Houston Astros: Top 10 Starting Pitchers in Franchise History

5 of 13

9th Best All-Time Astros Starter

Nov 14, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Roger Clemen stands on the Houston Cougars sideline during the game against the Memphis Tigers at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Roger Clemens by Colin Gay

Coming in at a significant time in Houston Astros history, Roger “The Rocket” Clemens brought not only a winning attitude to this Astros time but also reestablished himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball in the process.

More from Astros All-Time Lists

The shocking part of Clemens’ success was how late in his career it actually was. After his three seasons in an Astros uniform, he pitched one more year as a Yankee and then retired. In his three seasons as an Astro, Clemens, who was in his 41-43 age seasons, finished with a record of 38-18 with an ERA of 2.40. 2004 was his best season in an Astros uniform finishing 18-4 with 218 strikeouts and a 2.98 ERA. He won his seventh and final Cy Young award that season and finished eighth in MVP voting. In 2005, Clemens led the American League with a 1.87 ERA and hits per nine innings with 6.4.

Clemens’ presence in the locker room was WAR in 2004, his first year with the Astros, was at 5.7 which was his highest since his 1998 Cy Young award winning season with the Blue Jays. In 2005, Clemens posted the highest runners left on base percentage of his career, which was at 82.3% and had the lowest BABIP average since 1986 with the Red Sox at .243.

With Clemens’ performance being at such a high level in these three years, it really affected the winning ways of this team finishing in second place in each of his seasons including two NLCS appearance in 2004 and 2005 and a World Series appearance in 2005.

With so much success at such a late time in his illustrious career, Clemens cements himself into Astros history as one of their top ten pitchers of all time.

Next: 8th Best All-Time Astros Starter

Home/Astros All-Time Lists