By JOHN DELCOS
The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News

NEW YORK - Roger Clemens gets one more chance. One more chance to thrill. One more chance to throw the heat that has given so many people so many warm memories.

One more chance for the legendary pitcher whose achievements and dominance defied time to make it stand still.

All the running, the training, all those pitches could culminate in one final start, figured to be Saturday in Game 3 of the New York Yankees' American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox.

As fate would have it, it would be at Fenway Park, where Clemens laid the foundation of a Hall of Fame career, against Pedro Martinez, the pitcher who replaced him in the hearts of Boston fans.

"This isn't about me. All my personal stuff is over with, that happened during the season," said Clemens as he nodded toward Jason Giambi.

"This is all about the big guy to my left and getting him a ring. It's about getting a ring for the guys that don't have one."

Clemens has never forgotten his Boston roots, and admits he was moved when those who booed him since his departure, cheered him one last time in what was thought would be his final Fenway start.

However, as tantalizing as the Fenway backdrop is - and as much as Clemens cherishes the Martinez challenge - it isn't the essence of this encore to his Farewell Tour.

"We went through that during the regular season," Clemens said. "At this point, the stakes are a little bit higher."

Clemens is pitching for another parade down the Canyon of Heroes, one that will end in Houston, where it will be time to let others sift through the 310 victories, 4,099 strikeouts and six Cy Young Awards to find his place in history while his attention goes from scouting reports and workouts to wife Debbi and his sons.

"I don't know," Clemens said when asked where he thinks that place is. "But, I'm proud of my career and what I've accomplished."

Clemens' numbers are staggering and his reputation legendary - Mike Piazza and his comment about introducing himself to Barry Bonds' elbow pad is as much a part of his Yankee legacy as anything - but his tenure here was more than statistics.

Chuck Knoblauch and Derek Jeter wore catching garb the first time they faced him during batting practice in spring training 1999.

It was a joke, something to ease the tension, to welcome him, but it was also a jab at his headhunting reputation.

Clemens hates that word, saying, "you have to be able to pitch inside."

That's how the Yankees defend him now, saying there's warmth and joy beneath that gameday stubble and glare from underneath his cap.

"I hated him when he pitched against me," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "But there's a lot of little boy in him that really, I think, helps everybody around him.

"Everybody who feels a little tired or a little old can look at Roger Clemens and see how enthusiastic he is."

It's noticed in other dugouts, too.

Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, whose team Clemens overpowered in Game 3 of the AL Division Series, got a glimpse at the All-Star Game in Chicago what Torre has grown to know.

"What struck me was how appreciative he was of having the shot to pitch there," Gardenhire said of Clemens, who made the team as a last-minute replacement for Oakland's Barry Zito, who ironically, would have opposed him Saturday, had the Athletics won.

"He kept saying 'Thank you' to everybody. I thought, 'All he's done, and he's thanking everybody else.' "

Andy Pettitte thanks Clemens for pushing him in their workouts - he says he's never been stronger - for allowing him to pick his brain about pitching, and, most of all, for his friendship.

"What can I say?" Pettitte said about the prospect of not having Clemens around next season. "I've learned so much from being around him and he's always pushing you to get better. It's been a joy having him as a teammate."

Clemens not only won over 300 games, but the career as well. His competitive fires still burn white hot, and he can still do this for a few more years.

However, Clemens is leaving on his terms.

Bob Gibson's knees hurt so bad in the end that it was difficult to walk; Sandy Koufax's arthritic elbow was so painful he couldn't lift his arm to comb his hair.

"These guys walk away for a reason," Torre said. "Gibson's knees were killing him, Koufax's elbow was killing him. When you walk away on your terms, winning 17 games in your last season, well, Koufax left after winning 20, so you can liken it to that."

Clemens says no, but so many athletes have been tempted to recapture the adulation, the competition and the glory.

Clemens wants to pitch in the 2004 Olympics, and since he'll be warmed up if he does, there's speculation he'll come back for a pennant race late next summer. Clemens smiles at the suggestion.

"There's no question we're going to miss him," Torre said. "Is there a chance he'll change his mind? I guess there is, but I don't think that's going to happen. I think that's why he's enjoying this so much now. Just every single minute of every day, he seems to treasure the time."

Including one more game where it all started.