Clemens will be on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in December

Clemens will be on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in December. But he could reset the clock on that vote if he pitches in the major leagues. There is a five-year eligibility waiting period after a player retires.

Former Houston Astros general manager Tal Smith, a consultant for the Skeeters, said Clemens looked impressive in a Monday workout and still yearns to pitch. The Astrosalso attended the workout, but owner Jim Crane told the Houston Chronicle they had no current plans to sign him.

Clemens scored a major legal victory in June when he was acquitted of charges he had lied to Congress under oath when he denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

I salute Andy Murray, my new favorite tennis player

And Phelps didn't whine about second and fourth. He didn't complain. He did what champions do. He dug down and won two more individual golds. I hope to see him swim in Rio in 2016, regardless of what he says. But I won't mind if his mother stays home.

The two most inspiring stories of the Games are the gold medal in judo by the American Kayla Harrison, who was abused by her judo coach at age 13, and, of course, the remarkable showing of 400 runner Oscar Pistorius of South Africa. The photo of him in the starting blocks, pushing off on artificial legs, to me says so much. This man can run 400 meters in less than 46 seconds!

I salute Andy Murray, my new favorite tennis player. (Hasta la vista, Rafa!) I love his honesty, his humility, his resilience. He was so devastated at Wimbledon just a few weeks ago but came back to beat the same opponent, Roger Federer, on the same court. His coach, Ivan Lendl, had told Murray after the loss at Wimbledon that he'd never again be under as much pressure, and Murrayafter Sunday's gold medal said it was true. He said his one big goal remains to win the U.S. Open. Maybe in a few weeks!