How come Curt Schilling's pitching changed so much compared to Roger Clemens at the same age?

Question

I see Curt's velocity has decreased from 2004 and it's affected his pitching. How come Clemens can be at the top of his game even at an older age?

Answer 1

The Mitchell Commission's report will answer this question before the first of the year.
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Answer 2

Clemens isn't at the top of his game, but he's been more willing to accept the fact that his fastball isn't going to punch out many hitters anymore - and everyone expects a splitter or two every at-bat.

Schilling is known to be a very proud pitcher - if he threw a 50mph fastball he'd still try to strike out Pujols with it. Location is also an issue - as you get older you become more prone to leaving your elbow up, opening your shoulder, etc etc...

Also, if this proves to be true, steroid usage by Clemens would have made all the difference in the world. Less recovery time, keeping your strength up... just two of the positives that steroids can give a player (along with quite a slew of negatives).

Schilling also recently said in an interview before Game 6 of the ALCS that his stuff is better than the "bloody sock" game... if this is true, then it's all about locating his pitches and changing speeds. When he was hit around a little in the early innings he kept riding his fastballs... around the 3rd or 4th inning he started working in his changeup/other breaking pitches more and saw more success.

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Answer 3

Clemens really isnt at the top of his game.

I saw him when he first broke in to the majors, and he had & still does have great mechanic as a pitcher, but that man brought some serious heat. Like upper 90's consistantly, even before he developed his split finger fast ball.

I also think that Clemens is a couple years older ( I could be mistaken ) but with the amount of retirements that he has had & the time he goes out on the DL every year, I dont think he has pitched as much as Schilling has in the past three years. Just my opinion.

Answer 4

First, Clemens is clearly not at the top of his game. He tried to be a power pitcher and his body broke down, he lost games and had a high ERA.
Curt Schilling stated that he has been working closely with pitching coach John Farrell to reinvent himself as a control pitcher with a variety of pitches. If you saw him two weeks ago in the clinching game in Anaheim or last night against the Indians, he pitched very few balls compared to strikes and had no walks. That is how he is winning as a 40 year old.

Answer 5

I have to strongly disagree. Neither pitcher is at the top of their game. Sometimes it depresses me how dramatically bad Clemens was this year. His velocity has dropped a lot. And he really struggled with location

Clemens is still better than most pitchers, but he's nothing like he use to be. His age has finally gotten to him. Remember that August game against the White Sox? 8 runs in the 2nd inning...shortest outing of his career.

Answer 6

Schilling didn't do the 'roids. Clemens name will come up in the Mitchell investigation. Count on it. He's as guilty as Bonds.

Answer 7

everyone's body is different. usually guys who have the fastball as their best pitch need to develop off-speed pitches as their career gets into it's later stages, otherwise when they loose velocity they will get creamed.
look at guys like Greg Maddox - same thing. the guy throws junk but masterfully - knowing the opposing batters weaknesses and capitalizing on them.
Clemens is a unique type of pitcher.

Answer 8

schilling has had way more injuries than clemens

Answer 9

Clemons yuses juice .. Schilling uses his body

Answer 10

Uh, steroid usage by Clemens???

Answer 11

Try ROIDS Clemons has.Shill has done it Au natural,which means his velocity dropped off,and he has to do it with accuracy