Despite troubles that dog Clemens, ‘Rocket’ inspires humble, hardworking son Koby

Facing Roger Clemens in a simulated spring training game in 2006, Koby Clemens belted the first pitch he saw from his famous father out of the ballpark.

But in Koby's next at-bat, the "Rocket" brushed back his oldest son with an inside fastball.

"It definitely looked high and tight. That's just him on the mound trying to compete. That's just how it is," Koby said. "I smiled about it."

In contrast to his father -- a gritty seven-time Cy Young Award winner who cultivated a surly image during his 24-year career -- Koby Clemens, a corner infielder and outfielder for Triple-A Oklahoma City, comes across as humble, easygoing and unassuming.

"He's the best. You'd never know who his dad is," Oklahoma City manager Tony DeFrancesco said Wednesday before the RedHawks' 7-6 win over the 51s at Cashman Field. "He comes to work every day and plays the game right."

Clemens, who walked to lead off the ninth inning, leads Oklahoma City in home runs (14) and RBIs (49), while a recent slump has dropped his batting average to .229.

But the 24-year-old slugger has had to overcome more difficult things than a slump, as his family in recent years has dealt with the fallout from his father's alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs and subsequent charges of lying about it to Congress.

"At first it was tough, but we've gone through a lot these last few years with all the stuff that's been going on," he said. "We've become a much tighter-unit family. Not that we weren't before, but we've become closer more so than ever. That's all we need."

Hecklers have called Koby Clemens the "Bottle Rocket," among other things, but he understands that comes with the territory and said he has learned to ignore the criticism that has surrounded his father.

"It doesn't affect me at all," he said. "Everybody's got their own opinions and can think whatever they like. But my dad's my dad, and anything anybody else says is not going to affect me at all."

Koby, who hit .345 with 22 homers and 121 RBIs for Class-A Lancaster in 2009 en route to being named the Astros' minor league offensive player of the year, said he takes refuge on the field.

"When I'm out here, I'm able to get away and think about playing ball, and stay away from all the negativity and the media side of it and whatever people's opinions are," he said.

Koby, whose three brothers' first names also start with the letter "K" for strikeout, said he always has been close to his father and speaks with him two or three times a day.

Roger Clemens has thrown batting practice to the RedHawks several times this season.

"Roger's been to the ballpark many a time and has been in the clubhouse. He's very positive," DeFrancesco said. "He's trying to see his son get to the major leagues like any other parent would."

The "Rocket," who will celebrate his 49th birthday today, was in attendance with his wife, Debbie, and former Red Sox teammate and Summerlin resident Marty Barrett.

Koby pitched some in high school in his hometown of Houston, but always preferred hitting.

"I wasn't really a pitcher. I didn't have any secondary pitches," he said. "I could throw hard, but I didn't know where it was going."

In a show of support for his father, Koby has worn No. 21 the past three seasons. But he started his career in 2005 wearing No. 22.

"People would say, 'Did you do that to be one better than your father?' " he said. "And I said, 'No, it's for Emmitt Smith.' "

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.