MLB Legend Will Be On ESPN's Broadcast Opening Day

ESPN's broadcast of the Houston Astros' 2023 season opener next week will reportedly feature a special guest in the booth alongside announcer Karl Ravech and analysts Eduardo Perez and Buster Olney.

The Houston Chronicle reports seven-time Cy Young winner and former Astros pitcher Roger Clemens will join the trio as the Astros host the White Sox to kick off their World Series defense, according to the Houston Chronicle's Matt Young. Clemens will serve as the broadcast replacement for David Cone, who will participate in the Yankees' Opening Day broadcast on the YES Network. 

"We've enjoyed working with Roger during his impressive KayRod Cast appearances and can't wait for him to join our opening night broadcast team as special guest game analyst," ESPN senior vice president Mark Gross told Young. "The insights Roger has gained from his storied career, including his ties to Houston, will help inform the audience as the Astros begin their title defense and the sport begins a new era of gameplay."

Clemens, 60, still lives in the Houston area. He attended Spring Woods High School, then pitched at San Jacinto College and the University of Texas before his MLB career. He spent three of the final four seasons of his 24-year career in Houston, a trio of impressive campaigns from 2004-06. Clemens won the American League Cy Young award in 2004, then was even better the next year as he posted a 1.87 ERA in 211 1/3 innings. Clemens tallied 354 wins and 4,672 strikeouts across his illustrious career, though he has still not been enshrined in Cooperstown due to speculation regarding performance-enhancing drugs.