. “I look up to the guys that are there. I look up to the guys that aren't there, that played before me, that paved a great way and allowed me to do the things that I love to do on the baseball field — make a lot of money doing it and please a lot of fans while I was out there working hard.”

Working hard. Several times Clemens uttered those words.

It was clear that, after two perjury trials (the first one ended in a mistrial), Clemens stands by his original claim: He extended his career without performance-enhancers of any kind.

He was certainly a workhorse during 12 seasons in Boston. Clemens won 192 games. In 1986 alone, he won the American League MVP, All-Star Game MVP and first of seven Cy Young Awards.

Video: Roger Clemens shares his thoughts on his career and his Hall of Fame chances to Marc Thaler.


Four days after his acquittal, however, he was spotted in Fenway's Monster Seats. The response from fans was anything but warm.

Clemens described a far different experience when “I'm around the town.”

“It's nothing but positive and great, which I expect because, like I said, I worked extremely hard there, when I was in Boston, to hang the pennants we were able to hang and almost a world championship (in '86),” he said.

Baseball fans, many of them Red Sox supporters, remain frustrated with Clemens, nonetheless. Another Texan, Beckett, isn't exactly a Red Sox fan favorite, either.

Beckett is considered the face of the 2011 team's historic September collapse. His struggles have carried over to this season where he owns a 10.69 first-inning ERA.

“I don't pay that close attention to it,” Clemens said of the criticism Beckett receives, much of it for a perceived lack of leadership, particularly with the pitching staff.

Himself a longtime ace, Clemens seemed somewhat dismissive of the notion that a No. 1 pitcher's actions can have a direct influence — good or bad — on a staff.

“If you're in the big leagues, you're there for a reason,” he said. “If you're a starting pitcher, when you get up that morning taking a shower, you should think that you're the ace.”

These days, Clemens upholds his personal-service contract with the Astros. But, when his schedule permits, he enjoys imparting his knowledge to younger players.

“It's very difficult to make that final step to the big leagues and stay there,” he said. “I feel when you're in Double-A, you have the (physical) makeup to be a Major Leaguer, hitter or pitcher. It's just if you have the mindset, and if you can handle failing.”

His son Koby is one example. He returned from High-A Dunedin last Thursday as a catcher. The 25-year-old opened the year as a corner infielder and designated hitter for the Fishers before being demoted.

“Koby's his own man,” Clemens said. “We'll talk situations and things when he asks.”

Koby said before Opening Day that success for him would involve reaching the big leagues and having a fraction of his father's success.

The Rocket's resume is awesome. Ten times he posted between 18 and 24 wins. He retired with a career ERA of 3.12, and pitched 4,916 2/3 innings.

Whether his acquittal translates to Hall of Fame votes remains to be seen. Induction required Clemens be named on 75 percent of ballots submitted.

“If I had it my way, I'd probably wear a (University of Texas) Longhorns visor,” he said when talked turned to the hat he'd prefer accompany a bust that may, or may not, be made. “It'd be just as easy.”

When it comes to Clemens, nothing is.

Marc Thaler is pinch-hitting for New Hampshire Union Leader & Sunday News pro baseball writer Kevin Gray. Send e-mails to mthaler@unionleader.com and follow him on Twitter: @marc_thaler.