A new chapter opened on a cool Saturday night in the hallowed corridors of Fenway Park, where legends are carved into the Green Monster and the echoes of former victories hang in the air. The Boston Red Sox, rich in history and legacy, faced the Minnesota Twins, keen to snap a four-game losing run. Watching intently from a luxury box along the first-base line was Roger Clemens, the Red Sox icon who carved his own legacy at this ballpark. This time, he was there not as a player but as a proud father, witnessing his son create a special moment of his own.

The game advanced intensely; every pitch and swing weighed the possible win or loss. Leading 1-0, the Red Sox appeared ready to keep their lead. But baseball, with its erratic brilliance, had different ideas. With the score locked at 1-1 in the sixth inning, a player came up to the plate, bat in hand, eyes fixed, and history in his veins. He launched a two-run home run over the right-field wall, ultimately giving the Twins a 4-3 triumph.

The crowd’s response as the ball flew into the stands was a combination of wonder and disbelief. And who was the man behind all the gasps that filled the air? Kody Clemens! And watching with a glowing pride on his face was his father in the luxury box. But this time, Roger was not there to cheer for his former team, where he spent 13 glorious years. Why? Because his son was on the other side.

Watching his son hit a homer in his first game at Fenway Park truly delighted Roger. He could not contain his enthusiasm. “Let’s go! Proud dad moment,” he tweeted. This proud father-son moment caught the attention of MLB, which later posted the clip of Roger cheering for Kody from the box on its official Instagram account.

“What a moment,” read the MLB’s caption. “Kody Clemens homers in his first game at Fenway Park … of course Roger Clemens was there to go crazy for it!”

Kody was dealt to the Twins on April 26 after being designated for assignment by the Philadelphia Phillies. His journey to this point has been marked by determination. It was his fourth MLB season with 15 career home runs and a .196 batting average. And the Homer against the Red Sox became a memorable one.

As the game got intrupped due to rain, Roger couldn’t contain his happiness when asked about Kody’s homer. He said, “Just think about — I put myself in his shoes — even though he’s my kid, he’s here at Fenway, and he obviously wants to perform well, hitting a home run would be the ultimate thing to do and he goes up there up in a clutch situation and does it.” 

Not only his father but his mom was also thrilled. Roger’s wife, Debbie Clemens, called the event “so crazy” and said, “It was just great being here and for his first time being able to play.” For Twins, it was everything they could have asked for.

And for the Red Sox, the challenges don’t seem to stop with the loss. An injury to their star player has added yet another challenge.

Weekend of contrasts at Fenway Park

It was a weekend of emotional highs and lows at Fenway Park. There was Clemen’s homer celebrations, and then there was first baseman Triston Casas‘s injury. Yes, another injury. He ruptured his left patellar tendon on Friday against the Twins, ending his season. After crossing first base, the 25-year-old hurt himself running out a ground ball. The team confirmed he will need surgery and likely not return this season; he was stretchered off the field.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said, “You feel for Triston, given what he’s been through the last two years here. It seems like these injuries they pop up in kind of unconventional ways. And unfortunately, this is a serious one that’s going to keep him out for a long time.”

Under current conditions, the Red Sox are examining numerous first base options. The Red Sox quickly called up Abraham Toro from Triple-A Worcester and used Romy Gonzalez to replace Casas. Rafael Devers‘ possible transfer to first base would free up the designated hitter role for Masataka Yoshida, who is recovering from shoulder surgery in the winter.

Baseball is unpredictable, and Casas’ injury and Clemens’ home run show how tragedy and triumph can affect players and fans.