Family fun at Fenway: Clemens throws out 1st pitch to son, Kody

BOSTON -- Of all the pitches Roger Clemens fired in 200 career starts at Fenway Park, perhaps none had the sentimental value of the one he threw at the age of 63 on Friday night.

With Clemens standing on the mound he once owned, he threw a ceremonial first pitch to his son Kody, who started the game in right field for the Twins.

“Oh yeah, I had a little two-seamer, didn't slip, didn't tear anything. Home plate seems to get further and further away every year. I don't know what that's about,” quipped Roger Clemens, who is tied with Cy Young for the most wins (192) in a Red Sox uniform.

The timing couldn’t have been better. Friday’s giveaway at Fenway? The Roger Clemens double bobblehead to commemorate both of his 20-strikeout games.

On April 29, 1986, Clemens became the first pitcher in history to strike out 20 batters in a nine-inning Major League game. A decade later, in what proved to be his final win in a Sox uniform, Clemens tied his own record.

• These pitchers struck out 20 batters in a game

Three others (Kerry Wood, Randy Johnson and Max Scherzer) would later tie the feat. But only Clemens did it more than once.

Clemens has learned quickly that this unique bobblehead is in high demand.

“It was great. Got to see the bobblehead and everything that they’re doing. I thought they did a real nice job. It’s in high demand. I mean, everybody in Houston, Kody and the Twins [players said they wanted one],” Clemens said. “I guess even the players are collecting them big time now too. So I gave some [to Red Sox home clubhouse manager] Tom [McLaughlin] and them in the clubhouse, and a few of the pitchers with the Red Sox, so it’s been a fun day.”

If there was animosity when Clemens left the Red Sox after the 1996 season when then-general manager Dan Duquette suggested the pitcher was entering the twilight of his career, that is all gone now.

“Always good to come back,” Clemens said. “I love it that the Sox postponed [the bobblehead night] to this day, when we could all come up and watch Kody play a little bit. Got a pretty busy summer. So this is a nice treat.”

It was a Fenway night Clemens enjoyed with many family members.

“[My oldest son] Koby’s here tonight, so he loved it,” said Clemens. “The grandbabies are here, so yeah, the Griswolds are in full force at Fenway Park tonight.”

While Clemens, who owns a record-setting seven Cy Young Awards, has done things few players will ever accomplish, Kody Clemens has at least a couple of things he can hold over his father.

“To see him where I made my living is fun,” said Roger. “He’s always messing with me now because he said he's done two things in professional ball that I never will. He struck out [Shohei] Ohtani and he hit a home run here at Fenway.”

As Clemens walked around Fenway, he did so wearing one of the green City Connect jerseys the Red Sox activated last year.

He had the familiar No. 21 on his back with “Rocket Man” imprinted on it.

Nobody has worn 21 for the Red Sox since Clemens left. Might it be retired on the right-field facade at some point?

“I don't have any control over that,” said Clemens. “I had 13 wonderful years here, but I love the number. I thought it was really cool when I came out of Texas and they had it hanging in my locker, so it's been a great number for me.”