Today’s card of the day features Roger Clemens. Clemens is our featured player today in remembrance of the rare feat he accomplished on this date in in 1986. As a member of the Boston Red Sox, he struck out 20 Seattle Mariners in route to only the 2nd 20 strikeout game in Major League history. The then 23-year old, was the first pitcher ever to strike out 20 batters in a nine-inning game. He went on to finish the year with a 24-4 record, a 2.48 ERA and 238 strikeouts in route to his first Cy Young Award.
As of today, the feat has been accomplished a total of 5 times and Clemens is the only pitcher to have done it twice. His second 20-strikeout game came in September of 1996 against the Tigers in his third-to-last start with the Red Sox.
While The Rocket’s collectibility has taken a hit due to his involvement in the steroid scandal of the 1990’s and early 2000’s, he still has a pretty big following in the collecting community.
This 1985 Topps Rookie Card can be picked up for as little as $3 on COMC (in poor condition) or ungraded on eBay for about $5.