Clemens the class of Classic

FULLERTON, Calif. -- ''He's more like Jesus than I thought," said Chipper Jones, when asked about the legend of Roger Clemens. ''There will be guys talking smack in the clubhouse and Roger walks in and . . . it's like the parting of the Red Sea. He's like E.F. Hutton; when he speaks, people listen."

Clemens has probably never heard himself described as Jesus and E.F. Hutton in the same breath. But understand that in the World Baseball Classic, the players, managers, and coaches are in awe of two people in this tournament -- Japan manager Sadaharu Oh, the legendary home run hitter, and Clemens.

Adding to that legend is the possibility Clemens might be pitching for the last time tonight when the United States faces Mexico.

As Clemens sat on a folding chair yesterday before a Team USA workout at Cal State Fullerton, he had no idea whether he would pitching for nothing or trying to help the US into the semifinals in San Diego. But he knew one thing: ''Whatever the situation is, I'm not holding anything back," he said. ''Whether I'm pitching to get us through to the next round or pitching because of the USA on my shirt, I'm pitching as hard as I can for as long as I can."

As it turns out, he will be pitching to help Team USA reach the semifinals, after Korea helped keep the Americans' hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Japan last night.

''There's no better big-game pitcher in baseball than Roger Clemens," said US manager Buck Martinez. ''The other night when we were playing Korea, Roger was studying the Mexican hitters' hitting charts. He is into it. We certainly hope to give him some run support and let him do his thing."

Clemens has hinted at retirement but he revealed yesterday that he plans on being at Arlington Stadium on Opening Day April 3 for the Red Sox-Rangers game. They happen to be two of the teams trying to persuade him to pitch this season. While there he'll no doubt catch up with old friend Al Nipper, the Sox' pitching coach, and he hopes to meet Boston righthander Jonathan Papelbon, who has drawn comparisons to Clemens.

''I've heard a lot of good things about Papelbon," said Clemens. ''I haven't had a chance to watch him because I've been playing, but I hope to get a good look. I know Nip is excited about him."

Sox CEO Larry Lucchino continues to be close-lipped on the subject of Clemens. The Rangers, meanwhile, are putting on the full-court press. Owner Tom Hicks invited Clemens to the team's training site last week, and then Hicks went to Scottsdale, Ariz., to watch Clemens pitch against South Africa. Right now, Clemens is trying to be all things to everyone pursuing him.

Clemens has been like a coach/father figure to many of the Team USA players. He's spent a good deal of time with Florida Marlins lefthander Dontrelle Willis, who has suffered both of the US's losses in this tournament. Clemens has tried to get Willis to think positively, and offered Willis advice as he pitched a side session yesterday.

''When Roger says, 'Let's get it on,' you know he means business. It's time for all of us to get serious," Jones said. ''It's going to be a great honor for me to play third base [against Mexico] with Roger on the mound. It'll be one of those things I can tell my grandchildren -- that I played with Roger Clemens. Just being able to throw the ball back to him and the possibility it might be his last start, just thinking about that gives me chills."

Clemens helped save Team USA when it needed a win in the first round, allowing one hit in 4 1/3 innings in a 17-0 win over South Africa. Clemens will likely have a tougher time against a Mexico lineup that includes major leaguers such as Vinny Castilla, Jorge Cantu, Karim Garcia, and Erubiel Durazo. On the other hand, Mexico has already been eliminated from semifinal contention.

''I'm not going to let the guys down," said Clemens. ''I'm going to pitch with a purpose, and I know all the guys will do the same thing."

Afterward?

''You know, it doesn't matter when I step away," said Clemens. ''I will miss competing, but I won't be too far from the game."