Not the Roger Boston used to know

A far fatter, weaker, cockier Roger Clemens faces the team he started his Major League career with tonight as stock in the Red Sox goes in the opposite direction of the team to which the Rocket has hitched his wide wagon this year in what quickly shaped up to be a failed attempt to win another World Series ring.

Like their decisions to jettison Johnny Damon and Pedro Martinez, who absolutely fell apart physically after leaving the Sox for greener greenbacks with the Mets and Yankees, Theo Epstein and Co. have got to be thrilled at their decision not to outbid the Yankees for Roger's services this year.

So tonight the Sox will be sending Cy Young candidate Josh Beckett to the mound to face a future Hall of Famer whose $28 million salary this year has produced a 5-5 record, 4.34 ERA and 6 runs given up in five innings in his last start.