Rocket was striking

On the night Roger Clemens set a major league record by striking out 20 batters in a nine-inning game, the game was not broadcast on AM radio and the Globe had one reporter at the game.

 GALLERY: A look back at that night ...

 ERIC WILBUR: Twenty, plus one more ...

 Clemens fans a record 20

Smoke Got In Your Eyes. In one of the most sensational pitching performances in baseball history, Red Sox right-hander Roger Clemens last night struck out a major league record 20 batters en route to a three-hit, 3-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners. (By Dan Shaughnessy, Globe Staff; 4/30/86)

 Clemens did it with control

Five days later, the numbers still cause the eye to blink in disbelief: 20 strikeouts; no walks. (By Dan Shaughnessy, Globe Staff; 5/04/86)

 A whiff of immortality

The daze continued into the next day. Roger Clemens awoke -- well, didn't exactly awake, because he never really had slept -- into a lovely strangeness. (By Leigh Montville, Globe Staff; 5/01/86)

 Prediction was just a little off

Years after Mike Ruth retires from the NFL and the Celtics hoist No. 33 to the rafters, Hot Stove folks from Bedford to Bellows Falls, Vt., will recall the night Roger Clemens rode into the baseball record books. (By Dan Shaughnessy, Globe Staff; 4/30/86)

 APRIL 30, 1986: Globe front page

 APRIL 30, 1986: Globe sports page