Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox gave away Roger Clemens bobbleheads to fans the same day.

Legendary Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens found himself in a familiar place Friday night.

The 1986 American League MVP threw out the first pitch from Fenway Park’s pitcher’s mound ahead of Boston’s game against the Minnesota Twins. Clemens donned a custom No. 21 “Rocket Man” Red Sox City Connect jersey.

Instead of throwing the baseball to a Red Sox player or a former teammate, Clemens’s battery mate was an even more special person: his son and Twins position player Kody Clemens.

The elder Clemens, aged 63, didn’t throw a perfect pitch, but said he was just glad not to injure himself.

“A little two-seamer. Didn’t slip, didn’t tear anything,” Clemens said after the fact (via The Boston Globe’s Tim Healey). “Home plate seems to get farther and farther away every year.”

Clemens won seven total Cy Young Awards across his illustrious 24-year MLB career. He won three during his 13 seasons with the Red Sox (1986, ‘87, and ‘91).

Clemens also struck out 20 batters in a single game twice: once on April 29, 1986, and again on Sept. 18, 1996, in his final season with the Red Sox. Boston gave away Clemens bobbleheads commemorating this feat Friday with the Red Sox Hall of Famer in attendance.

Clemens signed autographs for fans outside of Fenway before heading into the ballpark.

Kody, 30, is playing his second season with the Twins. He was drafted by and previously played for the Detroit Tigers as well as the Philadelphia Phillies. He primarily plays first base, but has various infield and outfield experience since entering the league in 2022.

In his first career game at Fenway last May, the younger Clemens hit a home run to help the Twins win in front of his father.

Roger was proud as could be of his son when asked about it.

“It was amazing,” Roger said. “Just think about — I put myself in his shoes — even though he’s my kid, he’s here at Fenway, and he obviously wants to perform well, hitting a home run would be the ultimate thing to do and he goes up there in a clutch situation and does it. Just a great moment and I’m glad we’re here.”