Think they wouldn't be cheering?

"Well, they came and got me out of Texas and I can tell you it's a privilege to be back," he said. "I'll be talking to y'all soon."

How do you think Cardinals fans would react to such an event?

I'd bet on screams, cheers and standing ovations.

I'd also bet that two items associated with the deal would draw little reaction from St. Louis fans: how much he was paid and whether or not Roger would travel with his team when he wasn't pitching.

But you certainly wouldn't know that from the coverage of Clemens signing with the Yankees.

Consider this story, originally reported by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

David Wells is no fan of Clemens' decision to bypass team travel whenever possible.

"I don't think I would ever do it because of the fact I personally think it would disrespect the team and your teammates," Wells said, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "You look at the other players. How are they going to respect you? What are they going to think if you're not there pulling for the team?"

Pitcher Greg Maddux had much the same reaction. "I can't imagine doing that," Maddux said, according to the newspaper. "I like the game. I like the atmosphere. I appreciate what it has to offer. I want to play the whole year."

I certainly respect these veteran players assessment and how they would react. I suspect a lot of other major leaguers would agree. But what's important here isn't how Maddux or Wells or any other big leaguer not in the Bronx would respond -- it's Clemens' new Yankee teammates that are the real litmus test.

"I could care less," Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi told the New York Times regarding Clemens' travel arrangements. "I'd carry his bags for him, just as long as he is on the mound."

Giambi's teammates agree with him. Manager Joe Torre got their support in spring training.

Last year, the Yankees lost out on the Clemens sweepstakes when they wouldn't comply with The Rocket's travel requests. The Astros did and Clemens stayed in Houston.

The newest Yankee will have a prorated salary of $28 million. That works out to $4.5 million a month.

Depending on the exact date he returns, Clemens will make about $18 million this season and will cost the Yankees an additional luxury tax of $7.4 million.

The inevitable criticism here is that it's all about the money.

Can't deny that money played a factor here. But Clemens was going to make big bucks, regardless of whether he signed with New York, Boston or Houston.

But what is also undeniable is The Rocket's desire to win another World Series title (he won his only two with New York), and the commitment demonstrated here by the Yankees.

"The sole mission of this organization is to win a world championship," Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said over the weekend.

Isn't that what every fan wants to hear from its owners?