JT the Brick

Gordon Gekko would be proud of Roger Clemens. Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for best actor for his portrayal of the financial tycoon in the 1987 movie “Wall Street”. In the movie, Gekko recited a famous speech for stockholders in which he stated, “Greed is good. Greed works. Greed clarifies.”

I instantly thought of that scene when Roger Clemens finally made up his mind and signed a one-year contract with the Houston Astros.

The city of Houston can officially refer to May 31 as Roger Clemens Day and eventually hope it becomes the next state holiday. Roger would probably enjoy this distinction, because he has the biggest ego in all of professional sports.

Never has an athlete been so selfish to his teammates and current employer than Clemens. He has the best situation possible as he can take his time making sure he is ready for his first major-league start of the season while the Astros trail the St. Louis Cardinals by several games in the National League Central.

As Clemens sat back and enjoyed the national attention, while working on his golf game, the Astros compiled a 9-18 road record and are in third place in their division. I mention the dismal road record because Clemens also wanted to make sure, that if he re-signed with Houston, he wouldn't have to attend every road game so he could spend more time at home with his family.

I don't recall Michael Jordan or Jerry Rice insisting on this type of special treatment when they signed their last contract while looking towards retirement. Only Clemens could ask for and get a contract worth upwards of $12 million for half a season with a team that still will struggle to make the playoffs. Not a bad way to earn a living, and Clemens knows it.

I thought Clemens might shock the world and sign with the Boston Red Sox to fuel his massive ego and clean up his legacy with the franchise that put him on the map. Clemens could have given Red Sox Nation one more chance to forgive him for how he ended his 13-year relationship with the franchise.

A farewell tour in a Rex Sox uniform would have made the transition much easier for him when he eventually entered the Hall of Fame. We now can only dream about what it could have sounded like at Fenway Park in October with Clemens on the mound against the Yankees with a trip to the World Series on the line.

Speaking of the Yankees, I'd love to know how hard general manager Brian Cashman pushed to get the Rocket back in pinstripes. If it weren’t for the Yankees, Clemens would still be looking for his first World Series ring and the distinction of being a great pitcher when it mattered most. His two championships (1999, 2000) defined him as a big game pitcher on baseball's biggest stage, Yankee Stadium.

If he had signed with the Yankees, Clemens would have been all but guaranteed an opportunity to go out a winner and be considered on of the greatest Yankees ever. Neither Boston nor New York would let Clemens have his relaxed road travel schedule, and that might have played a significant role with him re-signing in Houston.

FREE VIDEO 'I've got deep roots in Boston' May 31: Clemens discusses why he chose to sign with Houston and not Boston or New York. NBC Sports

Clemens will have an immediate positive impact for the Astros. He will inspire his teammates and help get the most out of Andy Pettitte, who has struggled through the first two months of the season.

I talked to Pettitte on Tuesday night after he won against St. Louis, and I could sense he was excited about Clemens rejoining the team. The rest of the staff also could benefit from the eventual dominance of Clemens, who will instill a sense of urgency in every pitcher, including the young and inexperienced starters who have struggled this season.                  

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It is obvious Clemens enjoys the process or retiring and the subsequent massive media attention that comes along with him trying to make up his mind about his future.

This was simply a business decision for Clemens, who has the right to secure the financial future of his family after paying his dues and deciding to put his body on the line as he is about to turn 44.

Several people benefit from Clemens returning to Houston, including agents Alan and Randy Hendricks, who continue do an outstanding job for their client. Clemens deserves to be one of the highest paid athletes in professional sports, and his agents always get the best deal available for their most high-profile superstar.

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The Clemens' family benefits as well.  Debbie Clemens continues to shine not only as a mother and wife but also as a tireless worker when it comes to raising money for children's charities. The Roger Clemens Foundation is one of the premiere charitable foundations in all of sports and his ability to continue to pitch will only help his foundation raise more money to help kids.

Drayton McLane (team owner) and Tim Purpura (general manager) pulled the trigger and made the deal. They have rewarded the fans of Houston for their loyalty and have made it clear to every other owner and general manager in baseball that they want to win the World Series.