Roger Clemens witnesses son Kody Clemens' first playoff hit, RBI with the Phillies in the NLDS

Roger Clemens, who at 62 still seemed fit enough to throw a few innings of relief for the Phillies, left the executive suite at Citizens Bank Park beaming with happiness. Clemens isn't a Mets fan — ask Mike Piazza — and he just watched his kid's team lose a playoff game in the last two innings.

Why was “Rocket Roger” so happy?

Because this boy, Kody, the youngest of his four sons, got his first postseason hit and RBI in the ninth inning. The Phillies lost Game 1 of the National League Division Series 6-2, but Kody pinch-hit Johan Rojas with two outs in the ninth inning with JT Realmuto on base.

Clemens received two balls from Ryne Stanek, observed a hit and then fouled four times in a row. He grounded out ball three and then fired a 97 mph fastball down the right field line for a double.

On a night filled with terrible Phillies offense, Clemens was probably the best.

“It was a good shot,” Kody said. “I'm just happy that I felt comfortable there. That was a good feeling. Yes, there were a few nerves, but nothing bad.”

It took a long time. Kody is 28 years old. He is a left-handed corner infielder and outfielder with moderate power; Over the last four Triple-A seasons, he hit .259 with 63 home runs and an OPS of .838. That was enough to give him 146 major league appearances over the last three seasons, the last two with the Phillies, who traded for him in 2023. A favorite of Phillies manager Rob Thomson, Clemens hit .219 in 43 games this season, but his OPS rose to .706, he hit five home runs and he showed a knack for hitting big in big moments. That's why Thomson fought to make Clemens the final player on the Phillies' playoff roster.

None of those big moments compare to a playoff appearance during Red October in the bench. Roger prepared Kody for the moment.

“He just told me to play the same game I always play,” Kody said. “Obviously the lights are a little brighter, the crowd is a little louder. “Just play the same game you've played your whole life.”

Roger has as much experience of big moments as any player alive.

By the time Roger was Kody's age, he had won three of his seven Cy Young Awards and won an MVP award. He played for the Red Sox in baseball's best city, then for the Blue Jays, who won back-to-back Cys, then for the Yankees during their last dominant run, then for Houston in his home state. For 20 years, Clemens was baseball's biggest star and a lightning rod for controversy – especially because his involvement with performance-enhancing drugs ruined his Hall of Fame candidacy.

” READ MORE: Hayes: The heartless Phillies collapse again in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Mets, like they did in the NLCS last year

He saw hundreds of players shaking their big moment and he wanted Kody to enjoy his.

“I told him, 'Don't take it for granted, because a lot of great players have played for a long time and have never experienced postseason play,'” Clemens told the Albany Times-Union a few weeks ago. “So I just want him to enjoy the moment.”

And boy, did they both like it.

Even in defeat.

Even to the Mets.

“I’m thrilled he’s here,” Kody said, putting on his street cap and heading for the door. “I can't wait to see him. Haven't seen him yet.

“I mean, definitely. It’s cool for me and it’s cool for him.”