Sox fans short-fused on Rocket

Torture seems to fit. A never-ending torture is perhaps more apt. Roger Clemens beats the Red Sox wearing a Yankee uniform for victory number 299. On Monday afternoon, Memorial Day (how appropriate), he is scheduled to start against the Sox at Yankee Stadium. Awaiting him is the magic number for MLB pitchers: 300.

A total of 192 of the Rocket’s wins came in a Red Sox uniform that he wore for 13 seasons. As with Pedro Martinez, Sox fans were convinced that a World Series banner would be raised due to the very measure of his presence. Then there came 1986 and the Mets and the ground ball and more torture.

Clemens went to Toronto for a spell after his days in Boston. That fact is largely forgotten now, at least by Sox fans. Once Clemens put on the Yankee uniform, nothing existed between Fenway and Ruth’s house except grinding mixed emotions.

On Wednesday in Boston he was lustily booed as he walked to the bullpen to warm up. Security guards lined the fence above the Yankee bullpen. On this night, no fans would hang over the railing, railing at the opposing pitcher as he warmed up.

He was booed again as he headed for the dugout to start. He was regaled with names not often approved by puritan hearts, but hey, look at the uniform he’s wearing.

Clemens has put up some impressive numbers for the fans and is the active leader in career wins (299), games started (583), innings pitched (4,131 2/3), strikeouts (3,976), complete games (116) and shutouts (45).

Clemens maintains, “The fans have been great to me. You can write what you want. Walk around with me when I’m out in the streets. It’s totally different.”

He’s right. It’s all part of the grinding emotions.

Clemens was the complete hero in the uniform New England sports fans live their summers around. He pounded out victories. No opponent laughed about the poor old Sox when Clemens strode in from right field. He was the stopper of losing streaks, the big game pitcher, THE PRESENSE.

He loved Boston and Boston loved him. That’s the heartbreak. Neither side really wanted the love fest to end. The Sox made the mistake of believing he might be running out of arm. Clemens made the mistake of thinking he might not be wanted in Beantown anymore.

So now Sox fans remember all the good times, but can’t stand the fact the rest of Clemens’ good times aren’t taking place in Boston.

A Yankee fan in New York asked me Thursday, “Which hat will he choose to take to the Hall of Fame?”

Even though Hall of Fame officials now decide that, the very fact the fan asked the question belies the fact even Yankee fans realize there was someone else before the Yankee-Clemens marriage. There is an implicit understanding by Yankee fans that a love affair gone wrong did not end the love.

However, on Monday, if his pitching hand is OK, Clemens will do what he always does and what renders the greatest heartbreak. He will charge to the mound with warrior strides and do what he was born to do, beat an opponent.

Sure, it’s still only a game, but in New England, a game that in the grandest traditions of baseball resonates in summer as surely as the waves lap the beach and the loon’s cry fills the sunset.

He was supposed to be part of those summers – forever. Times change. Memories last.

Old Town native Gary Thorne is an ESPN and NBC sportscaster.